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Bishop
Federico Escaler,|
Father
Chito Unson,
Sis.
Cecile Torres - Provincial, Religious of the Good Shepherd
Sis.
Guada Bautista - Superior of the Baguio Community
Nephews,
nieces and their families, relatives, former students and friends of Sister
Mary Assumption. . .
 I stand
before you today to express what I believe Sister Mary Assumption would have
wanted to tell you if she were given the last chance to deliver her departing
words before we take her to her final resting place this afternoon - - -
1.
To all those who have come to pay their final respect during the past 3
days and are present here today to celebrate her joyful homecoming to her
Heavenly Father, to all those who have been remembering her in all their
prayers during her lifetime especially during the last few years of her life,
thank you very much;
2.
To all the PRESENT AND RETIRED STAFF AND WORKERS of the Mountain Maid
Training Center in Baguio, thank you for always giving Sister Assumption
your best, in whatever duties and work assigned to you, as she had always reminded
you: "that you must always love your work, no matter how small or
routinary it may be so that you will never be bored and at the end of the
day, no matter how tired you may be, you will be happy for a work well
done". This explains the smile and joy of serving we see in all of
you, whether it be in the Production Area or in the Store to serve your
customers;
3.
To all her NEPHEWS, NIECES AND THEIR FAMILIES. "Dacal a
Salamat. Kaluguran da ko ngan"!
(Thank
you very much. I love you all). For all your love and concern
manifested through letters, calls, visits and other expressions of love,
whether it be a pack of chicharon, her favorite Tamales, balut or a bag of
chocolate kisses. Tia Aveling always treasured news and
"cuentos" from home because most of her assignments
were far from Manila or Pampanga;
4.
To BISHOP ESCALER, whom she fondly called FREDDIE. Thank you for
always being there for Tia Aveling.
You
always made it a point to celebrate with her , many memorable events of her
Religious Life. Despite being much younger than her she would always seek
your advise, whether they be personal or otherwise, and always you were there
to listen and enlighten her;
5.
To her CAREGIVERS. Fe, who has been with Sister for the last 14
years, Melba, Cherry and Lerma, MARAMING MARAMING SALAMAT! Kung sinasabi
ninyo sa akin na "mabait na pasyente si Sister", yun ay dahil
pinadama ninyo sa kanya and taimtim na pagmamahal sa bawat paglilingkod ninyo.
Sa bawat sandali ng kanyang pangangailangan, bali wala sa inyo ang pagod
o puyat. Nanduon kayo, parang kanyang mga anak sinisikap na maayos parati
ang kanyang kalagayan;
6.
To her Medical Team, headed by Dra. Julie Cabatu. The Sisters could
not have chosen a more capable and loving doctor. Medically, you have
given Sister the best care anyone could have asked for. You went beyond your
call of duty, not minding the time of day or night when you would be
called for emergencies. Thank you for your unselfish love and service;
7.
To all the SISTERS OF HER RELIGIOUS FAMILY, most especially her BAGUIO
COMMUNITY, I am at a loss for words on how we could express our deepest
gratitude to all of you. We all know that Sister Mary Assumption always
had a soft heart for the underprivileged youth especially those of the
Cordilleras. It was always
her dream to give the youth equal opportunity to obtain an educatioin so that
they can have a better life for themselves, their families and their
communities. She was never an advocate for dole outs. She always adhered
to her belief that "we should help them help themselves". Thank
you Sisters for allowing her to achieve this
dream through the Mountain Maid Training Center. For her BAGUIO
COMMUNITY, "maraming, maraming salamat sa inyo" for taking very good
care of Sister Assumption especially during the last few years when her health
was slowly failing her. You gave her nothing but the best in medical
needs, nutrients, comforts, but most important of all, you provided all of
these with a sincere and unselfish love for her;
Finally,
we give thanks and praise to our HEAVENLY FATHER for the blessing of sharing
Sister Mary Assumption to us for 102 years.
As we bring
her to her final resting place today, we will surely miss her physical presence
but I know that her memory will live in all of us as we carry on her vision and
good works. Above all, each time that we open a bottle of Ube Jam, take a bite of
the crunchy Sayote Pickles and partake of the other numerous products, let the
"Mountain Maid Training Center" label remind us that once there lived
a Sister Mary Assumption who answered the call of the Good Shepherd to
take care of His flock
here on earth.
It will
be goodbye for now, Sister Assumption. May you now rest in the loving
embrace of the Good Shepherd and His Beloved Mother. Please remember to
pray for us also as we continue our earthly journey. . . till we meet again!!!
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