June 27, 2009 was indeed a blessed day, for the sun shone brightly without eclipsing for the first time, after days of lingering against the threats of heavy rains and destructive winds. Thank God for making it a pleasant day for the joint golden and silver jubilees of our Sisters. Golden jubilarians include: Sr. Ma. Margherita Cagayat, Sr. Ma. Nazarene Camina, Sr. Ma. Catherin Celestial, Sr. Eugenia Ma. Gornis, Sr. Ma. Raffaella Magsarili, Sr. Ma. Edvige Pastorfide, Sr. Ma. Docilia Pizarro, Sr. Ma. Maddalena Ricon, Sr. Ma. Gesualda Sebumpan, Sr. Adela Christina Gamez, (one of the group, died six months ago to make hers in heaven). Silver jubilarians were Sr. Delia Benedicta Abian, Sr. Magdalene Chong Fui Hiong, Sr. Teresita Espina,Sr. Elena Lim, Sr. Agnes Wong Sui Jin.
There were 21 priests who concelebrated with His Excellency Bishop Teodoro Bacani, DD at the Eucharistic celebration which began at 9:00 A.M. Among the concelebrants were Fr. Ruben Areno, SSP Provincial Superior and SSP priests, Fr. James Ferry, Archdiocesan Episcopal Vicar for Religious, priest-relatives of the jubilarians and invited priests.
Bishop Ted Bacani in his homily likened the jubilarians to mangoes being prepared for the table. He said “25 and 50 years service are not yet the best.” The Sisters are like mangoes that at first bloomed and then gradually matured and are being ripened to become more delicious. The harder and more painful the process, and the more turbulence they experience in life, “the more they become delicious in the sight of God; that is the moment when they become the best.
Final Commitment of Three Young FSPs
On June 29, 2009, Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, Sr. Melissa Mancita, Sr. Lourdes Bagalay and Sr. Lourdes Ranara pronounced their final vows in the presence of Sr. Yolanda Dionisio, FSP Provincial Superior during the Eucharistic celebration presided by Most Rev. Broderick Pabillo, SDB, DD, auxillary Bishop of Manila.
In his homily, Bishop Pabillo congratulated the three Sisters for their bold step in following the Master who called them by name, and who continues to love them despite of their weaknesses. He said that religious profession is a reminder of the great love of God who was obedient, poor and chaste. To follow Christ entails responsibility. God has to stand out in one’s life. One has to show that Christ is the light of the world. One has to proclaim that God is faithful and He remains faithful. To follow Christ means, one has to remain in His love.