Good Morning ,
We are gathered on the occasion
of our
25th Foundation anniversary of our presence in the Philippines.
Very briefly , allow me to give you a glimpse of the how was our journey 25 years
ago.
Sister Delfina , remembered with
love and enthusiasm that first encounter
with the Claretian Fathers in the
persons of Fr. Bernardo Blanco and Fr. Jose Maria
Marquez who invited her to come
to Philippines . The invitation was
not given an immediate response, it took
sometime even years before the invitation became a reality.
The consistent fraternal invitation of our brother
Claretians made the coming of our first group of sisters easy even the sisters knew that every beginning is difficult. The sisters started their missionary journey in the residence they rented located at Maginhawa, UP Village.
On July 16, 1990 , three years after , with
two more Japanese sister Cecila Kondo and Teresita Noi came to
form part of the community and started their new life ,in the newly build formation and retreat house, where we are gathered at present for this celebration . The sisters did not
only carry those things necessary for
the transfer, but along with them they
brought the first group of Filipina candidates through the
kindness of the Claretian Fathers. Among the 4 candidates, only sister Teresita
Buen stayed and still keeping strong with the grace
of God.
Big part of the history unfolded
in this present residence . This
formation house had welcomed and formed
those first few batches from India, from Srilanka, from Indonesia and East Timor , that had made way the
beginning and foundations of India , Srilanka
,Indonesia and East Timor .
At present we continue the mission of
forming missionaries extending
our wings to other Asian
territories ,except for India we have still with us Srilankans, Indonesians , and the newest are
from Korea, East Timor and Vietnam. The
work of promoting vocations is in
collaboration with our Claretian Priests
and brothers. Thanks to their kindness, thoughtfulness and generousity of heart for everything even
until this present time.
In January 1998,
the foundation in Zamboanga started ,with the aim to build a residence for female college students . At present it caters 48 college
students and young professionals
from different colleges and universities in the city and open even to
non Catholics .
In May 2002 , we extended our mission to
Guimaras Province, to manage a school which was formerly a parochial school in the Municipality of Buenavista. At present
we have expanded to elementary school
retaining the name of Sto. Niño Catholic School, the only Catholic school in
Buenavista , now catering 153 pupils.
Much has been given to us , more
is expected from us. God continues to provide
and confirm our mission in the
different places we are in and in the different ministries we do and share with
. He has filled us not only challenges
along our path of keeping faithful to our charism to MAKE GOD THE FATHER OF OUR
LORD JESUS CHRIST KNOWN AND LOVED BY
ALL…. But as well His goodness and kindness for the provisions that in our many
limitations of personnel and materials means
he taught us to “hope against all hope”.
At 25, we turn to God with a joyful and grateful heart , willing spirit to follow and
be faithful to the charism we receive from our beloved founders St. Anthony Mary Claret and Venerable Maria Antonia Paris
.
Along this celebration we have
been graced by God to have three more sisters – Ida Royani, Friska Purba
and Skolastica Neldis - who desired to consecrate and follow the
Lord more closely in the spirit of Claret and Paris , which we are about to witness in a little
while , let us accompany them with our prayers and support .
We are also happy to have with us
the presence of Sister Inocencia Rodrigo who had been with us in the Philippines for 23 years , who is
currently assigned in Indonesia. With us
also is our newly elected Vice
Provincial Superior Assunta Hori with her council.
