Holy Family Province

VISAYAS-VIETNAM CLUSTER

PROVINCE OF THE HOLY FAMILY

SIERVAS DE SAN JOSÉ

Texto en español

                                                                                                             March 5, 2013

Dear Sisters,

It is with hearts filled with joy and gladness that we would like to thank you for being one with us in your prayers and greetings during our 6^th Visayas-Vietnam Cluster Assembly which took place in St. Theresita’s Academy in Silay City last February 26 to March 2, 2013 with the theme “Moving Closer Towards Francisco’s Dream, Living Bonifacia’s Legacy.”

The twenty-one (21) members of the four Communities-Taller of Ho Chi Minh, Cebu, Silay and Iloilo that composed the Cluster was complete in attendance from the oldest sister of  95 years  of age down to the youngest sister of  twenty-five years old. Milagros Maravilla, our Provincial Coordinator and Alicia Blanquisco, our Provincial Secretary graced the event with their valuable presence and accompaniment.

The five-day gathering was truly a graced moment for all of us. So prepared were the communities with their reports and so disposed with their active participation that the main topics of the agenda namely: evaluation of the CT dimensions of  Community Life,; evaluation of the different CT CAPs based on charismatic elements, OMG practices and New Trends of Religious Life; and sharing of the CTs  PCV, Economy, and Communication system,    Project on the Systematization on our work with Women, Formation Matters and other concerns that affect the Cluster were  tackled in a matter of three days.

The smooth flow of the process was marked by the sisters’ enthusiasm, openness, honesty, respect and acceptance of everything that transpired in the sessions. These attitudes sustained by the daily reception of the eucharist and the inspiring homilies led the way to  healthy feed backing, exchange of ideas,  clarification, and  giving of affirmations. Ongoing growth in the practice of OMG principles was very evident. Cluster decisions were made as regards preparation of modules for women, module on the Nazareth spirituality of work  and  intensive vocation promotion activities of the different communities.  The pervading atmosphere was light and joyful. It was an intimate moment of belonging to one family, of  being one with our sisters as we got in touch with the different realities of their life and mission. The creative and multicultural liturgies as well as the  meal time and recreation bonding helped heightened the experience of being  interconnected and interdependent as a cluster.

In the morning of the fourth day of our assembly, we had the privilege of listening to the very challenging and inspiring talk of  an SVD priest about New Evangelization and Pope Benedict’s apostolic letter on the Year of Faith where he presented  Bonifacia as an icon of faith. In the afternoon, all the sister-delegates were given the opportunity to conduct the planned Vocation Promotion activity of the Cluster  to the student body of St. Theresita’s Academy through  a lively stage presentation and open forum. The warm response of our young students to the activity was so overwhelming that the sisters could not help but be animated and moved.

Towards the end of the day, evaluation of this cluster event was undertaken. The active participation and collaboration of all the delegates, the animation and guidance of the Provincial Coordinator and the Provincial Secretary, the hospitality and generous service of the host community of Silay together with STA employees, TdN staff including the prayers and greetings of the sisters from other circles were duly acknowledged and recognized. As a final note,  the date of the next Cluster Assembly was proposed in order to facilitate travel itineraries.

Indeed, the Spirit of the Lord was  visibly present and was deeply felt by everybody in the cluster. The overall feeling was one of gratitude to God for the experience of being companioned and renewed. The last day’s trip to “Campuestohan,” a recreational center located on top of a hill where everyone can enjoy the beautiful park and breathtaking view of the sea and the mountains was an opportunity for us to glorify God for all his blessings.

Gratefully yours,

Visayas-Vietnam Cluster