Colegio de las Hijas de Jesus, Iloilo City

CELEBRATING MOTHER FOUNDRESS’ FILIATION-FRATERNITY

The celebration commenced on August 5 with a Triduum in honor of Blessed Candida Maria de Jesus focusing on the theme: “BE A BROTHER/SISTER TO OTHERS”.  On August 8, 2008, the educative community gathered together for the Eucharistic celebration officiated by Fr. Joel Eslabra. As a gift to Mother Foundress, five faculty members offered their lives to the Lord as Lay Ministers of the Eucharist. They were installed and sent off by Sr. Emelinda C. Falsis, FI during the Eucharistic celebration.

 

     After the Mass, the students offered a song-concert in honor of Mother Candida celebrating her obedience to God’s will. This they expressed by singing the lively and youthful song “YES LORD!”

On August 29, 2008 we culminated the month long celebration of Mother Foundress with a Thanksgiving Mass. Fr. Raymund Ferrariz, SSP was the presiding Priest. In his homily, he challenged the educative community to live the heroic virtues of Mother Foundress in our daily life. At post-communion time, John Paul Mondejar, a second year high school student shared his beautiful and touching experiences with Mother Foundress. The students were dumbfounded hearing him speak about his personal love for Blessed Candida Ma. de Jesus. After sharing his deep experiences with Mother Foundress, He posed this beautiful challenge to the student body: (WRITTEN AS IS)

"MY BELOVED FELLOW CHJians, ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT THE WORLD IS TOO SMALL FOR THE DESIRE OF OUR ROLE MODEL. I HOPE THAT LITTLE JUANITA WHO GREW TO BE FINANCIALLY POOR BUT RICH IN DESIRE FOR IMPORTANT. WHATEVER IS OUR STATUS IN LIFE, EACH ONE OF US HAS A PURPOSE HERE ON EARTH. LET’S LIVE AND LOVE IT. REMEMBER NOTHING STOPPED MO.CANDIDA TO FULFIILL HER MISSION TO BE A FOUNDRESS OF SCHOOL AND REMEMBER THAT TIME SHE CANNOT READ AND WRITE, SO WHAT CAN STOP US FROM BEING A JOYFUL, GENEROUS, COMPASSIONATE AND LOVING CHILDREN OF GOD? SO LET’S BE HAPPY OF WHAT WE ARE". ( See the Special Feature for the complete Talk)

 

By the way, guess who were our visitors during the Mass? The beloved of Mother Foundress – the less fortunate children from Andres Bonifacio Elementary School (ABES) and the Mothers from the Basic Ecclesial Community cells in Hippodromo. As a way of expressing their love for the poor, the students from Grade one to high school acted like big brothers and big sisters to the children from ABES for the whole morning. Each class prepared their own program. The CHJians had fun together as they played and danced with their little brothers and sisters from ABES. Each class served simple merienda and gave their adopted little brothers and sisters some school supplies. The children from ABES went home happy and contented. The CHJians made the ABES children feel at home, important and loved. Their generosity is admirable!

          What about the mothers from the BEC cells in hippodromo? They also had a program sponsored by the non- teaching staff and non-advisers. They had prayers, games, songs and merienda. Each of the mothers also received a bag of groceries. More than the joy of receiving gifts, the mothers felt the joy of being accepted, supported and loved by the staff, teachers and sisters. They found a home and a family in CHJ.

         

          In the afternoon, the students performed on stage their song adaptations and jingles they have composed for Mother Candida. Hopefully, that while the students were preparing and practicing for their numbers they have grown in their appreciation and love for the person of Mother Candida.

 

 

 

Prepared by Lynn Falsis, F.I.