Holy Family Province Provincial Assembly

(Last communication)

The last two days of the assembly were in a very festive mood. The fifth day started with the Eucharistic Celebration in Cebuano. The Introduction of the Mass moved us to be grateful to God on behalf of the people of Cebu where Christianity first started almost five hundred years ago.  After the Mass, Milagros Maravilla, followed by the sisters, proceeded to the dining room, carrying the image of Sto. Niño lifted high as they danced to the “Sinulug” music.

The day’s work was a continuation of the clarification, validation and enrichment of the reports on the “Varios”. Later in the afternoon, a proposed project of the Provincial Team on Lay Volunteers was presented. Everybody worked with enthusiasm even producing contributions beyond expectation. Milagros clarified that it would just be an initial effort to open ourselves to people who may feel the inquietude to render service in line with our mission and ministries.

Notable all along was the participation of the young sisters in the discussions both in the small group works and in the Plenum. Their enthusiasm and enriching contribution triggered much hope for the rest of the participants.

The Mass on the following day was equally touching. The songs and most of the responses were in Ilonggo. It was prepared by C-Ts Silay and Iloilo. A glimpse of the beginnings of the Siervas de San Jose in the Philippines and the important role of the 2 cities: Iloilo and Silay in the growth of the Province was the highlight of the introduction.

This day was particularly dedicated to “Other Matters” such as the Celebration of the Year of Fr. Butinya where each Cluster presented what had been done in their respective sphere, what is on-going and their planned activities for the future or for the rest of the year. The Assembly arrived at an agreement as to celebration and activities on the Provincial sphere.

Milagros Marvilla read to the assembly the response of the CBCP to the signature campaign for St. Bonifacia encouraging all of us to intensify the promotion of making St Bonifacia known to all.

Mrs. Teresita Arcos Surot, Directress of Holy Family School was invited to give an up-date of the schools status and its development during these past years. It was a well appreciated in-put by the body.

Other matters for the information of assembly revolved on the reports on different Funds: Retirement, Health, Formation and Calamity Fund. Alicia Blanquisco reported on the situation of the house in Rosario, Cavite, Wilhelmina Tuzon on the prospect of an experimental community in Bereina, Port Moresby and Amor Calingasan on the possibility of a workers' dormitory in Silay.

To cap it all, Milagros Maravilla, bringing us back to the work we have accomplished these days of the Assembly, presented a graphic synthesis of all the efforts we have shared in common. The Evaluation of the Eight Objectives of the Strategic Plan helped us into a deepened awareness that the Core of our mission is the poor working woman and the young woman at risk and our evangelizing presence should be expressed in ministries for the woman and her concerns. All the other Objectives are only tools for the effective realization of our mission. We are communities for the mission.

Finally, at the conclusion of our provincial assembly resounded from our depths shouts of joy, praises and gratitude! The Spirit of Jesus in Nazareth had carried us through the days of prayer-work, sharing, sisterly encounters, evaluations, reflections, deliberations/discussions and looking towards the future with courage and vision. We can affirm that the assembly is truly the work of God and the work of every sister in the province. It brought us to the very intention our being and doing as Siervas de San Jose- WOMAN of the poor working world, worker and young at risk. The evaluation of our life and mission through the mid-term evaluation tool had renewed us as communities-taller, as clusters and as a province. Affirmed of our strengths and accepting of our weaknesses and difficulties, we are ready to face the challenge to fulfill what we ourselves have expressed in our recommendations, thereby we really Walk the Talk as true Siervas de San Jose.

We ended the Provincial Assembly with the same way we started it: we joined Jesus, our High Priest in offering to the Father the highest act of sacrifice and thanksgiving we can ever offer to God - the Celebration of the Eucharist. Recognizing with deep gratitude the place of origin of our congregation, a portion of the mass introduction and some of the songs and responses in the mass were in SPANISH. With Jesus our voices exclaimed joyfully what we felt deep in our hearts as we sang the final song: GRACIAS, SEÑOR.

Thank you so much, dear sisters for having accompanied us during our Provincial Assembly. Thanks so much for your prayers, sacrifices, greetings, text messages and well wishes. We felt that you were very close to us. We felt that we are truly ONE BODY heeding the guidance of the same Spirit as we continue moving towards the future with vision and courage…