ARDM general assembly held

The officers of the Association of Religious in the Diocese of Mati (ARDM) organized the second general assembly last June 17, Saturday, at the usual venue of the Carmelite monastery in TuaTua, Matiao, Mati City, so the cloistered/contemplative nuns of the Order of Discalced Carmelites (OCD) could also participate from inside their cell, as was their clamor since the first assembly on February 2, 2016 when the election of new ARDM leaders took place. The choir of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Academy (IHMA) served as the choir for the two gatherings. The registration for the 2nd assembly took place at 7:30 AM followed by the Eucharistic celebration at 8:00 AM presided over by Fr. Antonio D. Nombrefia, OSA, with concelebrant Fr. Randy G. Diamante. 40 participants were counted, representing the: Missionaries of the Immaculate Conception (MIC); Order of St. Ursula (OSU); Catechists of St. Joseph (CSJ); Carmelite Missionaries (CM); Order of St. Benedict (OSB); Teresian Daughters of Mary (TDM) from Manay; Order of Preachers (OP) from Lupon; Religious of the Virgin Mary (RVM) from Caraga; priests and brothers from the Society of Divine Vocations (SDV); Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB); Order of St. Augustine (OSA); Ministers of the Infirm (MI or Camillian); and Alexian brothers from Davao City. The Sisters Ministers of the Infirm (CS) were on retreat.

The gathering was a whole day event and each congregation shared in the fellowship [potluck] lunch and snacks. Two talks were held in the morning, where a professional shared his experience as a drug addict, his struggle with the therapy series, and, upon recovery, his gratitude for being accepted to serve as kaabag. The other speaker spoke on health and wellness. In the meantime, a group from the Philippine National Police (PNP) headed by Davao Oriental Police Provincial Director (DOPPO) PS/Supt Harry G. Espela arrived just before lunch to check on the security and inquire about the event. It also became an opportunity for Espela to answer questions on the peace and order situation in Mati and the whole province. During and after lunch time, the event made room for informal sharings among the ARDM members. While waiting for the main guest speaker, Archbishop Romulo G. Valles, D.D., ARDM president Sr. Florita L. Galido, MIC, requested Espela to talk more about the peace condition of the locality during this time of martial law. This was then followed by the keynote address of Arch. Valles, who shared his reflections on the theme: “The Parish as a communion of communities.” Before the assembly ended, a representative from each congregation also shared regarding their particular ministries in the diocese. (Sr. Florita Galido, MIC)