NEWS
New Postulants, Novices Join the SFIC
Three aspirants to religious life sought admission and were accepted to the Postulancy Program in the Philippines on May 27, 2007, Pentecost Sunday. They are: Ms. Ernilyn Aquino from Manila, Ms. Levie Nacion from Santiago, Isabela and Ms. Mychelle Catusalem from Baler, Aurora. Two Thai ladies, Ms. Boonsiri Duangthong and Ms. Teuanjai Wanwai, joined the Program in Nong Din Dam, Ubon Ratchathani , Thailand on June 13.
In the Philippines, former Postulants moved on to Noviceship on May 27: Sisters Christine May, Henriette Sambile, Melanie Galo and Ma. Nida Gonzales. In Thailand, three were also initiated in Warin, Ubon Ratchathani: Sisters Nungruthai Khamkom, Sirinapa Kaewhawong and Wanwisa Boonsai.
Five Novices completed their two-year Noviceship in the Philippines, and made their First Profession of Vows at the La Colina Chapel in Marikina City on May 17: Sisters Carolina Tolentino, Estrelita Tuscano, Leah Sagal, Mariam Dungog and Sally del Mundo.
First SFIC House in Quezon City Celebrates 75 Years
The Central House Communities in Quezon City celebrated the 75th anniversary of establishment on May 5, 2007 in a nostalgic celebration bringing back memories of the beginnings of what was formerly known as SJC Convent, putting together the past and the present in a joyful repertoire of old and new Mass songs.
The efforts of the late Most Rev. Constant Jurgens, CICM, Bishop of Tuguegarao, who took the initiative to bring the first SFIC Dutch Sisters to the Philippines was greatly acknowledged. Mother Chantal Tummers, Mother Seraphica Zwetsloot and Zr. Magdala Verhuizen were the Dutch Sisters who inaugurated the house.
The archive collections assembled by Sister Ancilla Cabula were opened for viewing after the Mass at the Central House Conference Room. They brought to mind the purpose for which SFIC came into existence: to build the Kingdom of God and society by committing ourselves to the needs of the times in which we live, giving preference to the poor and the needy, as Sister Teresia van Miert had lived out the Gospel life in her own time, in the spirit and after the example of St. Francis.
Chapter Movement Towards 2008 Launched
On April 15, 2007, the Chapter Movement leading to the 6th Provincial Chapter in the Philippines was launched. It issued a call to all members to exercise responsibility for mutual authority with regard to the basic concerns of the Province, not in isolation of, but within the present-day context of Church, world and national situation.
A Chapter Preparatory Committee, or PrepCom, was formed, composed of Sister Mary Clare Samonte (chairperson), and Sisters Theresina Estalilla, Teresita Babaran, Maria Victoria Galamay, Maria Luisa Simon, Mary Grace de Guzman and Ruth Diaz, members. They are tasked with facilitating the assessment of the extent of implementation of resolutions approved at the 5th Provincial Chapter in 2004, as well as soliciting proposals related to the concerns of the Province, for presentation to the 6th Provincial Chapter.