The Regional Assemblies with Mother General, Mª. Inez Furtado

March 1 , 2009 - Colegio de las Hijas de Jesus, Iloilo City

Regional Assembly of Panay, Cebu and Mindanao communities with Mother General Mª. Inez Furtado

          On March 1, 2009, F.I. Communities attended the Regional Assembly in Colegio de las Hijas de Jesus, Iloilo City. The said assembly was an opportunity for Mother General to share with the Sisters her impressions of the Philippine Province as her canonical visit was coming to an end. For us to enter deeply into the purpose of the assembly, she gave us time to pray over the text of the Gospel of Mk. 1 :12-15 which says:”This is the time of fulfillment, the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the Gospel. She challenged the sisters, through the experience of Nicodemus with Jesus to be born anew… or else, we cannot enter the Kingdom of God. We also reflected on the homily of the Holy Father given on February 2, 2009, Day of Religious in which he spoke of his desires for all the religious to live the mystical and apostolic tension and vital equilibrium.

After the personal prayer, she gave her positive impressions as well as the things in which we need to improve on as a Province.

 

In the afternoon, the General government led us to visit the Provincies that Mother General has already visited through power point presentations and video. We were happy to see the different apostolatic works the Hijas de Jesus are engaged in in the different parts of the world and to experience oneness with them in Cuba, Bolivia, Dominican Republic, the International Novitiate, the International Juniorate, Bangladesh, Thailand and Mozambique.

The group was very participative and attentive. and, like Nicodemus, we came out of the assembly feeling renewed, and challeneged to be "born anew".

The assembly culminated with the Holy Eucharist officiated by the Archbishop of Jaro, Msgr. Angel Lagdameo who is currently the President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines, and accompanied by the Choir, a collaborative effort of the different schools of Hijas in Panay.

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Having tete-a-tete with the Archbishop before the Mass and a nice sobre mesa

Time to say Goodbye

 

March 5 , 2009 - Manresa Retreat House, Quezon City

Metro Manila Regional Encounter With Mo. General, Mª. Inez

“One call bringing us together. One faith binding one another, one road leading to ….. Manresa Retreat House .”

The Participants of Metro Manila Assembly

The two-month visit of Mo. General, Sr. Ma. Ines Furtado in the Philippine Province had finally come to an end with the gathering of Sisters in Metro Manila last March 5, 2009 at Manresa Retreat House.

As soon as everyone was all set, Mo. General gave the Sisters the excerpts of the homily of the Holy Father Benedict XVI which talks about putting an equilibrium and balance of our life . He quoted the words of Saint Paul : “ … unifying the care of one’s interior life with the determined effort of the apostolic mission. ” Furthermore, ... In Him so closely united to the person of Christ ,we recognize a profound capacity to unite spiritual life and missionary action. On “ The service of authority and obedience ” : to seek “ every day the lively and constant contact with the Word proclaimed on that day, meditating on it and keeping it in our hearts as a treasure, putting it at the root of all acts and the first criterion of our choices.”

Mo. General then put the Sisters into a contemplative atmosphere of PRAYER: The Story of Nicodemus- John 3:3 . “ Where was he when Jesus came? He was sitting under the tree full of discouragement but Jesus came and talk to him on matters which he can’t understand. Let us not be like Nicodemus who is just so relaxed under the tree. No courage to go on…. Christian life changes everything when the Spirit moves us. When a human person open his heart to the Spirit then, he can leave the tree and continue the journey.

Mo. General then asked the Sisters to write down one thing in the story that was significant to them and talk about it with Jesus. After this instruction the Sisters went to their respective “trees ”to meet Jesus.

After the break , Mo. General gave her positive observations regarding the Sisters and the Phil. Province and some points for improvement.

After Mo. General has given her positive observations and some points for growth, the Sisters were grouped to formulate their questions on whatever matters that interest them.

The last topic that was mentioned during the forum was on the  Canonization of Mo. Foundress. Mother General said that it is progressing well. It is hoped that Mo. Foundress be canonized on the Jubillee Year 2010-2011.

In the afternoon, the Sisters had an opportunity to see the different real;itis of our presences in the world. Sr. jocelyn Salomo presented some videos and Ppowerpoint presentations on the places visited by Mother General.

 

 

 

 

With this good news of the possible canonization of Mo. Foundress, Mo. General brought us back to what happened the whole day and consider everything as a grace and not our own effort. She also asked us to offer in our Eucharistic celebration the intention of the province. She left us this message: Pray with trust. For “Whoever asks will receive… whoever seeks will find. ” Do not fall into discouragement because what God is doing is wonderful and he is always with us. With these words we went to the chapel for our Eucharistic Celebration.

As one body congregation we celebrated the mass with great desire in our hearts to exert effort in loving our consecrated life with vital equilibrium, hope and enthusiasm.

The Eucharistic Celebration was presided by Fr.Jojo Magadia, Provincial Superior of the Jesuits in the Philippines. In his homily, he talked about Spirituality as way of life. He connected it to the two roles of the Acrobats: The Flyer and the Catcher. Our spirituality as Religious should be that of a Flyer allowing ourselves to be thrown and allowing God to catch us. This is also a spirituality of obedience. So, when we are called for a mission, allow yourself to become a flyer to uncertainty with trust in God and allowing Him to work His way.

The Eucharistic Celebration was really a family gathering for all those present . The gratitude in the heart of every Sister was well expressed by the words of gratitude of Sr. Consolacion Ruy. 

“ My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord. My spirit rejoices in God, my Savior!”

“ With the words of many and with the feeling of joy and gratitude in the Lord, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks:
First and foremost to our Mo. General, Sr. Mª. Inez for the wonderful experience of knowing more the heart and mind of our congregation. This is an invitation and a challenge for all of us to be women of discernment, women of faith… seeking God in all things and at all times.

With the same feeling, I would like to thank Srs. Georgette and Joy for your presence facilitates the Spirit as we listen to Sr. Mª. Inez’ words of wisdom. Praise and thank the Lord for the gift of tongue given to you.

Our day won’t be complete without the presence of Fr. Jojo Magadia, S. J. , Maraming salamat sa iyong pakikiisa sa aming pagdiriwang.

And for the Provincial Council and for all of us here present. Maraming salamat.
This is not the end of the visit but a beginning of our being “ Born Anew”. Let us end the day with the words of Mo. Foundres : “ ALONE WE CAN DO NOTHING BUT WITH GOD, WE CAN DO EVERYTHING.” As we leave this chapel, let us be reminded of what Fr. Jojo said :“ LET GO AND LET GOD, OUR GREAT CATCHER.”

 

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CLICK to VIEW THE VIDEO :                                                             the Participants of MetroManila Assembly