OND Golden and Silver Treasures

Jubilee celebrations are always full of surprises. We remember with wakefulness memories of long ago once again brought into the present. Our grateful hearts sing life melodies that heal, dispel darkness and cast out fear. There is much reason to rejoice and be delighted.

Sr. Andrea Galamgam Solar, OND, God’s delight for 50 years as an Oblates of Notre Dame professed on June 11, 1964. Born on May 23, 1944, she left the warmth and comfort of home and loved ones in Norala, South Cotabato in search for life’s meaning not quite knowing why. Her parents Juliana and Severino now both in God’s eternal embrace must truly be delighted to witness in spirit her golden jubilee.

Sr. Andy, a jolly good nun, captivates people of all ages from all walks of life beyond her expectations as she shares with them the message of Jesus living out her personal motto: “In the simplicity of my heart I give you all.” Her missionary journey had been through rough roads and stormy seas perfectly blended with acceptance and appreciation for the gift of her person.

Golden cheers Sr. Andy! We pray that God’s guiding light may continue to brighten your path for many more years of loving service in the wilderness where the Lord keeps waiting for your quality presence.

Silver joys to :

Sr. Genara Delgado Bacudo, OND (+)
Sr. Corazon Guilang Corpuz, OND
Sr. Nida Carugda Macahilo, OND
Sr. Estrellita Masong del Socorro, OND
Sr. Lina Madayag Costales, OND
Sr. Mila Morcelos Peñaranda, OND
Sr. Bebilyn Cabanag Cabajon, OND
All Professed on November 04, 1989.

As a young professed sister, Sr. Gene was youth coordinator in the Archdiocese of Cotabato. She was sent to Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea after final profession on March 25, 1996 in response to the call of the Universal Church for missionaries in foreign lands. God’s power of unconditional love made manifest in suffering sickness enveloped her for two long years after this. On April 14, 2000 our dear Sr. Gene breathed her last realizing her personal motto: “It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.” (Gal 2:20)

Sr. Cora, the first born of 7 siblings on June 28, 1955 was gifted to Primo Sr. and Josefina then residing in Koronadal City. The privileged couple now forever with God but witness in spirit what has become of their beloved daughter who has opted to be in the service of the Lord acting out her personal motto: “Apart from God I can do nothing.” (Jn. 15:5). God’s helping hand had been manifested in her mission work as School Treasurer through the years in ND Jaro, Leyte, Bongao, Tawi-tawi, Alamada, Pikit in Cotabato and OND Mission Center in General Santos City as of this writing.

Sr. Nida is eldest of 7 children born on September 18, 1961, exceptionally entrusted by the Mighty God to Norberto and Natividad residents of New Iloilo, Tantangan, South Cotabato. With the demise of their father at a very early age yet guided through thick and thin in life’s challenges, Sr. Nida marks her life with a personal motto: “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Phil. 1:21) Thus, with both parents now in heavenly bliss though their loss but indeed Christ’s gain. She had been Directress/Principal of ND Alamada and ND Abuyog for 6 and 4 school years respectively before parish mission engagement in Grace Park, Caloocan City. Then till the present she is OND General Treasurer.

Sr. Trel as everyone calls her praises God in life with her personal motto: “God who is mighty has done great things for me, Holy is His Name.” [Lk. 1:49]. She is 6th of 9 siblings and was born on July 19, 1959 to Conchita and Rosalio, responsible couple from Tunghaan, Minglanilla, Cebu now gone home to the Creator. She had been in Diocesan mission engagement and Directress/Principal in ND Alamada, Cotabato, Sta. Ana Academy, Cebu and this apostolate year in ND Jaro, Leyte.

Sr. Lina was born on July 29, 1947 in Baccuit, Bauang, La Union. Second of 6 siblings of Alfredo and Esperanza, the family had settled in Marbel, Matalam, Cotabato before she joined the Oblates of Notre Dame. Even when left orphans she confidently lives by her personal motto: “Don’t be afraid, I am with you always.” Only a few years of parish ministry in Kabacan, Landasan and Mapun Cagayan de Tawi-Tawi interrupted her culinary artistic talent at SJRH Food Ministry where she is presently engaged in.

Sr. Mila is from Tarangnan, Samar born on January 05, 1956 to Maxima and Vicente, 2nd of their 8 children. Her involvements had been in varied ministries in the Parish of Makilala, Catechetical Programs in Palo, Leyte and Basilan, Social Action in Jolo, Schools at ND Jaro, NDU –ETD , Cotabato City, NDGM in Caloocan City and in ND Dadiangas College and presently at Western Mindanao Medical Center,Zamboanga City. Her personal motto: “God is ever faithful in all His promises…” has brought her thus far.

Sr. Bebs or Len as she is fondly called is 2nd of 6 children born on 22nd of April, 1962. Her mother Pura now sleeps in God’s Peace. We are all honored to know that her father, Mr. Faustino Cabajon Sr., lives to this day though not with us now in person to truly experience the silver joy deep within. This is God’s great surprise for she faithfully lives with a personal motto: “Don’t let your heart be troubled. Trust in Him.” In the mission field she had been Diocesan/Archdiocesan Coordinator and Directress of NDCFC, ND Kabacan, and OND Novitiate. Her professed life started with parish ministry in Kidapawan and is presently with Midsayap parish.

At 9:30 in the bright morning of December 8, 2014, at the Our Lady of Hope Chapel, the Jubilee Eucharistic Celebration highlighted the affair with His Excellency Orlando Cardinal Quevedo, OMI, D.D. officiating. Co-celebrating were Rev. Fr. Larry de Guia, OMI, Fr. Gil Votacion, OMI, Fr. Eduardo Santoyo, OMI, Fr. Irvin Morastil, OMI, Fr. Zaldy Orola,OMI, Fr. Antonio Pueyo, DCC, Fr. Ben Laforteza, DCC and Fr. Joevany Centina, DCC. With Sr. Alice Amparo, OND, the unassuming mentor of the singing voices of the Marist Seminarians and NDCFCians, the jubilee theme, “My heart sings out the goodness of God” reverberates! Also in attendance were family members, relatives and friends of the jubilarians, FOND members, benefactors, OMI novices and the OND Sisters.

After the jubilarians’ renewal of vows, the OND Sisters present expressed in unison their devotional renewal.

In his homily, Cardinal Quevedo brought to the fore the “divine call” 25 and 50 years ago stating that when Jesus’ disciples were called out of their poverty they left everything behind to follow Him acting out their ‘yes’ wholeheartedly. Likewise, the Sisters committed themselves to proclaim the reign of God, living a life of contemplation and action as Oblates of Notre Dame striving to “Please God Always“. The Virgin Mary whose Immaculate Conception we celebrate this day is repeatedly invoked and revered as their model disciple.

A simple but heartily prepared lunch completed the memorable event and strengthened bonding moments among mission partners at the OND Convention Hall, Tamontaka. Our sincere gratitude goes to all those who were ‘one-with us’ Oblates of Notre Dame.