Colorful and Meaningful Encounters with the CLT in the Philippines
“Your leaders come, and suddenly you are in uniform!” Our mass presider, Fr. Percy Bacani, MJ, playfully remarked upon seeing the sisters at Mass, clad in matching shirts alongside our partners in mission. This brought smiles to the faces of the sisters, who aren’t typically known for wearing a common habit.
It’s been a while since the Philippines was visited by the CLT with the last scheduled visit in 2020 cancelled due to the pandemic. And so with much eagerness and joy, we welcomed the seven members of the team: Sr. Joan Marie Lopez, Congregational Leader, with Apostolic Councilors Srs. Josita Corera, Marie-Françoise Mestry, and Yolanda Sanchez, and Contemplative Councilors Srs. Sadhani Welmillage, Cristina Rodriguez, and Edith Olaguer during their visit form Oct 2-Oct 15.
QC and Cebu Gatherings
Two major gatherings were organized: one in Quezon City for mission partners, sisters, and lay from Luzon, and another in Cebu for those in the Visayas and Mindanao, including all contemplatives. These two-day sessions covered essential topics from our Calls to Action such as Contemplation, Universal Culture of Justice, Partnership and Leadership.
Beginning with contemplative prayer allowed participants to connect with their inner selves, recognizing the indwelling of God—the source of all we bring to our mission. The interaction provided the CLT with a personal glimpse into the Province, showcasing a range of experiences from humorous to emotional, inspiring to unsettling. Each story reflected the challenging truths of life in mission and community. The Spirit was heard through the wisdom voices of the elderly, the curious and ideal vision of the young, from long-time partners and those new to the journey with the Good Shepherd. The commitment to the mission was evident, alongside the struggles of fostering just and loving relationships.
Meeting with Teams
Meetings also took place with the Province Leadership, Formation, and Safeguarding Teams, complemented by visits to various ministries and communities, including shelters, economic justice programs, and schools and the Maria Droste Wellness Center. Our elderly and sick sisters appreciated much the visit of the sisters. Of course, there was time for rest and enjoyment of nature’s wonders in cold Baguio and the scenic Tagaytay.
In addition to the CLT, we welcomed contemplative sisters from Sri Lanka, India, and Korea, along with their Unit Leaders. The Contemplative CLT facilitated engaging sessions for six days particular to the contemplatives.
Cultural Experience
With October being Indigenous Peoples’ Month in the Philippines, the CLT’s visit to Baguio was perfectly timed for a Cordillera cultural experience, where they enthusiastically participated in traditional dances. The Barrio Fiesta in Quezon City, the Sublian Festival in Batangas, and the Sinulog dance in Cebu added vibrant local flavors, delighting our dear guests. All these express our heartfelt gratitude to our sister leaders and their selfless commitment to journey with us, bringing the love energy of our global mission.
This visit was a beautiful reminder to all sisters and partners in mission of the what unites us despite our diverse lifestyles, cultures, and vocations. While we looked good in our uniform shirts, we felt even better embodying the spirit of unity in the mission of the Good Shepherd, striving to give our best, just as St John Eudes, St Mary Euphrasia and all those who came before us did.
