10th PNG Cluster Assembly

The Cluster was graced by the presence of Marcelina Sta. Cruz, the Provincial Coordinator, who arrived in Papua New Guinea while the whole Church was singing and proclaiming ALELLUIA! Jesus Christ has risen, on April 1, 2018. 

All of the Cluster members were praying hard with much trust and hope that they will be “COMPLETE” for the Cluster Assembly. Indeed, God allowed them to experience an “ADVENT” in the season of EASTER when finally Cristyliza Celestial, the new member of the cluster and Minerva Hernandez, who stayed in the Philippines for some months to recuperate, arrived on the 5th of April. 

Right after supper at 7:30 p.m. on the 7th of April, the smallest Cluster in Holy Family Province with the “Lucky 7” members convened to share the Community-Taller’s Highlights of their Life & Mission for the past year until the present moment with all the surprises, challenges and blessings. 

Aurora Yolanda Pugal, the Cluster Coordinator, presented the Highlights of the Communities-Taller of the Luzon Cluster. The sisters were with all ears listening to the different experiences of CTs, especially to the lively activities of and the blessings continuously being received by the “youngest once” in the Province, the Madres Mayores. Since it was late, the Visayas-Vietnam Cluster CT’s highlights were presented on the following evening received with the same enthusiasm. The “Lucky 7” was in solidarity with all the struggles/challenges of the Communities-Taller of the whole Province. 

After attending the Sunday Mass in the Parish, on April 8, the Cluster Assembly proper commenced with a meaningful opening liturgy with the lighting of each one’s candle from the Paschal Candle while offering each one’s desires for the Assembly.

Yolanda warmly and enthusiastically welcomed the sisters, especially the new members: Cristyliza Celestial and Fe Rabina; the balikbayan, Minerva Hernandez and acknowledged Marcelina’s valuable presence in the Cluster. She invited each one in these words, “that we, as LUCKY 7, may unleash the transforming power of our Charism to where we are sent, to which, it is here in Papua New Guinea. The number 7 means FULLNESS and God reveals the FULLNESS of His/Her love to us and through us as a Cluster, though small in number.” 

This Cluster Assembly served as a timely introduction and orientation to the “newcomers” about the Life and Mission of the two communities CT Bonifacia and CT Butinyà and, as a whole, the Cluster in Papua New Guinea, which is known as the ‘Land of Surprises and of the Unexpected”. 

The first day proceeded with the very fruitful and enriching sharing on the article, Faith-Filled Leadership, as the Cluster came up with a list of invitations/challenges on how to live this out. The main focus is on what it means to exercise “faith-filled leadership that is full of faith, inspired by faith, driven by zeal and enthusiasm in apostolic work for the Kingdom, and drawn into the heart of God”.

Later in the afternoon was the presentation made by Marcelina on the SSJ Strategic Plan 2017-2023 which was openly received and noted with much clarity by the sisters. This prepared the sisters to receive their own copy of the Holy Family Provincial Operative Plan in preparation for the next day. The handing over to each sister of the HFP Operative Plan was done prayerfully and with commitment through the symbolic planting of seeds.

On the 2nd day (April 9), indeed “great things happen when God mixes with us”. The presentation of the HFP Provincial Operative Plan by Marcelina and Yolanda gave impetus to the two Communities-Taller that are inserted and dynamic in their living out and sharing of the Charism, focused on the promotion of women and preservar through Skills Training and Hostel Apostolates. The Cluster reached consensus as to what Cluster Projects to take, based on the highlighted activities from the HFP Operative Plan, which became very clear at the very start. The presentation of the Instrument for the Enriched Communitarian Apostolic Plan followed, which likewise, was welcomed by the sisters.

On the 3rd day (April 10), the Cluster members were set on their two feet to “go forth,” with the invitation to return to Nazareth… “Es hora de vivir… Es tiempo de volver a Nazaret“… challenged to live the six Cluster Projects with the desire to respond to actual and equally important emerging needs. This was a day of enrichment. The Syntheses of the responses of the Luzon and Visayas-Vietnam Clusters on the Criteria for the Elaboration of the Budget and the FSJ-SSJ Project were presented to the sisters. This gave the sisters the experience of being one in the Congregational body, while attending to their own needs and realities as a Cluster.

The 4th morning (April 11) was spent for the evaluation of the lived experiences during the Cluster Assembly. Indeed, the Assembly was a moment of revitalizing the Life and Mission in this Land where the sisters were sent to make known, transmit and share the Charism. It was indeed, for the sisters, a moment to PAUSE… PRAY… and PASSIONATELY COMMIT themselves to IMPEL THE CONGREGATIONAL PROJECT FROM A GLOBAL VISION IN FIDELITY TO THE CHARISM.

The 10th PNG CLUSTER ASSEMBLY was marked with teamwork, disponibility and generosity. Thanks to the love and service of the 3-in-1 and 4-in-1 community members’ combination as they took part in the moderation, liturgy animation, documentation, food preparation and in all that it takes for a Cluster Assembly to happen.

The Cluster was also blessed with two Salesian Priests who officiated the Eucharistic Celebrations on the 9th and 10th of April, namely, Fr. Roger Miranda, SDB and Fr. Alfred Maravilla, SDB respectively.

The Seven (7) sisters of the Cluster, symbolizing God’s Fullness, express their gratitude to all, for the prayers, nearness and oneness with the messages sent all throughout the Assembly.

Thank you! Muchas Gracias! Maraming Salamat! Daghang Salamat! Damo gid nga Salamat! Cam on rat nhieu! Tenk yu tru!