Afire with God’s Love … Rejoice!

Part 2 of 2

A commemoration of the Jubilee of Consecrated Life is always a celebration of the fidelity and blessings of God. On December 7, 2013, nine Golden Jubilarians and three Silver Jubilarians of the Society of the Oblates of Notre Dame (OND), celebrated together to praise and thank God for his faithfulness and great love with the theme “Afire with God’s love… Rejoice!”

Sr. Dolores shared her golden jubilation in a reflection which goes, “ My 50 years in religious life as an OND is a life living in goal-setting activities…” She found involvement with various ministries: DXMS, Cotabato City, teaching at the University of San Agustin, Iloilo City, Vicariate ministry in Jolo, and as caregiver of Bishop George Dion, OMI, DD, in Tamontaka. She is currently assigned at the St. Joseph Retreat House in Tamontaka and occasionally visits the Cotabato City jail for her prison ministry.

An acclaimed mentor in the Notre Dame institutions of Cotabato, Dadiangas, and Marbel, and at the Marian College, as well as pastoral minister in Polomolok, South Cotabato, Guihulngan Negros Oriental, and Palo, Leyte, Sr. Felicitas, from her present Miryam House community, summarized her golden years of religious profession as… “a time to blow the ram’s horn and shout with joy our thanks to God for all His goodness and faithfulness!”

Sr. Virginia is significantly a media sister, having been involved with the Philippine Federation of Catholic Broadcasters (PFCB), Radio Veritas Asia, DXMS, Cotabato City, DXMM/TV-10, Jolo, and DXGD, Bongao; then she went into hospital work at the Western Mindanao Medical Center, Zamboanga City. At the Notre Dame of Abuyog, Leyte, she was the Alumni Coordinator until a sudden major stroke a few months back paralyzed her mobility, but not dimming her hope in God’s divine mercy to keep on as He so wills.

A Chavacana from Cotabato City, Sr. Gloria staunchly rejoices with her motto “ I am called to bear witness to the truth,”especially as an Education graduate from the Notre Dame University, Cotabato City in 1961, called to teach and to minister in various schools and colleges as faculty, directress/principal, dean of women, to name a few. She also ministered in the Parish of Grace Park, Kaloocan City, in the Justice and Peace Desk in Marbel, South Cotabato, and during this time of her jubilee, she is the guidance counselor of the Notre Dame of Kabacan.

The prevailing violent situations in Basilan “have given me concrete challenges for peace advocacy as coordinator of the Prelature’s Children Catechesis,” so Sr. Genevieve shares of her jubilee year. One of her golden joys is the experience of having been a teacher at the Notre Dame Diocesan Seminary in 1969-1970, where one of her students is now Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo, DD, the Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cotabato.

Another Cotabato born, Sr. Jeanine is one of the foreign missionaries who was assigned in Midland, Texas as Directress of Religious Education. Upon her return to the Philippines in 2007, she joined the staff of the St Joseph Retreat House in Tamontaka, and later joined the OND school force where she takes charge of the canteen. She is enthusiastic about her motto: “Trust in the Lord forever, He will always protect us.”
Sr. Fe, an Ilocana from Laoag City, was the first elected OND Superior General at the 1st General Chapter in May, 1971. After her term as Superior General in 1977, she was given assignments in the school ministry, the retreat ministry, and in 2001 was sent to Texas as Religious Education Coordinator in Midland, Odessa and Fort Stockton. As animator of the Sacred Heart Community in Tamontaka, she sings out with delight to God in her motto: “Praise the Lord, O my soul; I will praise the Lord all my life; I will sing to my God while I live.”

Sr. Wilmar reflected on her personal Creed of Discipleship for 25 years as her guide and inspiration in her religious life. She primarily believed in a faithful, gracious and loving God who calls, loves and forgives unconditionally. She is presently assigned at the Notre Dame of Midsayap College, steered by the Lord alone as her motto goes: “Apart from me, you can do nothing.”

Sr. Celsa echoes her silver jubilation in the following inspired phrase: “To go, set ablaze God’s mission in the wilderness and the assurance –Do not be afraid I am with you always.!” She is currently ministering to the people of Kidapawan Diocese as she continues to proclaim her motto: “ I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart; I will declare all Your wondrous deeds.”

“To do your will is my delight, O Lord, for your love is within my heart.” (Psalm 40:8) These words of the Psalmist summarized Sr. Elisa’s journey for the past 25 years. She firmly believes that it is God’s love and faithfulness that shaped her life and empowered her to share in God’s mission, especially as a foreign missionary for 13 years in Papua New Guinea and three years in the Solomon Islands. She is now engaged in the Catechetical Ministry of the Diocese of Digos.
Joy-filled Golden-Silver Anniversary Harvest—as we Strive to Please God Always!