SPIRITUALITY OF INSERTION SEMINAR 

 

Sr. Helen Catangcatang, Sr. Eufemia Pomado and Sr. Georgita Hormillosa

           

            This seminar-workshop on Insertion  was held on August 13-17,2008 at Kong Hua Pastoral Center, El Salvador, Cagayan de Oro City.  It aimed  at helping us go deeper into the fundamental concept of insertion for Religious Life and in particular, to dialogue with the participants on our personal and communitarian experiences of insertion from the living of our spirituality marked by our charism.  This was a good venue where we reflected together the need for its unified vision in the Philippine Province as part of the restructuring process.

            There were thirty two (32) participants:  nine (9) were lay and twenty eight (28) Sisters from every F.I. center.  Sr. Georgita Hormillosa, our Provincial Superior, was the main speaker.  She gave very good foundational framework for the next five days using the following topics a) Evolution of Insertion in the FI Congregation; b) From "knowing who the poor" to "preferential option for the poor";  c) Living in a world of constant change;  d) From "preferential option for the poor" to "solidarity with the poor";  e) Option for the Excluded;  f) What is Insertion;  g) Living and being with the excluded;  h) Walking with the poor;   i) Insertion and Social Action projects;  j)Creating a vision for the future

            The Word of God and situationers were always the entry points that allowed us to get in  touch with our realities as individuals, as communities in mission, which invited us  to be true to ourselves; to have a listening and discerning heart, foster in us attitudes of openness and disponibility before God.  It was for us a  process of purification from our own biases and mind set and which brought us to experience liberation. It  allowed us to face the truth that there is something within that needs to be redeemed in terms of our attitudes in dealing, and relating with the poor and responding to what God really wants.

            Putting into life an evangelical approach where we have a contemplative gaze at every person and every situation we encounter, constantly listening to the Spirit helps to become more open and available to God's will.  This  is a call to total self-emptying and self-denial to be able to give more and more the  best of ourselves  for the sake of the kingdom and those who are in need.

            The evolution of insertion in the congregation and the spirituality of Mo. Foundress that was presented brought us into a deeper experience of her palpable presence even in our working places, in our communities and her great contribution to the life of the church.  Her charism never gets obsolete in our history and the history of the Church.  And as we see and experience the vast woundedness of the world, more and more, we are challenge to restore and bring fraternity and brotherhood in building His kingdom even just in our own little way.

            This seminar has given us more lights to be able to see that there are lots of opportunities along the path we tread are waiting.  An opportunity to be more authentic and committed in our way of responding, in healing the woundedness of our people which injustice and oppression have created.  It has given us more hope because now, we are guided with a clearer criteria and direction as a Province.  It has given us more life because, together with our lay partners, we are full of enthusiasm to move in greater collaboration towards a more simple but realistic and unified vision.

                                                            Prepared by Eufemia Pomado, F.I.

 

SOME PHOTOS DURING THE SEMINAR

Mr. Engierson Abellera from Iloilo City; Ms. Annie Reynalda from Maasin; Sr. Teresita Saba from Lasang; Sr. Marilou Guillano from Catarman, Camiguin; Sr. Paciencia de los Reyes- from Guimaras; and Sr. Joji Silorio from Pototan

 

Sr. Rosemari Gaitan, Ms. Josie Lopez, Mr. Gil , Sr. Araceli Pasquin, Sr. Cecile Sequio

 

The Sisters Group

 

Group Study under the tree

 

Group Reporting