This year we mark the 229th birth anniversary of Rose Virginie Pelletier, St Mary Euphrasia. More than wo centuries from her birth, we celebrate her life and impact in the lives of her spiritual children.
Welcome to the Novitiate
What a wonderful gift on the birthday of SME! Today, we had the joy of welcoming two Filipina novices. The Rite of Acceptance to the Novitiate for Sr. Mary Reah Deseree Uy and Sr. Marisse Lorono was held at Rosary Hall, Good Shepherd Convent in Quezon City. It was attended by sisters, partners in mission, and the Novitiate Community who came all the way from Tagaytay. Heart-to-Heart (H2H) team members—Tess Barsaga, Maribel Hernandez, and Micah Atienza—were also present, as both novices are H2H explorers.
Marisse hails from Cebu, while Reah is from Zamboanga. Maribel gave the introduction, creatively narrating their journey by using the names of the two formators who have guided, and will continue to guide, them: Sr. Sky Espina and Sr. Lea Comia.
- S is for Searching, as both found themselves in the H2H community in their search for God’s will.
- K is for Keep in touch, as they continued to stay connected with the group.
- Y is for Yearning for more, which led them to enter the Aspirancy and Pre-Novitiate.
- L is for Listen, a constant invitation in their journey.
- E is for Exit, marking the end of their Pre-Novitiate phase.
- A is for Acceptance, as they begin their new chapter as novices.
After the salo-salo, the new novices traveled to Tagaytay, where they will join six Vietnamese novices and three other Filipina novices. Together, they now form a family of 11, accompanied by two sisters: Sr. Lea Comia and Sr. Jacinta Duong.
Euphrasia the Musical
At noon, some sisters and partners joined the online showing of Euphrasia the Musical, sponsored by the Good Shepherd Asia Pacific Educators Committee. For some, it was their first time; for others, a repeat viewing. Either way, it was an inspiring and meaningful look back at the life of St. Mary Euphrasia.
The experience was made even more engaging by the presence of sisters, partners, and program participants—mostly students from Good Shepherd schools across Asia Pacific. Between Acts I and II, there was lively interaction among the online audience, hosted by two energetic student emcees.
Kalye Sta. Maria Euphrasia
Later in the afternoon, a street food festival for a cause—Kalye Sta. Maria Euphrasia—was held at the grounds of Heart of Mary Villa. It featured Filipino favorites such as fishballs, siomai, hotdogs, barbecue, and “dirty” ice cream, along with fun booths offering arts and crafts, prayer intentions, message boards, and an audiovisual presentation on SME’s life.
The event, part of the 25th anniversary celebration of SMEIDFI (St. Mary Euphrasia Integrated Development Foundation Inc.), served as a fundraiser for its ministries. It was a joyful time of fellowship for sisters, partners in mission, benefactors, family, friends, and program participants.




Tribute to Graduates
In Baguio, a Mass and tribute were held for the 15 graduating student-workers of the Mountain Maid Training Center—a touching culmination of their years of hard work. The Mass was presided over by Fr. Joey Artienda, SVD, and attended by sisters, partners in mission, and student workers.
The graduates offered two songs—The River and Tungo sa Pangarap—beautifully summing up their journey. Service Awards for 30 and 35 years of dedicated service were presented by Sr. Cecille Torres, Local Leader of Our Lady of Charity Community, to which Baguio belongs. Residents of the Rose Virginie Pelletier Hostel added to the celebration with two dance performances: Dreams We Hold and We Are Pilgrims of Hope.