On October 24, 1984, three Holy Family Sisters arrived in the Philippines. The mission of Murine FERNANDO, Olivia JOSEPH and Anne-Marie O’BOYLE was to establish a community in the Diocese of Sorsogon (Southern Luzon).
25 YEARS CELEBRATION IN
On October 24, 1984, three Holy Family Sisters arrived in the
Philippines. The mission of Murine FERNANDO, Olivia JOSEPH and Anne-Marie O’BOYLE was to establish a community in the Diocese of Sorsogon ( Southern Luzon).
Twenty five years later, on
October 24, 2009, it was time to celebrate!
The Sisters are still not so numerous, (only 11), but the novices, pre-novices and aspirants bring hope. There are four small communities, in three Dioceses, and now a much bigger Family. With the lay and priest Associates the Holy Family presence has grown over the years. The roots have gone deep, and peoples’ lives have changed. God’s gift and grace worked through the gifts, as well as the weakness and fragility of those who have participated in the mission. In all humility, it can be said that the Holy Family has made a difference…
This “difference” was very evident on the day of the Jubilee: visitors and guests came from far and wide to join the celebration. Sr.
Kumudinie Dassanayake represented the General Leadership Team, and three former missionaries were also present, including Anne-Marie, one of the “pioneers”. The Barrio Church of St. John the Baptist was full to overflowing for the Eucharist; the Bishop of Sorsogon, Arturo Bastes, SVD, was the chief of 7 concelebrants, among whom were three Priest Associates and Fr. Franklin San Juan, the Parish Priest who welcomed the Srs. to their first community in Rizal, Gubat, Sorsogon.
The help of the Lay Associates in the preparation of the occasion was evident everywhere: in the decorations, the hospitality, and not least in the catering for the celebration lunch! It was truly a “family day”, a day of gratitude, of praise and thanks to God, of recognition of the bonds of communion and friendship that have been formed over the years. As Sr. Margaret Muldoon (Superior General) said in her Jubilee Message:
“A journey back to our origins and forward to today helps us to be more aware of where we came from and where we are going… we need to know our story in order to live with creative fidelity in the reality of today. It is a reminder that we build on the lives of those who have gone before us and that we, in our turn, hand on the torch to the next generation. All who were part of the Holy Family story in the Delegation are part of the tradition; each one’s unique contribution has enriched that tradition. As we celebrate this Jubilee we do so with appreciation for the contributions made by all the Sisters and the Lay and priest Associates who, living the same mission, are part of the Holy Family journey in this land.”
Eithne Hughes.