fma lifeline - june-aug 2013

FMA Lifeline June - August 20132

FMA Lifeline is the official news magazine of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (Salesian Sisters of Don Bosco) in the Philippines and Papua New Guinea. FMA stands for Figlie di Maria Ausiliatrice, the official Italian name of the Congregation founded by St. John Bosco and St. Mary Mazzarello in 1872 in Mornese, Italy. Today, there are more than 13,600 FMA in 94 countries who are dedicated in varied ministries for the youth.

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Daughters of Mary Help of Christians Provincial House

3500 V. Mapa Extension, Sta. Mesa 1016 Manila

Tel. No. 714-5937; Faxphone 716-5097

www.fmafil.org.ph

EDITORIAL BOARD

Sr. Maria Socorro Bacani, FMAEditorial Board Coordinator

Sr. Theda dela Rosa, FMATechnical Coordinator

Sr. Florita Dimayuga, FMA Sr. Nora Hernandez, FMA

Sr. Ann Lyn Rose Magno, FMA

3 From the Provincial Superior Sr. Sarah B. Garcia, FMA

4 History of the Aspirantate & Postulancy Community Sr. Melanie R. Pilar, FMA

5 Formation: A Mission of the Community Sr. Melanie R. Pilar, FMA

7 Nurturing vocation to the religious life within a Muslim culture Aspirant Gloria Francis

8 Experience of formation from a Buddhist to a Catholic country Postulant Teresa Sopheak Phim

9 Ten Novices, Five Nationalities! Sr. Cynthia B. Calabig, FMA

10 Some of the stories of their call FMA Novices

15 Campus Ministry at Jose Rizal University Sr. Teresita C. Saludares, FMA

17 Anniversary of Religious Profession

18-19 Photo News2 FMA Missionaries to PNGFMA Students from 4 CIAO Provinces

20 Vocation / Home for the Elderly FMA

THE COVER:Sr. Melanie R. Pilar, FMA (Aspirantate & Postulancy Community Animator) with the formands

June - August 2013 FMA Lifeline 3

I t is to my kindergarten that I always return to capture the essence of accompaniment. I got captivated by the beauty, goodness, joy, closeness

and caring ways of my first Kinder teacher. One day, I blurted out loud to her, “I want to be like you.” She smiled and I was elated. I believe we both treasured that moment in our hearts. She did not dismiss it as a mere childish wish, but took an interest in me and helped me discover gradually the seed of a deeper calling hidden in my little heart. From that day onwards she became my companion, formator and mentor in my journey to Jesus. She initiated me to the barrio apostolate when I was just in Grade Four and, when I was in Grade Six, to being the catechist of the smaller children at the Sunday oratory. In my third year in high school she introduced me to the meditation and sharing of the Word of God. She accompanied me all those years, until I entered the Institute. She became my novice mistress and provincial. Later, it was she who mentored me in the service and ministry of animation and accompaniment of aspirants, novices and Sisters.

I also feel very fortunate to have been surrounded by caring, good Sisters and teachers, who consciously and unconsciously instilled in me love for God and Mary, especially through the Marian associations (from being a Little Angel to a Child of Mary), and the Salesian values of the sacraments, prayer, study, play, work and joy, and the sense of service and attentiveness to others. The Sisters were very passionate about their mission and they enthused me about it and made me a part of it. I don’t know what they saw in me but I saw in them the joyful, disinterested love of God. I saw in them a part of my dream, a part of myself. I was fulfilled and happy being with them and sharing their life. I loved those Sisters and I felt loved by them in a unique way.

The thought of formation, the theme for this issue of Lifeline, made me think back to my own experience of being accompanied, and later, of accompanying others in discovering their own Salesian vocation and living it authentically and in freedom of spirit. Formation is not only about preparing oneself and being prepared for the vows; formation is being immersed in an environment saturated by human, spiritual, Gospel values, a family atmosphere that is both festive and disciplined, marked by spontaneity and respect. Formation is not only the concern of the person in formation and the guide; it involves the whole community. The community, in fact, “becomes the most enriching place for formation when, in a real

family atmosphere, witness is given to Gospel values and all are striving for holiness in the Salesian way” (C 82).

The purpose of formation is not information alone, but transformation, conformation to Christ, the maturing of the whole person in a gradual, progressive putting on Christ sent by the Father, following the plan outlined in our Constitutions, as expressed in article 78 of the FMA Constitutions.

As such, formation is not confined to stages, but spans a lifetime and engages the person in a never-ending commitment

“to be formed in the freedom to learn throughout life, in every age and season, in every human ambient and context, from every person and every culture, open to be taught by any fragment of truth and beauty found around them. But above all, they must learn to be formed by everyday life, by their own community, by their brothers and sisters, by everyday things, ordinary and extraordinary, by prayer and by apostolic fatigue, in joy and in suffering, until the moment of death” (Starting Afresh from Christ, 15).Formation in our Province more and more assumes

an Asian face as we welcome Sisters, aspirants, postulants and novices from different Asian countries. The rich cultural exchange brought by this experience widens our perspectives and at the same time challenges us to develop a type of formation that celebrates and respects interculturality while preserving and enriching one’s personal and charismatic identity.

One of the greatest lessons I learned from all this is that formation is a sacred task and journey which I would liken to the experience of Moses before the burning bush. Every formative encounter asks me to take off my sandals, for “the ground where [I] stand is holy.” Every person is to be approached with reverence, for “the Father, through the Spirit, fashions in the heart the inner attitudes of the Son” (Vita Consecrata, 66).

Formation could only be effective with the help and guidance of Mary. We ask her, the mother and guide of every Salesian vocation, and the teacher of accompaniment, to direct our lives decisively to Christ and to make our personal relationship with him and with others ever more authentic (Cfr. C 79).

Sr. Sarah B. Garcia, FMA

4 FMA Lifeline June - August 2013

C asa Maria Immacolata, Canlubang, Laguna houses the first two initial stages of formation to the FMA consecrated life: the Aspirantate and the

Postulancy. Its history of evolution dates back to 1956 when the first FMA Aspirant, Anita Miranda, entered Casa S. Cuore, St. Mary Mazzarello School, Victorias Milling Company, Negros Occidental. Eight months later she was followed by other promising vocations - Elsa Geroche, Pilar Defiño, Olivia Sadaya, Florida Hedriana and Aida Polotan. The official aspirantate was non-existent then as the aforementioned community was the first to be founded upon the arrival of the pioneer missionaries in 1955. Thus, Casa Sacro Cuore could be considered as our first “aspirantate” with Mother Erminia Borzini as Superior.

Between the years 1958 to 1973, the Aspirants were admitted either at Casa Maria Immacolata, Balic-Balic, Sampaloc, Manila or at Casa San Giuseppe, Canlubang, Laguna. Those were years marked by flexibility in respect to the reality of the candidates. Some continued to be university students in Manila while others were working as teachers, and the rest were sent directly to St. Joseph, Canlubang.

When Casa S. Maria D. Mazzarello Novitiate was opened in 1974, it started to house the Aspirants who entered that year. On May 16, it welcomed Jacinta Inguillo and on May 31, Cynthia Calabig, Carmencita Rodriguez, Celeste Yolola and Sarah Garcia followed. Sr. Elizabetta Peters was the Superior of both the Novitiate and Aspirantate with Sr. Anna Maria Mattiussi as Novice Mistress and Sr. Gloria Agagon as formator for the Aspirants. It meant having all the formands under the same roof with their own distinct nature of formation and activities. Sr. Florida Hedriana took over as Superior of the house from 1977-1979 with Sr. Nora Hernandez and Sr. Gloria Agagon as Assistants of the Aspirants and Postulants.

From the Novitiate building, the Aspirants and Postulants were transferred to the school community when Casa Maria Ausiliatrice (Mary Help of Christians School), Canlubang was canonically founded in 1979. The decision was inspired by the necessity of offering the formands a more complete experience of both our community and daily apostolic life. It is noteworthy to mention that there were twenty eight Aspirants and eight Postulants who

started their formation in this community with Sr. Anita Miranda as Superior from 1979-1982, Sr. Nora Hernandez and Sr. Maria Adelaida Villanueva as Assistants. The succeeding Superiors of the community were:

Sr. Nora Hernandez: 1983-1984Sr. Felicidad Boado: 1984-1987Sr. Maria Teresa Cristobal: 1987-1988Sr. Sarah Garcia: 1988-May 1989 (6 months)Sr. Celia Tacujan: 1989-1995Sr. Cynthia Calabig: 1995-1998Sr. Maria Teresa Lorenzo: 1998-2004Sr. Nora Hernandez: 2004-2006

However, by December 2004, there was a felt need to separate the formation community from the school community. The big school community of Sisters and lay educators and formands as well as the on-going process of PAASCU (Philippine Association of Accredited Schools, Colleges and Universities) accreditation constituted an enormous responsibility of the Superior which has repercussions for the quality formation of the formands. The discernment, thus, led to the decision of the Provincial Council to open a new community with temporary residence at some designated parts of the Novitiate building. At that time there were very few Novices, hence, two dormitories were vacant.

In January 2005, the FMA General Council approved the opening of a separate Aspirantate community to be called Casa Maria Immacolata in memory of our former community in Balic-Balic, where the Aspirants had been housed in the earlier years and which also gifted the Province with a good number of vocations. The new aspiratntate was canonically founded on May 31, 2005 as approved by the Superior General Mother Antonia Colombo and the Provincial Superior of the Philippines Sr. Alicia Fulgencio. The Novitiate building, therefore, housed two separate communities – the Novitiate with Sr. Jessica Salvaña as Novice Mistress, and the Aspirantate/Postulancy with Sr. Evelyn Lacsa as Community Animator/Formator from 2005-2011.

In 2008, the reality of the two formation houses and the Auxilium Catechetical Center (ACC) led to another important discernment and significant decision – the need of constructing a smaller building conducive to the

Sr. Melanie R. Pilar, FMA

5 June - August 2013 FMA Lifeline

As wise educators, spiritual guides and formators, Don Bosco and Mother Mazzarello laid great importance on the

value of the community as a privileged place of formation and its indispensable role in every formative process. It is for this reason that the choice of our Congregation is to entrust to a specific FMA community the young women who have decided to begin their vocational discernment in the FMA consecrated life.

The Aspirantate is defined as the period of assessment and guidance, and Postulancy by nature is a preliminary period and immediate preparation for the Novitiate. “Formands” is the term that refers to the young people in formation. In both stages, the community undertakes the significant tasks of accompanying and creating a family-like yet challenging environment that facilitates discernment of God’s will and the growth of new vocations. Our Plan of Formation describes a formative community made up of Sisters who welcome and accompany the formands called to the FMA life-style with which they can identify, assess

their choice and develop a gradual sense of belonging to the Institute. Hence, the witnessing of a life totally dedicated to God for young people is the best school of formation for the young women who are searching.

Today the Aspirantate/Postulancy qualifies as an international, intercultural and intergenerational community with an Asian face! We come from the Philippines, Pakistan, Myanmar, Cambodia, Mainland China and Vietnam representing the different stages of formation and seasons of life. The scarcity of vocation in different parts of the Institute also teaches us the beautiful values of networking, coordination, encounter, communication, dialogue and reciprocity in terms of formation. Convergence and continuity of interventions are sought with goodwill among all the members of the community, with diverse but complementary roles and tasks. Given the complexity of our times marked by psychological fragility, vocational inconsistency and ethical relativism (Letter of the Rector Major, March 2013), our community is challenged to respond to the call of reviving the charismatic identity of our

Sr. Melanie R. Pilar, FMA

formation of the Novices. Thus, with the approval of the Superior General Mother Yvonne Reungoat and her Council, the new Novitiate building was constructed and officially inaugurated on May 13, 2010. Since May 9, 2010 the former Novitiate building became the Aspirantate/Postulancy.

By God’s wisdom and loving design, the community has opened its doors in November 2009 to Julia Karen Ashraf, the first FMA vocation from the Islamic country of Pakistan where the FMA are not yet present. She was accompanied through the “Come and See” program of the SDB pioneer missionaries of the Philippines - South Province.

The community has been led by Sr. Melanie Pilar since 2011, and has become a welcome home to both Filipino and foreign formands as well as to some Asian FMA who come to the Philippines for theological formation and English proficiency course. It also houses the Mary of Help of Christians College department

(formerly ACC phased out in 2012) that offers a four-year course in AB Religious Education. The community extends its ministry to Mary Help of Christians School’s basic education Religion classes and academic subjects in college, as well as to its weekly catechesis for high school students in the nearby public schools. Together, the Sisters and formands animate the Sunday oratory in a slum area of Calamba City. Not to forget among its commitment for creating a culture of vocation is the daily Salesian assistance among college students and the monthly vocation encounter for young ladies in the vicinity.

Through the years, the hand of Divine Providence has always been felt so near, actively guiding every step which the Province has taken for the good of the formands and the Sisters tasked with the delicate but promising ministry of formation. The assurance of the presence of Mary, Mother of every Salesian vocation is a source of hope and joy.


Congregation in its dimension of prophecy for the world. Looking intently at our life and reality as a formation

community, how do we specifically render our presence significant as a sign of evangelical and charismatic newness in the Asian context? How do we nourish a vocational climate in our community? Is there a special wind felt blowing herein as in Mornese? (CL 925) I would like to describe the key marks of our collective lived experiences in response to these questions as follows:• Focus in strengthening a God atmosphere. We

believe we are a “house of discernment”. Called to an attitude of constant growth in contemplating the face of our loving God, we first educate ourselves in order to mentor the formands towards a discerning life. We willingly open wide our hearts to the purifying inspirations of the Holy Spirit. Education to silence, prayer and communication with the Father sharpens our capacity to listen to His voice spoken in the Scriptures, in persons and in ordinary situations. The example of our patroness, Mary Immaculate, encourages us to preserve a “virgin heart” inhabited by pure loving intentions and upright motivations. God’s grace is felt enveloping our ambient with His presence despite our human fragility and shortcomings. We beg the Lord of the harvest for the eventual response of young ladies to the gift of special consecration.

• Hospitality open to diverse reality, mentality and culture. We believe we are a “small Asian church”, a “miniature Institute”. Welcoming formands from diverse cultural backgrounds and family history is a particular circumstance that opens us to the unfamiliar and unconventional, challenging us to give reverence and attention to differences as an enrichment. Language is a major difficulty and at times triggers confusion, misunderstanding, incomprehension, impatience and solitude. Along the process of accepting and establishing interpersonal relationships, we feel called to build a culture of dialogue and of appreciation. Intercultural exchange is highly encouraged in our community specially during festivals and special occasions in our countries of origin. We are simply contented to taste and behold the novelty of characters and variety of gifts found within the community. Such hospitality also makes the missionary and international face of our Institute tangible!

• Simple, joyful and festive atmosphere. We believe we are Valdocco and Mornese today. We dare spell “Salesianity” as “Family Spirit” contrary to our natural inclination to functional and utilitarian relationships. Our support personnel are sensitized about the nature and mission of the community so that they too will be co-responsible in the process of formation. It is our desire that every young

woman sent by Our Lady to this community will experience a special climate of simplicity, warmth of a human home, joy and sisterly friendship. The small “animation groups” is a laboratory of co-responsibility, leadership and service in creatively giving daily life an air of celebration both in prayer as well as in bonding and recreation moments. Traditional little surprises make the community burst out into laughter, spontaneity and gratitude. This atmosphere makes the Aspirantate/Postulancy community vibrantly youthful and festive, a sort of antidote to the formands’ homesickness and temptation to give up and return to their former way of life. Gratitude to Divine Providence is strongly inculcated and is best expressed in our monthly 1st Wednesday thanksgiving Mass for the intentions of benefactors. May all who enter this formation house fall more deeply in love with God, within the Church imbued with the Salesian spirituality and charism!

• Educative passion and ardent missionary spirit. We believe we are missionaries of Jesus to the young. Here formation for the mission takes shape primarily in the integral formation of and care for persons. We are fully aware that the quality of life we witness to and all our formative interventions have repercussions in the mission, and the future of our charism. It is a big challenge for us to update ourselves in the understanding of current youth culture, their language and expressions and the multi-faceted human realities they experience. Our love for God, the Church and the young forms us and makes us restless in seeking new ways of adequately responding to the needs of the times. The young people in formation are offered the possibility of completing their formal education and studies of Theology which are a precious opportunity for growth in active citizenship and committed Christian life. A strong experience of community life and the mission, particularly of the Sunday oratory and daily assistance to students hopefully will become for them a school of gratuitous self-giving in loving service to others.

Formative [Educative] accompaniment is the mission of the entire community and is realized in an environment full of human and evangelical values, permeated with the Salesian Family Spirit. The ‘place’ is above all presence, listening, co-responsible sharing, a climate that inspires trust, a workshop for humanizing relationships, rich in faith and joy. (CL 905)

Our mission as a formation community may not always be gratifying, we may not even have the joy of seeing it to completion but it is always a source of pure joy to see young women grow into mature adults totally consecrated to Christ for the building up of His Kingdom.


Being an aspirant of the FMA sisters I feel happy to share some experiences of the Muslim state and my journey of discernment towards religious life with the guidance of the Salesians in Pakistan. The state religion is Islam, which is practiced by about 95-98% of the 187,343,000people of the nation. The remaining 2-5% practices Christianity, Hinduism and other religions. Muslims are divided into two major sects: Sunni and Shiase.

Christians make up 1.6% of Pakistan’s population, about 2.8 million people of the total population. They are the second-largest religious minority community in Pakistan. The community is geographically spread throughout the Punjab province, while its presence in the rest of the provinces is mostly confined to the urban centers. Meanwhile there are few Protestant groups conducting missions in Pakistan.

Growing up in a Catholic family living in Okara, Pakistan which is 50 percent surrounded by the Muslims, I feel blessed by God to have basic Catholic catechism, higher education and youthful atmosphere created by the Italian Priest, Rev. Fr. Giovanni Amato O.P. His love, concerns, patience, material helps, and spiritual and moral assistance helped me to nurture the deepest desire to educate the young girls and boys with Catholic values. His practical and prayerful life inspired

me to ask God the meaning of my own life. I was in search of my vocation where I could help the poor to have full human rights, to live the simple but joyful life with truth and freedom.

My simple, poor but hard working parents are both models for my life as active members of the different groups of the Church. My two elder brothers and two sisters are also part of the youth groups and generously help the Sisters and Fathers in their parish needs. As I finished my college, my family gave me permission to join any congregation. In 2010 I met another Italian Priest, Rev. Fr. Pietro Zago, SDB. I was impressed by his thoughts for the youth of Pakistan. I went to the province of Quetta for the “Come and See” program. Don Bosco’ Preventive system of education inspired me so much. From experience, I understood that it is based on love rather than on punishment; it is capable of attracting young people to holiness through the family spirit by educating them to say the truth and to live happy and joyful lives. Above all, the Salesians are catalysts of change in the education of the young. The Salesians of Pakistan are working for the poor of the different religions and especially, for Christian boys and girls. I deepened my love for the youth and I felt the call to consecrate my life for them in the Salesian setting. Reading the life of

Don Bosco and Mother Mazzarello I dreamed to be their follower.

During my stay at Don Bosco Learning Center in Quetta for the “Come and See” program, I worked with 22 hostel girls who belonged to simple and poor families together with 10 other aspiring candidates to the religious. We tried to live our life with love despite the many challenges. I felt the blessings of Jesus and Mary and tried to live the charism of Don Bosco for the street boys. I could say I nurtured the seed of my vocation by serving the girls in God’s constant and personal presence, passion for work with honesty and integrity, sensitivity to others’ needs and a life of hardship and mortification, prayers, love, much understanding and heartfelt service. Faith and trust in God’s wisdom sustained me in my two and half years waiting for the fulfillment of my request to be accepted as an FMA aspirant in the Philippines.

In this period of assessment and verification, I grow closer to Jesus Christ and Mama Mary and many times I feel called to become more humble, patient and trustful of my vocation in the hands of God. “God alone” is the source of everything. He uses humble persons for the journey of others. Now I am in the FMA Aspirantate. I feel great joy to be with the Salesian Sisters who are inspiring me more and more to be rooted in the love of Jesus and Mary, to be a true human person and a disciple of Jesus in ordinary ways . I could say that I have found the meaning of my life totally offered to God in the spirit of Don Bosco and Mother Mazzarello.

Nurturing vocation to the religious life within a Muslim cultureAspirant Gloria Francis

Aspirant Gloria Francis (2nd from right) with other candidates and Fr. Peter Zago, SDB during the visit of Sr. Jessica Salvaña, FMA and Sr. Melanie Pilar, FMA to Quetta, Pakistan in September 2012.


I was born in 1985; it was the year of the civil war in our county, Cambodia. The Polpot war continued intensely until 1989. The experience of war had affected my life; I felt always afraid at the sound of gunshots between the Pol Pot group and the army in the village. Our province was the most important place for them. I experienced staying underground every night in order to save our life when we heard the sound of guns. Many children did not go to school and the people could not go to the pagoda. I was growing up in a strong Buddhist family and living in the environment of the piety of the Buddhist people. The kind of Buddhism practiced in Cambodia is called Theravada Buddhism. Buddhism had existed in Cambodia since the 5th century. Theravada Buddhism has been the Cambodian state religion since the 13th century (excepting the Khmer Rouge period), and is currently estimated to be the faith of 95% of the population. But we do not understand the way we pray because of the language. When there is a feast we go for prayer but if it is not a feast, we don’t pray.

I am the eldest among four siblings; I have one brother and three sisters. All of us imitate each other’s way of piety in Buddhism. We believe that we have to do good in this life and when we die, we will be born again as human or animal; it depends on the way we live. It makes me suffer not to have known earlier that Iam created by God in His own image.

In the year 2000, we were searching for the school of Don Bosco in the city but we could not find it, thus returning home hopeless. I enrolled in the provincial high school which I successfully finished. However, I could not study in college because of the difficulties in our family. My friend who was studying in the city found a free school for young people. It was the school of the Don Bosco Sisters for the Girls, the Vocational Training Center in Phnom Penh.

On October 10, 2006 I started to study with the Salesian Sisters for a two-year course; after graduation I worked with them. I started to know about Jesus and Mother Mary. On the first day in the school, Sr. Teresita Garcia gave us the good night talk saying that each one of us came not on our decision. Our Blessed Lady brought us here and that message struck my heart. By learning the story of our Founder Don Bosco and co-Foundress Mother Mazzarello I felt wanting to become a Sister. However I asked myself, “How can it be since I am a Buddhist?”. I asked Sister Teresita if I may study the Catechism with her and with my Catholic classmates and she allowed me. At the same time, one Sister taught me how to pray the Hail Mary in English and I was so happy that she was our Provincial, Sr. Sarah Garcia. I started to know and love our Blessed Mother Mary deeply. I also learned that a loving God created me; it answered my question that I did not know where I come from. All the FMA Sisters became teachers of faith for me. Making me aware of my human dignity, I wanted to be a Catholic. It was not easy for me to ask my family to change my religion. Besides, what will our neighbours say about me if I become a Catholic? The situation helped me to be strong in my faith and in my goalto choose Jesus in my life. I have come to understand that being with Christ is not only for one day but that baptism is the indelible seal of love in me forever. I asked permission from my parents to be a Catholic; my father did not agree with my desire but my mother said yes. Then I told my mother that I wanted to be an FMA sister; for her, it was enough for me to become only a Catholic. But I wanted to be one among the FMA sisters, to offer myself totally to the Church and bring Christ to the people in Cambodia. Thus, I became an Aspirant of the Salesian Sisters. I have to stand on my own choice and my own faith because my family is Buddhist and I am the only Catholic. My family gradually started to

understand me and to help me also in my journey. It is difficult that people around me are Buddhists; I cannot share about the Gospel to them like the people in the Philippines; they will say that I am crazy.

Now my life is filled with grace from God. I have the wonderful favorable time to stay in the Philippines, a Catholic country for my journey of formation. To I deepen my faith with true experiences of God’s love not only in my mind but it comes from Christ who taught my heart to dwell more in him as He is the resurrection. The piety of the people around me influences my faith to live the hopes and joys of my life in freedom. Faith from God helps me to see the seed of vocation in my journey, to go deeper with him in the daily. As a Postulant living in the community, I experience the inner joys of prayer and the Eucharist, the formative activities of monthly colloquy, conferences, daily work, and study of theology. The study of Salesianity deepens my knowledge about the life of Don Bosco and Mother Mazzarello andthe Salesian mission. I trust God my creator, redeemer, and sanctifier who lives in me and is the center of my journey.

From Buddhism to Catholicism, God has been taking care of me, calling me and shaping me as His own. It is my greatest experience of God and my present conviction that I am God’s child who owes much gratitude to the Blessed Virgin Mary and to the FMA Congregation. As a Postulant I want to say that my life is from God and in Him has found its full meaning. I want to offer to God my life through the spirit of Don Bosco’s message: “For you I STUDY, for You I WORK, for you I LIVE, for You I am ready even to give my LIFE.”

Experience of formation from a Buddhist to a Catholic country Postulant Teresa Sopheak Phim

Postulant Sopheak (3rd from left) with other formands during the Local World Youth Day held

at DBTI Makati last July 27-28, 2013.


Ten Novices, five nationalities! There are three Filipinos, one Pakistani, one Sri-Lankan one Taiwanese and four from

Myanmar. This is St. Mary Mazzarello Novitiate, Canlubang, Laguna, in the year 2013.

We live in a time when intercultural encounters have become a common experience. People of different cultures and continents come to know each other, meet together and live closer at a fast growing pace due to migration, travel, work and the proliferation of different means of social media. The world is now a global village.

Unlike any other times in history this phenomenon is deeply affecting the formation of our candidates. Today we look at the unfolding of a person’s identity as something dynamic, multidimensional and constantly evolving. It is due to the complexity of relationships and influences in the diversity of membership in a community that has a multi-cultural setting. Each member is challenge to integrate these multiple components harmoniously and consistently with in one’s daily life. The community is called to be the space where one learns to blend these elements in a graceful and grateful manner.

The cultural richness that each member brings with her into the community has the potential to positively enhance one’s personal growth and enrich the web of community life. The meeting of various cultures unveil their awe-inspiring values as well as expose their weaknesses and limitations. It uncovers both the goodness of God and the fragility of human nature. Thus an inter-cultural encounter in a formative context can cultivate both gratitude and humility which fosters commitment and responsibility in one’s life, in community, and in mission.

The uniqueness of each Novice and her unique vocation story, though

conditioned by one’s familial and socio-cultural reality, transcends all cultural boundaries.

Since the charism is like a seed that adapts itself to any kind of soil, it has the potential to create personal bonds, fraternal communion and family spirit. It is the task of the community and its members to journey towards that level of spiritual maturity and Christ-centeredness that transcend all ego-centric and ethno-centric preoccupations in order to be effective witnesses of the values of the Gospel.

The diversity of expressions and ways of being can also create tensions and conflicting situations that can disrupt community living. However, challenging it may be, the community remains a valid training ground for inter-cultural relationship.

The formation community strive to offer a holistic formation that aims to prepare future FMAs who would be capable of inculturating the Mornese and the Valdocco spirit in the context of the mission to which they belong and enrich the same mission from their own cultural resources. We also strongly cultivate the sense of belonging which is our lifeline to the Institute. Expressed by each Sister’s fidelity, this sense of belonging traces its roots in the spirit of our origins. (cf C. art. 61)

When our community is able to tap the opportunities offered by the intercultural context we find ourselves in and deal with the challenges that ensue from it, we become more available to the work of the Spirit, the Architect of our history and the Agent of formation. The community strives all the more to immerse itself in the mystery of the Trinity, in the power of the Word and the Eucharist, allowing itself to be purified by the sacrament of reconciliation which gradually transforms it into a harmonious environment of cultural pluralism. A HOME empowered by Jesus so as to empower others unfolds into HOME so diverse yet so ONE!

Sr. Cynthia B. Calabig, FMA


Thank you Jesus for letting me see the world. But my heart belongs only to You.

I have experienced living in the extreme worlds of abundance and scarcity. From a very comfortable lifestyle, God has taught me to live, at times, with almost nothing. But it was precisely in those moments of ‘nothingness’ that I come to know, to touch and experience Jesus.

I was in Grade 5 when I first felt the desire to be a FMA; the witnessing of the Sisters and the family spirit I experienced in the oratory became for me a vocational proposal. The seed of vocation God has planted in my soul was watered daily through frequent visits to the Blessed Sacrament, daily Mass and encounters with the Sisters. However, the lure of the world was very enticing. There was a point in my vocational journey when I have lived such a luxurious lifestyle that I have almost forgotten the God who has once touched my heart.

God, however, is an ever faithful and patient God; He waited for my coming back home.

In June 2007, I came in contact once again with the Sisters through Sr. Lanie Pilar, FMA. I was filled

with joy when I made a visit to the Provincial House. I felt that after a long journey my heart was finally back home. I kept in constant communication with her and started to do some apostolate for the Vicuñans in the drop-in center of the Provincial House every Tuesday, and do tutorial work with our girls at Laura Vicuña Center every Wednesday. During the second semester of that year, I was accepted as Pre-Aspirant and at the same time a boarder at the Provincial House. There, I experienced what it means to be in our Lady’s school. My choice for Jesus was gradually maturing. I praise and thank God for His unbounded goodness and foreseeing love which I concretely experienced through the Sisters.

After College, I was about to enter the Aspirantate but a sudden turn of events in my family would not permit me. For two years, I worked at De La Salle - Canlubang as Elementary Christian Living Education teacher where my love for the young also grew.

Journeying with Jesus is not easy after all. For four years, I have been longing to enter the Aspirantate, but the period of waiting turned to be a gift and a blessing; they were truly a challenging and, at the same time a sacred part of the story of my conversion and growth in faith, where I encountered the faithful, loving and provident God. On August 28, 2011- I finally entered the Aspirantate.

How can I say no to you Jesus? You have loved me unconditionally – I give you my yes, may it be a yes now and forever.

SR. LEAN BANALO

O Lord, you formed my inmost beingYou knit me in my mother’s womb

I praise you, because I am wonderfully made

My very self you know. (Ps. 139:13)

I am Lucia Premar Htay. I was born in one of the small villages in Myanmar, a place which was simple where the

people work in the field. In my village some are Catholic families and some have no religion at all. I belong to a Catholic family. I am the number three among ten siblings. As a young girl I learned the catechism and went to Mass every day. But I did not know much about my faith. I was one of the members of children of Mary sodality in my village. I was able to participate in the activities of that group for three years, through this group I started to have a desire for a deeper personal relationship with God and sincere devotion to Mother Mary. As a child I had a dream of becoming a religious. Whenever I saw one I had great desire to be like her. When I was in grade one the teacher asked us, “What do you want to do with your life?” My answer was, “I want to become a Sister”. Through this answer I felt that God had planted the seed in me since I was small. As I grew up I continued to carry the seed in my heart. I felt that because of

SR. LUCIA PREMAR HTAY


Looking back at the 32 years of my life, I can trace many of the threads that compose it to

a unique tapestry God continues to weave: prayer, love for the Church and family, devotion to our Blessed Mother... Here is an account of the way these have played out in my life.

I am the only girl in the family; I used to get all the attention and care from my father. I was indeed “papa’s girl! I was born in Cebu but after three years my parents decided to settle in Calapan, Oriental Mindoro so that my father who was a soldier could often visit us. I have three brothers who are now married. I was raised in a family devoted to our Blessed Mother of Perpetual Help, the Black Nazarene and the Sto. Niño. From there the knowledge of my faith in Jesus and Mary gradually grew.

Even at school I would be enthusiastic in listening and studying catechism. Little religious practices and the teachings I acquired about our faith led me to the awareness of God’s presence in my life and in the life of my family.

From these experiences God knew how to ask me to go beyond them and to seek His will. I experienced certain restlessness when I was in 3rd year high school. At that time, I already knew the Salesian Sisters whose convent was near our home. I was invited to attend their vocation encounters and I was also frequently guided by my spiritual director to discern the will of God for me. However, things were not that easy especially on the part of my parents. When I told them that I wanted to become a Sister, they immediately refused and told me that it is not the life for me. I kept on insisting, but my persistence did not prevail. That was one of the saddest points of my life. At that time, I could not understand why things and circumstances do not allow me to move ahead and fulfill the desire of becoming a nun. Even though I had struggles, I would still follow the advice of my guide to obey my parents and to finish my studies. Even if it was very painful, I obeyed and trusted that it was the will of God.

College life was an adventurous one. It was a whole new world for me to discover and explore. I benefited from the dynamic life I had being on my own, allowing myself to be immersed in the reality of life in the city. That year, I lessened my communication with the Sisters and stopped attending vocation encounters in order to see the other side of life away from their shadow.

When I graduated from college and got a good job where I could enhance what I’ve learned from the course I took, I had to set aside the

voice within my heart calling me to do something more. I was caught up in my financial stability, the security provided by the presence of my family, a flourishing career; I was even able to fulfill my dream to educate young people through the subject that I was teaching. I was encouraged by some significant persons I’ve met in my life to do my mission well as a teacher.

Feeling secured in the state of life that I had at that moment, I was still confronted with that same feeling that I had during my high school years. It became more intense and it kept on murmuring in the depths of my heart. I thought it vanished amidst all the circumstances that I was experiencing but again I had to listen and give attention to it. When I dealt with it, I could not help but to cry because along my journey it was still Jesus who persistently waited for me to respond to His call. I became more conscious of His presence and I nurtured it with much love and care. I was guided all throughout by Sr. Vena Dominguez, FMA and was accompanied by the Sisters who were in charge of the vocation team at that time. It entailed a lot of discernment on my part, knowing that it would not be easy to ask the blessing from my family and to leave the lifestyle I was getting used to.

The grace of God however, was at work. He knew the right time to harvest the fruit of His labor and everything fell smoothly into place. There may be lots of temptations to withdraw my YES, like new opportunities of working abroad, a

SR. LYNEVE PARIÑAS

this great desire, I was encouraged to continue my studies. However the financial problem in my family was serious I had to struggle to finish the studies. Along the way I felt that God was with me, He provided what I needed and He led me to get closer to Him. Everyday I was praying for my vocation.

Religious Sisters are already present in my place but not the Salesian Sisters. At first I wanted to join the Sisters of Charity. Then when I was a grade eight student, one of the Salesian Sisters, who is from same village as me, gave me one booklet about St. John Bosco and St. Maria Domenica Mazzarello with their pictures on it. I

came to know them and the name of the congregation. I kept that booklet very well and I felt that something was calling me through this. I wanted to read it again and again. After my high school graduation I wanted to enter the convent but I could not decide which congregation to choose. While I was waiting and discerning my vocation I helped my parents in the fields. In 2008 some of the Salesian Sisters came and visited my village. I had an encounter with them and they were asking if I want to join with them. So, I asked permission from my mother and she was allowed me to enter.

In the convent I began to under-stand the lifestyle of the Salesian

Sisters. I decided to remain with them and I was attracted by their prayer and apostolic life. Under their guidance I continue to discern and deepen my relationship with Jesus. Through their help and with the grace of God I discover of the beauty of my life. My experiences with them made me realize the desire to serve God and others. Now I am in the Novitiate. I continue to respond to my calling that God has prepared for me. I love my vocation and I am happy because Jesus is center of my life. I am very grateful to God and to the Institute for allowing me to journey with them and accompany me to close with Christ and in my formation.


permanent status and a good salary, but these are all material goods. What strengthens my will and faith is my frequent reception of the Eucharist and being in tune always with God’s presence through prayers and the

signs I see in every event of my life.

I dare, I go, and I give my full assent to Him, and trust His will wherever He would lead me. Jesus repeats these words in my heart: “I have loved you

and you are mine… Remain in my love.” This will ever be my greatest motivation to continue in my journey of becoming His great work of art.

I was born in a Buddhist family. When I was small I often went to the Buddhist temple with my

grandmother. I did not know about God until I entered a Catholic school when I was in senior high. That was my first time to see images of Jesus and Mama Mary and I learned a little about them. I heard about God but I did not any real encounter with him. In the school we did not receive much Catholic teahings because most of the students were non-Catholics. However, there was one FMA Sister who went there to teach every week. I graduated from the school in the year 2000.

One day I went with a friend to visit that Sister in the Convent. By chance that Sister invited me to join a Salesian youth group but I was not very faithful to that. One day in 2002, I joined the Mass and, during Holy Communion, I suddenly felt attracted by the Host which the others were receiving. At that moment I felt God revealed himself to me for the first time through the Host. I looked at it and talked to Jesus in my heart: “Jesus, I know that I am not one of your people and I cannot invite you in my heart, but may I ask you that when you finish to visit your people, if you still have time, could you also come and visit me for a short moment?” This was my first prayer although I did not even know that I was already praying.

From that day on, I longed to receive Holy Communion and wished to receive Baptism. Jesus did not grant my desire right away. He asked me to

wait. On April 10, 2004, during the Easter vigil, I received Baptism and was given the name Mazzarello. On the same day I also received my first Communion. When the Host touched my tongue, a spontaneous cry came out of my heart: “I found it!”

However, I did not really understand what I was looking for. In 2005 I had a chance to teach in an FMA kindergarten in Taiwan and, in 2006, I saw many of my friends settle in life. For me it was like I had no real goal. I lived between home and work… work and home. This experience made me think about my own life: What am I working for? What am I here for? I felt there was no meaning in just earning money in order to have a comfortable life. I felt there was still something higher than these but I did not know what it was. Through this crisis God started working in me. I met one Sister and she willingly helped me to see the will of God in my life. I have been discerning for a long time and that was a big challenge for me and my family because I was the only breadwinner for the family. Finally, I decided to leave my job and give myself a chance to enter Aspirantate to further search what God’s plan is for me. I was convinced that God will help my family in other ways.

On April 24, 2008, I went to Hong Kong and entered the Aspirantate. So I started my formation journey. Because I am a converted Catholic, the Sisters asked me to study Catholicism for two years to deepen my faith. The Sisters did their best to help me. They gave me much love and care. I was a slow learner, but the Sisters respected my pace. I felt I found a new family.

On the third year of my Aspirantate the Sisters decided to send me to the Philippines for my postulancy. It was not easy for me to leave and go to an unknown country, to speak a new language… However, I also felt it was an opportunity to grow in my faith in God.

On March 10, 2011, I came to the Philippines where I became part of an

international community. There were Filipinos, Pakistanis, Cambodians… Through this experience, I realized that God is broadening my mind and heart and at the same time he helps me to understand myself from a different perspective, that of a multicultural community. Through the warm hospitality I received, I experienced some healing of my own background and past experiences. In the love the Sisters and my companions show, in the experience of the love of God and of the Institute, I grow to become a better person day after day.

I experience that God is truly everywhere. All of us came together from different places because the same God called us here. Out of the love of God we are able to live together and to understand one another. I realize that here we are not only learning English or Italian, but more important to me is the language of Love which is the bridge that connect us to one another.

Every time I recall my own way to salvation, I see how God entered my life and revealed Himself to me. He called me here out of His love and mercy. He wants to save me and bring me back home to my real self and to Him. His love also extends to my family. I am far from my family but my relationship with them has become closer. I am grateful for the generosity of our Institute, not only in accepting me but also in accepting my own family. I am not able to return the love of God and of the Institute, of each Sisters, but I can give a sincere response to God’s call. I can really say that my vocation story is the story of my salvation and I apply to myself this passage found in the Gospel of Matthew: “Today salvation has come to this house.”

I see the hands of God beside me. His hands are always there, accompanying, helping, protecting, supporting, and encouraging me in my journey. I know He will never leave me alone.

SR. MAZZARELLO LEE


My name is Sr. Ushananthini, the first Salesian vocation from Sri Lanka. The people

in my country have great respect for Religious and always give honor to them. This is the most beautiful thing that I admire in my country. Whatever their religion, they respect those who are called by God to serve him.

God’s call is something marvelous in my life. Even if I was studying with the Carmelite Sisters, I never listened to God’s voice personally addressed to me. When I finished my schooling and started to study a computer course, my interior ears were opened to God’s voice.

One of my brothers was studying in the Salesian seminary. Once my father and I went to visit him. When the rector of the seminary saw me, immediately he asked me ”Why can’t you become a nun?”. That question came spiraling in my mind and it disturbed me a lot. That was the time I really offered my life totally to God to respond to his call and I prayed over it. However, I didn’t have the courage to open to my desire to my parents because they had another big plan for me. I waited for the opportunity to express it to them.

Nothing is impossible to God. On a particular day there were two Sisters who came to my home to meet me. I did not know them because they were from India and I wondered why they are asking for me. I was so surprised, and I asked them how they knew my name and my house? Then they told me that one girl from my place told them about me and even showed them my house. They asked me “Do you like to become a Sister in our congregation?” I was so overwhelmed and immediately I said ‘yes’ to them. But my father got angry and reacted immediately not allowing me to speak about this matter. But one of the Sister told my father “Sir, there is only one thing; if God wants your daughter for himself,

nothing can stop her.” This proved to be true. My parents were very sad about my decision because they wanted me to stay with them and they did not speak to me for a long time. When it was time to say goodbye to my family, I left with one of my companions who also wanted to become a nun in this same congregation.

When I left home I was so sad but when I arrived in the convent I forgot all my sadness and sorrows because I was so happy that my heart’s desire was fulfilled. God heard my prayer and accepted me as his own daughter. In the beginning we were three candidates but after six months all left except me. I was left alone in that convent, but I never lost my hope and confidence. Since I was the only candidate in Sri Lanka, the Sisters decided to send me to India. I had my formation in India for two years, but, after that I was not able to continue there because of visa problems. Then I was sent by the Sisters here in the Philippines. I realize that even in different countries, it is the same love of God and love for others that matter. I always appreciate the beauty of religious life lived in faithfulness to God and to one’s self. I’m so grateful to Him for calling me to this specific vocation.

SR. USHANANTHINI SHAKAYANATHAN

Having Indian ancestors and being the oldest son, my father took the family tradition as

worshiper of many gods. To leave this tradition my father had to undergo some process. My mother who is a pious Catholic did not want us to be affected by this. She decided to bring us back to the city to continue our studies and be educated in a Catholic way. So we left our house and transferred back to the city.

My name is Julia Karen. I opened my eyes in a happy and loving extended family on March 14, 1984. I have five sisters, two brothers, my parents and grandparents. It was in my home where I first learned and encountered Jesus, in the Bible stories and in songs taught by my mother, and the first prayer I learnt was the “Hail Mary”. When I grew up I became a catechist to my younger siblings and cousins. Though the church was far, I never missed the Sunday Mass, where I used to see Religious Sisters in white

habits in the Church. Later, I joined Catholic youth group and was active in various activities. These were the days when I was able to identify the reason for my joy of seeing Sisters. I realized my own desire to be like them. But the charisms of the congregations I knew were not appealing to me.

I started to teach in our Catholic Sunday school in 1999. It was the time when I first met an Australian Salesian priest Fr. Hans Dophedie, SDB. I was impressed by his spiritual life and joyful dedication. I realized that this is the life I wanted to embrace. When I shared it with him he told me that they have just started the mission in Pakistan and he was not sure if the Sisters will go to Pakistan. But seeing my passion he asked me to pray and wait. This was my first and last encounter with him regarding my vocation. I started my long wait with my silent prayer. Keeping this desire in my heart I finished college; I continued to serve in the Church and started to work. Still there was no sign that I can

join the Salesian Sisters. I appreciate how my family accompanied me and encouraged me in my desire, saying, “If God wants you to be a Sister, he will show you the way.” I felt blessed when Salesian priests who visited Pakistan also visited my family because of my brothers who were working with them. I was able to express my desire to them. I was given a small booklet of Mother Mazzarello’s life and when I read it I was more sure about my Salesian vocation because of the similarity of my

SR. JULIA KAREN ASHRAF


Is it possible that a vacation turns out into consciousness of a vocation? It is only a matter of

changing an ‘a’ into an ‘o’. It was in this context that the annunciation of God happened and my dream toward becoming his started to become a reality.

Through the beautiful experiences at home, in school, and in the Parish my faith was nurtured and I grew with the dream of becoming a Sister. I had the desire but I didn’t know how this dream could come true. I have not even seen any Sister in my life but just the same, I kept this great dream in my heart.

In 2005, I finished my elementary education and in the same year I entered in the St. Ezekiel Moreno Dormitory where I could continue my studies and receive my Secondary School diploma. It was the last year of Fr. Broderick Pabillo as our Parish Priest before he became a Bishop. This event made me ask who would

run the dormitory. I was worried not knowing what the future will bring me. Months have passed and I felt sad until, one day, he announced that Religious Sisters were coming to take his place in running the dormitory. In my heart, what an emotion I felt! There was so much joy and great excitement when I heard this good news. Hearing this awakened the great dream I have always kept in my heart. On June 6, 2006, the Salesian Sisters arrived in Palawan to manage the Dormitory. I lived with the Sisters 24/7 for four years. During these years, both in times of joy and in times of pain, my desire to be like them grew stronger. I finished my secondary education and I knew in my mind that after graduation I could not enter the convent immediately and I planned to finish my college.

I graduated in the year 2010. Sr. Catherine Urgello who was the animator of the FMA community in Palawan decided that I study in Siena College, Quezon City to take up Religious Education. I took the entrance examination and had an interview with the dean of the college. After that I would just have to wait for the school year to start. After my graduation I did not go home anymore since it was May and the school year was soon to open. While waiting, I spent my vacation in the retreat house of the Sisters in Pansol. There I was enjoying my stay helping the in the kitchen and in the refectory while groups of Sisters were having their retreat preached by Bishop Broderick Pabillo.

My personal annunciation happened during this vacation in Pansol. It was May 23 in the morning when Sr. Sarah approached and asked me. “Shane, do you want to become an FMA?” Without hesitation, I said I wanted to be a Sister, and the next question came: “Do you want to enter this year in the Aspirantate to discern if you are called to become a Sister?” With promptness I answered, “YES!” Sr. Sarah then, embraced me while saying ‘welcome’. That YES changed my life. No other words come out of my lips except the words; “Thank you Lord and Mother Mary”. Then, I told God if you really want me to enter this year please work on my parents’ consent and for the things I will need in the convent.

Days passed and with joyful heart, I saw that God really took me seriously. After a few days, I got the news from a Sister that my parents had given their permission and blessing to enter the convent. Some relatives of the Sisters provided the necessary things I need before entering the convent. All the more I became convinced that I am doing His will and I told God ‘You are truly taking me seriously. You really hold me so tightly’. Hindi N’ya na ako pinakawalan at binitiwan pa. I can truly say; “I’m a clay in your hands, Lord. Mould me according to your will”. I said my fiat with all humility, acknowledging that I am just a poor girl like Mama Mary, in the hand of the Lord.

life with hers. Then I wrote a letter to Mother General and sent it through Fr. Klement Vaclav, SDB General Councilor for Mission at that time who came to visit Pakistan. But nothing happened. Hearing my desire and seeing me in the Church and in the Catholic Bible Commission Pakistan office many Sisters invited me to join them but how could I join them when I already gave my “yes” to Don Bosco and Mother Mazzarello?

On the other hand, according to our culture I should be married before I got very old and I was already 23 years old. This was the time to decide what I will do with my life. I asked God to show me a sign if he really wanted me. I prayed, saying that I will wait until

my 25th birthday. I continued to pray so that I may be able to accept the will of God. During those two years I tried to forget about my desire. I went on with my life. I had a nice job and many opportunities to be very successful in my life. And it was the time when He called me, through Fr. Peter Zago and Fr. Julio Palmieri both Salesians who were in Quetta. But then I was hesitating to leave my comfortable life, and I was also about to be engaged. At the same time it was what I have waited for 9 years. When I shared it with my family they told me that the decision was mine. I saw the goodness and grace of God who strengthened me and I said the words of our blessed Mother Mary “I am the handmaid of

the Lord let it be done to me according to your word.” God never abandoned me. He even brought my father back to my family and he was converted to the Catholic faith. I left my home, spending some months with the Salesians, and with their help, in 2009, I came to the Philippines. I am ever grateful to the Salesians who let me experience of God’s unending love and to my Sisters who accepted me in the formation house. I could never imagine leaving my family and country, but it is the love of God, the young and of my Sisters and their accompaniment that sustain me and make me able to renew, purify and deepen my “yes.”

SR. SHERLIN ORPILLA


How did we get to JRU?

Sometime in May 2012 Most Rev. Bishop Broderick Pabillo asked Sr. Sarah Garcia, FMA for a Sister to serve as Campus Minister at Jose Rizal University in Mandaluyong City. Sr. Sarah assigned Sr. Teresita “Tess” C. Saludares and by June 2012 the latter had gone through the procedure for admission to Campus Ministry through the Office of Monsignor Vicente Bauzon, Director of Campus Ministry in the

Archdiocese of Manila.For 15 days Sr. Tess had her Campus

exposure and “OJT” at the National University in Sampaloc, Manila under the

tutorship of Sr. Miguela “Mikey”, A.R., the octagenarian Campus Minister who has

been serving the community of the National University for almost two decades.

In July 2012 Sr. Tess started going to JRU Campus to observe, meet the students casually,

know people around, and familiarize herself with the different offices and facilities.

She was also learning the culture in a private non-sectarian university of about fifteen thousand student population --- a reality far different from other private schools.

Meanwhile the endorsement letter for Sr. Tess from the Archdiocese of Manila to the President of JRU was underway for acknowledgement and approval.

On August 14, 2012, Sr. Tess was called for a meeting at the office of Dr. Barbie Wong Hernandez, Vice President for Higher Education and Development Research. The Campus Ministry coordinator for Sta. Mesa cluster, Miss Ingrid Daba, accompanied Sr. Tess on behalf of Monsignor Vicente Bauzon. The meeting was a prelude to formally accept and welcome her as the Campus Minister at JRU Campus.

Finally, on September 21, 2012, Monsignor Vic Bauzon formally endorsed Sr. Tess to JRU as its Minister on Campus thru Dr. Barbie Wong in the presence of Miss Ingrid Daba. Campus Ministry at JRU was officially launched!

Dr. Wong entrusted Sr. Tess to Ms. Ma. Luisa Saba, Dean of Student Affairs, who allowed Sister to hold a temporary office in her department. The DSA office staff gladly welcomed Sr. Tess and immediately made her feel at home.

Ms. Ma. Luisa Saba, (R of Sr. Tess) JRU Dean of Students Affairs and staff

Sr. Tess conducting catechesis for First Communicants

Sr. Teresita C. Saludares, FMA

Sr. Tess with Young Rizalian Servant Leaders representing 200 members after their induction

Campus Tour at Technological University of the Philippines, Manila

What the MINISTRY is and What Sr. Tess does on Campus?

CAMPUS MINISTRY represents the Church in the Archdiocese of Manila in campus to revive, strengthen and lead the faith community towards the fullness of life.

Faith community is not “cultism”-- when all have been assembled to adopt someone’s personal perception of religion. Rather, faith community comes into being when people are called and gathered that the gifts of all might be welcomed, shared and celebrated. It is envisioned as WORSHIPPING, JOURNEYING, MINISTERING and EMPOWERING.

Campus Ministry’s service goal is to provide pastoral care and nurturance of the spiritual life and moral development of the students and adults on campus (the entire school community).

In order to build the faith community the Campus Minister organizes, prepares , assists, guides the liturgical celebrations. JRU has Mass every First Friday and first Wednesday of the month sponsored by the High School and the Elementary departments respectively.

The Campus Minister organizes and prepares the students for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Confirmation. The CM also conducts recollections for all year levels including the JRU Alumni.

A Systematic Catechetical Instruction for Catholics who wish to deepen their faith is also one of the tasks of the Minister on Campus.

In October 2012 Sr. Tess was requested by the Principal of the Elementary department to prepare the Grade 3 pupils for First Communion in December of 2012.

Sr. Tess prepared the four sections for First Communion. She met the parents first for orientation and catechism on the Year of Faith. She also prepared two certified catechists from the Parish of the Sacred Heart hired by JRU to help her give catechism lessons to 200 pupils. Sr. Carolyn Cabahug, FMA also gave a hand in teaching one section.

The First Communion Mass was celebrated at St. Dominic Savio Parish in the morning of Dec. 16, 2012 where teachers, parents and other guests filled the Church for the solemn occasion.

The Elementary Department of JRU and Campus Ministry organized an outreach activity for Christmas. They tied up with Sr. Jojo Carasco and VIDES Philippines because the recipients they chose were the streetchildren and youth of Pasay City whom the VIDES volunteers serve. The Elementary School Principal, Miss Josephine Culala, donated to VIDES a good number of new books for its “Busina Mo, Dunong Ko” mobile library.

Campus Ministry is a coordinated effort that involves the interdepartment heads of JRU at all levels. Sr. Tess appreciates the full support of the JRU adminitration particularly Ms. Ma. Luisa Saba, Dean of Student Affairs, to whose office the Campus Ministry belongs.

The Office of Student Affairs is the closest collaborator of Sr. Tess in the organization, formation and mobilization of the newly born group at JRU, the YOUNG RIZALIAN SERVANT LEADERS (YRSL). The group has elected its officers and they were formally inducted along with the members on July 29, 2013.

Because Campus Ministry empowers, it helps build a community of servant- leaders who enable others on campus to become better persons and leaders too, who serve, collaborate and build trust in the faith community. They grow through systematic formation and encounters with the community centered on Jesus Christ.



St. John Bosco Parish - May 24, 2013

Don Bosco Technical College - MandaluyongAugust 4, 2013

Sr. Yolanda P. Bati, FMA, Sr. Felicidad M. Boado, FMA & Sr. Aida M. Polotan, FMA

From left: Sr. Mary Anne C. Andres, FMA, Sr. Sarah B. Garcia, FMA (Provincial Superior) and Sr. Carmina Rhea P. Pajarillo, FMA

Sr. Geraldina G.Rubia, FMASr. Leilani N. Macoy, FMA

Sr. Alicia S. Fulgencio, FMASr. Carolyn M.

Cabahug, FMA

Main celebrant Most Reverend Bishop Honesto F. Ongtioco, D.D., S.T.L., assisted by Sr. Sarah B. Garcia, FMA, places the crown of roses on the heads of the perpetually professed Sisters.


A Call to the Fullness of LifeFacilitator: Sr. Eulalia Banawis, RVMJuly 20-22, 2013Mornese Center of Spirituality, Pansol, Calamba City

Positive disintegration in midlife transitionFacilitator: Sr. Loida Tortogo, CMAugust 16-18, 2013Mornese Center of Spirituality, Pansol, Calamba City

A call to intimacy beyond darkness and fatigueFacilitator: Sr. Florita Dimayuga, FMASeptember 6-8, 2013Mornese Center of Spirituality, Pansol, Calamba City

Finding God in my Golden YearsSpiritual surprises of later yearsFacilitator: Sr. Corazon Ricafrente, RVMJuly 17, 2013Don Bosco School - Manila

1st Provincial Educating Community CongressFMA Educating Communities: Witnesses to the New EvangelizationMornese Center of Spirituality - Pansol, Calamba CityAugust 9-11, 2013

TOPICS:The New Evangelization and the Philippine Church - Fr. Renato De Guzman, SDBThe New Evangelization: Challenges and Role of the Catholic Filipino Family

Fr. Fidel Orendain, SDBThe New Evangelization in the Salesian Context - Fr. Eli Cruz, SDBAs Salesian Parents, how does my family share in the call for the new evangelization? Mr. Mario & Mrs. Cynthia Mamon


Sr. Zhao Yanzhi Teresa, FMAChina (CSM)

English ProficiencySt. Joseph College

Sr. Nguyen Anh Thi Maria, FMA

Vietnam (VTN)MA in Media Literacy

EducationPaulines Institute of

Communication in Asia

Sr. Jisun Yoon Lucia, FMAKOREA (KOR)

MA in Theological Studies major in Migration Theology

Loyola School of Theology

Sr. Vu Phuong Thuy Trinh Teresa, FMAfrom Vietnam

assigned in Alotau, Sideia Islands, Papua New Guinea

Sr. Guadalupe Rojas Ruiz, FMAfrom Mexicowaiting to go to Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea(presently teaching Spanish language at Mary Help of Christians School, Pampanga)

Sr. Camilla Thida Myint, FMA

Myanmar (CMY)AB Religous Education

Mary Help of Christians College

Sr. Nguyen thi Bich Thao Margarita, FMA

Vietnam (VTN)Professional Updating

Mary Help of Christians College

Sr. Maria del Carmen

Canales, FMA

Sr. Elena Rastello, FMA

Facilitators

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Help us build the “BAHAY na PANGARAP”(DREAM HOME for the Elderly FMA).

Send your donationto any community of the Salesian Sisters nearest you.

Or deposit your donation to:BANK of the PHILIPPINES ISLANDS - Araneta Branch

Account Name: Mother Provincial of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians

Account No. 3271-0293-56

Any amount coming from the heart will surely count.For you and for your family may abundant blessings truly abound.THANKS for helping us realize our DREAM...

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Contact us:Daughters of Mary Help of Christians

(Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco)Provincial House

3500 V. Mapa Extension, Sta. Mesa, 1016 Manila( (02) 714 59 37

FMA Vocation Directress 09157873604

FMA Lifeline June - August 2013

fma lifeline - june-aug 2013

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