VISAYAS-VIETNAM CLUSTER ASSEMBLY (Feb. 27 - March 1, 2012

March 3, 2012

Our dear Sisters:

Greetings of peace and love!

It’s our joy to share with you what transpired during our Cluster Assembly which, of course, may not be different from what you had undergone. It was held at St. Theresita’s Academy in Silay City from February 27 – Mar. 1, 2012 with 18 sisters belonging to the four Communities-Taller of the Cluster together with Milagros, our Provincial Coordinator and our Vicar Marcelina. For valid reasons, Felisa and Luz of CT Iloilo were not able to participate. So as not to miss the process which the group had undertaken, both would be given special sessions.

The four-day gathering was for us another opportunity to live out the principles and elements of the Organic Model of Governance. We find it interesting and inspiring  that we are becoming more systematic and having foresight of what we would be for the next years to come. We would like to quote what our priest presider kept on repeating in his homily “If we fail to plan, we plan to fail.”  We all know that we always plan , but we believe that our minds and hearts were being raised into greater consciousness and being challenged to a deeper commitment when we listened to the presentation of the strategic objectives and lines of actions. Thanks to the joint efforts of Milagros, Marcelina, Amor and Fe who took turns  in sharing the different strategic objectives. Prior to the presentation of the objectives, Milagros, being the main facilitator, presented the whole process undertaken by the Congregation in coming up with the Strategic Plan.

The first three days were devoted to the transmission of the Strategic Plan and the corresponding workshop of the sisters who were divided into four groups. The different groups seriously did the work with openness and zeal. It was no hard work at all with the facilitation of Milagros and Marcelina. Besides, there was teamwork and sharing of our lived experiences. Everybody seemed to be so relaxed and calm as we shared the fruit of the groups’ work in the assembly.

Half-day of the fourth day was spent on the Communities-Taller updates and other concerns. In the late afternoon as we used to do, we had Cluster bonding which  was indeed fun . . . real fun. The parlor games, the “pabitin” for seniors and another one  for juniors including a sumptuous dinner served as our culminating activity.

The daily masses presided by Fr. Roselo Villarosa, a Diocesan priest assigned at San Diego Pro-Cathedral Parish added color and brought joy into our gathering with his inspiring and well- prepared homilies. He would always relate the OMG theme of the day to the daily Scripture readings coupled with his personal life experiences. With our daily masses at the the beginning of the day, we were already filled with a lively spirit more than enough to sustain us for the whole day’s work. Not only were our spirits filled but our stomachs as well . . . with heavy snacks and meals. Thanks to Talleres de Nazaret-Silay. All their new products were served so we couldn’t help but place our orders for our “pasalubong.“

Our gatherings as a Cluster were always moments of rest and relaxation. It was really a balance of prayer-work-rest. We still had time to enjoy one another’s presence with our evening recreation. We are grateful to the Community-Taller of Silay who was always so generous and welcoming to be the venue and host of our cluster assemblies.

We were able to  carry out the tasks asked of us during these days lightly and joyfully  because you were one with us.  Your prayers and greetings lifted us up.

With these experiences, with the Strategic Plan serving as our guidepost, we hope that we would be ready and prepared to respond to the challenge of building God’s kindom here on earth. God continues to mold us . . . and its outcome would depend on how we would respond.

In Jesus, Mary and Joseph,

Your Sisters in the Visayas-Vietnam Cluster