Holy Family Province: 3 IN 1 PROVINCIAL GATHERING HOLY FAMILY PROVINCE (July 21-27, 2017)

2^nd of the 3 in 1 EVENT- THE 6^th PROVINCIAL CHAPTER (July 25-26)

The 6th Provincial Chapter was preceded by a day of prayer on July 24 in preparation for it. At the start of this silent encounter with the Lord, Marcie gave us some points to guide us, then the copy of the material used for prayer during the General Chapter entitled: “Women inspired by the Spirit of God…” was given with the guide questions for reflection and sharing in small groups (by communities-taller) which was done in the afternoon. This C-T sharing was very enriching!

The day of prayer culminated with the solemn Eucharistic Adoration well prepared by the Liturgists-of-the-day which was held at the Conference Hall. It led us to deeply experience the presence of God in Jesus who “constantly loves us and walks with us personally, as Communities-Taller, as a Province as a Congregation and as a Josephine Family”. At the end of the adoration, with lighted candles, we accompanied in procession the Sacred Host from our place of vigil to the Main Chapel.

There at the Sagrada Familla Chapel, Milagros formally opened the 6th Provincial Chapter after her very touching opening message to all of us. We responded with standing ovation and a long continuous clap of love, appreciation and gratitude for her beautiful message, constant love and selfless dedication to the Province – to all of us.

The following is part of her message:

“To walk with Jesus is to walk with the poor, and to walk with the poor is to walk with Jesus. This Jesus whom we follow manifests himself in the many faces of the poor… Our priority commitment is not so much concerned with our congregational survival but that of our prophetic mission which is to keep alive today the Charism which our Founders have left to us as their legacy. Walking with Jesus as communities in mission and for the mission invites us to proclaim to the world and to the whole of creation, with hope, joy, decisiveness and boldness that we are craftswomen of life, weaving dreams with poor women workers and young women at risk…to manifest in our life that Jesus is our only Absolute, our necessary, primary reference…”

The Eucharistic Celebration in the morning presided by Fr. Jose Quilongquilong, S.J. with his challenging homily on servant-leadership started the day of our provincial chapter proper. The holy mass being the feast of St. James, the patron saint of Spain where the SSJ foundation started, was an opportune moment to thank the Lord for all the SSJ missionaries sent to our Province.

THE FOLLOWING WERE THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 6th PROVINCIAL ASSEMBLY:

Mila’s presentation of the Manual of the Chapter’s Proceedings and Functions and its approval by the body.

The election of important services to be rendered during the chapter namely: 2 persons as canvassers and 2 moderators and one member who would compose of the Coordinating Commission.

WILMA KEPA & MARIA VU THI YEN, ELECTED AS CANVASSERS

The reading of the Memoria of Holy Family Province from 2011 to 2017 by the Provincial Secretary-Sr. Alicia Blanquisco. The assembly was so happy with the very comprehensive and extensive work done by her.

The Report on the Economy of the Province from 2011-2017 by Violeta Layson, SSJ and Lourdes Tacpalan, SSJ.

The report of Norly Degrido, LJ on LJ Philippines-an update of LJ’s LJ-nizing the world from the last Provincial Assembly (Jan., 2017) to the present, and Sr. Yolanda’s updates regarding the LJs in Papua New Guinea. Truly inspiring!

Each C-T’s report on their feedbacks, impressions or suggestions regarding the documents on Economy and on Formative Itinerary, including the concretization of the last Provincial Assembly’s Resolutions. Mila affirmed all the communities regarding their concrete living out of the resolutions.

The election of Marcelina Sta. Cruz, SSJ as the Provincial Coordinator; of Yolanda Pugal, as the Provincial Vicar and of Alma Miranda as the Provincial Administratrix had been one of the most exciting events during the Chapter. We were all very happy with the result of the election. Some of us were even teary-eyed. The Spirit of God truly guided us!

SR. MARCELINA STA. CRUZ, THE NEW PROVINCIAL COORDINATOR

SR. YOLANDA PUGAL, SSJ, THE NEW PROVINCIAL VICAR

SR. ALMA MIRANDA, SSJ, THE NEW PROVINCIAL ADMINISTRATRIX

The discussion on other matters of concern in the province namely:

Proposals on what to do with Tagaytay Property

C-T Iloilo process of discernment in collaboration with the Visayas-Vietnam

CTs as regards the inclusion of poor young women workers as target sectors of Holy Family Home in Iloilo

C-T Rosario’s proposal to use their vacant Taller building as Boarding House for Migrant women workers

The proposal to either incorporate C-T Vietnam to Luzon Cluster or to divide into two Luzon cluster with C-T Vietnam incorporated to the cluster.

The matters of concern discussed were then to be turned over to the new provincial team who would continue the process of discernment and decision-making.

The Eucharistic Celebration presided by Fr. Nonong Pili which marked the closing of the 6th Provincial Chapter.

The assigned liturgists made the Mass very alive and creative through:

The Entrance Procession of all the sisters with the priest presider

The Prayer Intentions expressed through symbols:

Candles

Our loving God, be our light as we walk together with the deep desire to collaborate in building a new humanity in accordance with the project of the reign of God.

Bilao with seeds

May Jesus be our primary reference as we continue to scatter the seed of our charism that was once sown by the Spirit in the hearts of our Founders. Let the seed grow in places where God is leading us anew . . . finding God in the path of life . . . to discover the new spaces of life and mission which are emerging in our society.

Earthen vessel

Yes, Lord, what gives us courage to continue walking the journey of being Siervas de San Jose is the truth that we are your creations in earthen vessels . . . seemingly fragile and limited but with great potential to change the world. Together with women workers and young at risk, may we live and proclaim in our lives our being disciples of Jesus.

Plants

To be a disciple of Jesus is to respond to the universal suffering of humanity and the degradation of the environment which are evident in our own charism. May we create bigger steps to be in solidarity with creation, respect the environment, defend ecology and work with other groups in promoting justice, peace and integrity of creation;

The thanksgiving message to the outgoing Provincial Team and Provincial Administratrix and the giving of token as a sign of gratitude to each one of them; and

SR. FELMA RAMONES, SSJ GIVING THE THANKSGIVING MESSAGE TO THE OUTGOING PROVINCIAL TEAM, ON BEHALF OF THE PROVINCE

The recessional dance in circle by the sisters and the priest presider.

1st of the 3 in 1 EVENT: TRANSMISSION OF THE LAST PHASE OF THE 22nd GENERAL CHAPTER (July 21-23)

SR. MILAGROS MARAVILLA, SSJ WELCOMING THE PARTICIPANTS

These days had been so rich and full. The four chapter delegates faithfully, enthusiastically and passionately transmitted to us what transpired during the last phase of the 22^nd General Chapter. With the very meaningful and creative “ambientacion” prepared by the Novices in the conference room, we felt the loving and challenging presence of Jesus, our SOURCE and only TREASURE, constantly walking with us and summoning us to be “communities in mission and for the mission”.

On July 22, after our intimate encounter with Jesus in the Eucharistic Celebration presided by Fr. Joy Sebastian, CMF and with the meaningful prayer to open the day’s session, the Philippine LJ representative to the General Chapter, Conette Sta. Cruz, LJ shared with us her own experience during the last phase of the Chapter and the LJ Itinerary-Process. She was deeply touched and impressed with her lived experience with the sisters in Cajar, Granada. Listening to her presentation, we were filled with awe, joy and gratitude for her enthusiasm and commitment in making known our Charism and drawing others to the same.

Then, the Memoria of the Congregation was shared and this made alive the Congregational process we have undergone during these past 6 years of personal study and reflection, C-T sharing, Cluster assemblies and the Provincial Assembly. Indeed, each one of us is a living stone that composes the whole Nazareth structure that even in the face of our diminishing number, we are steadfast and faithful in living out our Charism- God’s very own Gift and Project.

There was a high level of interest when the Four Fundamental Themes were presented to us. Each Fundamental Theme was tackled in each small group. The degree of appropriation, invitations and challenges were shared and agreed upon as a group followed by the plenum. With a boom of applause from the assembly, 100% acceptance of the themes was given by all, pledging our serious commitment to live them out.

"COMMITMENT TO WOMEN" GROUP

"COMMUNITY-TALLER" GROUP

"SIGNIFICANT AND TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF THE CHARISM" GROUP

"FUTURE OF THE CONGREGATIONAL LIFE AND MISSION" GROUP

On the following day (July 23), we did the same process on the transmission of the Congregational Evaluation of the Implementation of the Organic Model of Governance. This time, the topics were further reflected on by Communities-Taller as to the degree of appropriation, invitations and challenges. Again, a perfect #10 of acceptance of the OMG Congregational Evaluation was declared by the assembly.

To close the Transmission Event, we celebrated the Eucharist at 5:00 p.m. presided by Fr. Nonong Pili. During the offertory, a lighted candle was given to each sister and this was offered to symbolize one’s renewal of commitment to the new calls and challenges of the Congregation in this fast changing world.

Then, after the Mass, each sister received her copy of the 22^nd Chapter Document.

The Introduction said before the Mass captured our experience of the Transmission Event:

“The gift of the journey is something we rarely think about until a significant moment brings us to a pause… These past days of the transmission of the fruits of the 22nd General Chapter brings us into this pause as one body, fanning anew the fire in our hearts for the Reign of God, because once again with certitude we say- “We are loved by God… guided, called and challenged anew…” We accept this opportune moment to make the imprint of Nazareth in our world today through our life and mission, our witnessing as persons and in our relationships, lifestyle and decisions that are made vivid and palpable… rooting ourselves in the radicality and mysticism of Jesus the worker in Nazareth…”

DAY ONE

With the theme: “Walking with Jesus as communities in mission and for the mission”, we, the Siervas de San Jose from the different communities-taller embarked as a province for our a 3 in 1 Provincial Gathering. The pervading presence and outpouring of the Holy Spirit was very much felt throughout the first day of our encounter. With the “3 IN 1 EVENT SCHEDULE” prepared by the Provincial Team and posted at the strategic places of the house, we were clearly oriented with what will transpire during this 7-days gathering, namely: the Transmission of the last phase of the 22nd General Chapter, the 6th Provincial Chapter, and the three separate Cluster Assemblies (Luzon, Visayas-Vietnam and Papua New Guinea) in order to propose their respective Cluster Coordinators.

We commenced the chapter with the Eucharistic Celebration, the “SOURCE AND SUMMIT OF OUR LIFE AND MISSION” as a congregation in the Church. The following added meaning and impact to our Mass celebration: the Chapel decoration prepared by the Juniors creating the right ambiance; our dress code typical of the country where each one of us is assigned; and the viewing before the Mass of the simple exhibit expressing the life and mission of our Province and that of the FSJs' and LJs'.

After the hearty Merienda Cena, our sisters who were members of the 22nd Last Phase of the General Chapter namely: Sr. Milagros Maravilla, Sr. Marcelina Sta. Cruz, Sr. Amor Calingasan and Sr. Yolanda Pugal, toured us to the Provinces of España, of Maria de Nazareth, Perú and of our very own Sagrada Familia, and to Congo Cluster, as they transmitted to us through power-point presentations/videos our respective concrete realities, situations and responses to the needs of the poor working world especially of women workers and young women at risk. The "tour" was a very enriching experience for us and it heightened our sense of belonging and solidarity with the whole congregation.

Led by the Liturgists, we ended the day by serenading our dearest Mo. Mary through Marian songs in three different languages: English, Vietnamese and Spanish.