“Co-Shepherding Towards New Governance”: Local Leaders’ Meeting 2024
As we begin a new mission year, the Local Leaders of communities gathered for their annual meeting last July 15-18, 2024 at Maryridge Retreat and Renewal Center in Tagaytay City. The Chapter 2020 theme” Transformed by Love, Passionate for Mission” was carried on with sub-theme for the year: “Co-Shepherding Towards New Governance.”
The six local leaders of the communities were in attendance: Sr Ailyn Binco, Sr Teresita Cordova, Sr Edna Fuentes, Sr Diana Madulara, Sr Flor Tio and Sr Lilly Sorop. Since 2022, Local Communities had been consolidated and restructured in the Philippines as follows: 1) Baguio-Provincialate, QC; 2) Good Shepherd-Euphrasian Community in Quezon City 3) NCR-Bicol – Heart of Mary Villa in Quezon City, Welcome House in Paco, Good Shepherd Home in Naga and Good Shepherd Home Legaspi; 4) CALABARZON -Maryridge- Bahay Pastulan in Tagaytay, Bukid Kabataan in General Trias, Cavite, and St Bridget College in Batangas; 5 Vis-Min- Villa Maria Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Pagadian, Agusan Sur, Davao; and 6) Contemplative sisters – Virac, Butuan and Cebu. Unfortunately, the two local leaders from Toyonaka and Sendai communities in Japan were unable to join. Other guest attendees are sisters from the formation team and Human Resource Office.
This year’s meeting aims to gather learnings from experiences of restructured communities, to enhance leadership skills as spiritual animators and to renew commitment to the Congregational Chapter Calls to Actions and Province Directives. Members of the Province Leadership Team took turns in facilitating the session and activities.
First day was allotted for kumustahan, sharing of the joy and challenges experienced in Restructured Community. In the afternoon they all listened to the recorded video on “Spiritual Leadership” by Bro. Phillip Pinto, CFC. The following day, Sr Tess Figueroa, PLT link for formation, facilitated the session on Deeptime, which focused on our being interconnected, interrelated and interdependent. This speaks so much to the sisters’ life in community. Aside from listening to the input on Universe Story and Cosmic Spirituality, time was given for communing with nature.
Updates from various Province Teams: Vocation and Formation, Joint Formation, Integral Ecology, Stewardship, Restructuring and Leadership and Governance were given on the third day by the member of the Province Leadership Team. Updates on the ministry and on safeguarding were also shared. The contemplative sisters also shared updates on their communities and journey in the new governance. Open space was provided for questions and clarifications.
Activities to care for the body and soul were also provided during and in between sessions. The prayers prepared and the space for expressive arts were also much appreciated. This balance of being and doing, of self-care and caring for others is what we hope the whole mission year would be for all as the Province continues to navigate its way towards the new governance structure, in God’s grace and help!
