Dear Sisters,
It is with a deep sense of
gratitude and joy to God that we share
with you the celebration of our 7th Visayas-Vietnam Cluster
Assembly. For the first time in seven years, the assembly was held at Holy Family Home ladies dorm in
Iloilo City from July 26 – 31, 2014. All
of us members from
the three Visayas communities- taller including the two CTs in Vietnam
were complete in attendance. It was, indeed, a meaningful occasion for all of us
to be re-united and to share our lived experiences with eagerness
and enthusiasm. The event likewise served as a welcome opportunity not only for the sisters who came to see the dormitory for the first time but also for
those who had been previously assigned in the dormitory many years back .
Conscious of the theme guiding
us in the proceedings of our week long Visayas-Vietnam Cluster Assembly “We,” the
twenty-three (23) joyful, young, middle, post mid-lifers and one healthy elderly
in her 90’s had been privileged to live joyfully together the real essence of community
– taller in the bigger circle – the cluster. Appreciating deeply the accompaniment of Milagros Maravilla and
Marcelina Sta. Cruz coupled with your thoughtfulness, prayers, greetings and
support as well as those of our collaborators in the different communities and clusters, we felt the
overflowing grace of the Spirit in our sharing of life and mission as
communities-taller.
The presence of five juniors, three of whom are Vietnamese, made the assembly more alive and enriching. The sessions were marked by openness and transparency as the members participated actively with great interest and sincerity. The feedback, comments, observations, questions and clarifications in our common search, discernment and decisions as one body gave clarity to our identity as being women-worker-religious.
The presence of five juniors, three of whom are Vietnamese, made the assembly more alive and enriching. The sessions were marked by openness and transparency as the members participated actively with great interest and sincerity. The feedback, comments, observations, questions and clarifications in our common search, discernment and decisions as one body gave clarity to our identity as being women-worker-religious.
As we got in touch with the
results of the evaluation of our life
and mission in the two different cultures and four subcultures of our
communities-taller and ministries in
the Talleres de Nazaret of Cebu and
Silay, the Mother Bonifacia Skills
Training Center (MBSTC) of CT-Silay, the
Holy Family Home convivence of CT Iloilo, the
school of St.Theresita’s Academy (STA) CT-Silay, and the Prenovitiate-1st Phase & Aspirancy in Vietnam, we found ourselves
experiencing the joy and gratitude of discovering that all our apostolic
presences express the richness of our charism and that our work with women have been made visible. At the
same time, the living out of our charismatic elements, the practice of the OMG
principles and the impact they created on our target sectors as regards our
apostolic actions were another source of motivation and inspiration. This
significant realization enkindled our passion to commit ourselves onwards
with vision and courage to continue the gains
achieved and to work on the areas that need to be strengthened. This
commitment similarly holds true with the results of our midterm evaluation of
the strategic plan.
Besides coming up with our cluster
conclusions and recommendations on all the tasks undertaken, the one-day
session on “Healing of Memories” provided the participants a deeper knowledge
and experience of the inner dynamics of the healing process thereby inviting
everyone to continue the journey towards wholeness and integration. The evening
cultural presentation of the dormitory ladies as welcome for the
sisters was a real delight while the
pastoral care for vocation activity of the sisters provided a rich venue for
close interaction with the dormitory ladies.
Before ending the Assembly, on
the concluding day July 31, 2014, we had our Elections of our Cluster
Coordinator. We went into prayer and Adoration and discernment in the afternoon. Amor got reelected on her 2nd
term as Visayas-Vietnam Cluster Coordinator and drew more support from the
group which she accepted with disponibility
and generosity.
Our concluding day was highlighted with the celebration of the Eucharist on the feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola, S.J. and a film viewing on environment after supper. It was truly an event filled with God’s blessings with the accompaniment of our dear Fr. Francisco and Mother Bonifacia.
With gratitude,
Visayas-Vietnam Cluster Assembly
Participants
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