OND Sisters Elect New Congregational Leadership

Tamontaka, DOS, Maguindanao — The congregation of the Oblates of Notre Dame (OND) elected a new set of leaders forming a new general team for the next four years – 2021-2025. The election took place on the eighth day of the General Chapter, on 12 July 2021, at the St. Joseph Retreat House. The twenty-one (21) capitulars elected the following set of leaders: Superior General (re-elected) – Sr. Erlinda Hisug, OND; First Councilor and Assistant General – Sr. Marilou Tolentino, OND; Second Councilor – Sr. Jean Borres, OND; Third Councilor – Sr. Maria Teresa Diaz, OND; and Fourth Councilor – Sr. Joanne Lorilla, OND.

Sr. Marilou is the OND schools’ superintendent and directress/principal of the Notre Dame of Genio Edcor, Alamada and Notre Dame of Dulawan; Sr. Jean is the directress/principal of the Notre Dame of Abuyog and Notre Dame of Jaro in Leyte and district superior of the Cebu-Leyte District (CEBLEY); Sr. Maria Teresa is the coordinator of the Women Advocacy Center at the Notre Dame of Dadiangas University and district secretary of the Kidapawan-Davao-Marbel (KIDMAR) district; while Sr. Joanne is the Executive Directress of the OND HESED Foundation.

The Eucharistic Liturgy at 11:00 AM in The Our Lady of Hope Chapel in Tamontaka was presided over by OMI Provincial Superior Fr. Gerry Gamaliel de los Reyes, OMI. The liturgy recalled the Chapter theme: “A Reconciling Presence in the World Today” and the ensuing spirit of unity and charity among the ONDs. Together with the Chapter delegates, the other ONDs coming from nearby mission houses in the vicinity and around Cotabato extended their hands in a blessing-prayer rite over the new leaders and, before the Final Blessing, signed individual statements of support to the new leadership as well as renewal of consecrated life to the Triune God, in the spirit of Mary’s discipleship. Each sister dropped the signed document in a jar that an OND Junior, Sr. Ana Marie Emar, gave to Sr. Erlinda and her team.

Fr. Gerry, OMI shared his own experience of apprehension when he was elected provincial after 22 years as missionary in Thailand, and taking off from the words of Jesus in the Gospel, devoted his homily to Jesus’ assuring words: “Do Not Fear.” He aligned this with a courageous trust in God, ending with a fatherly advice: “Sisters, God will take care of you.” He also portrayed the wisdom of a participative, “brotherly” leadership, also assuring Sr. Erlinda of the OMI’s support.

On her part, Sr. Erlinda thanked everyone present who came to witness the event. On behalf of the general team, she thanked the sisters for their trust in the team and said that, as mentioned in the liturgy, “we all walk and participate in our mission together as a shared leadership.” She added that the leadership too will attempt to make alive the Chapter mandate: “A Reconciling Presence in the World Today” and experience the peace that Jesus gave us.