Philippines - Marist Sisters in Asia-Pacific

Prayer for Regional Chapter

Marist Sisters of Asia-Pacific
Regional Chapter
18-28^th October 2014

A Chapter is a special time of grace for a Religious Congregation. It is an opportunity to review the life and mission of the Congregation in the light of its Charism and founding spirit. The Regional Chapter for the Marist Sisters in Asia-Pacific will take place in Auckland from 18th to 28th October. Our Chapter theme – Women of the Word, Embracing Life – invites us “like Mary to a profound pondering of the Word: listening, hearing, and acting, remembering, rejoicing, and releasing the Word” (Sr Jane Frances O’Carroll, Congregational Leader, April 2014).

We invite you to pray with us as we journey towards this sacred event and also during the days of Chapter. Download the Asia-Pacific Chapter Prayer.

Seeking Restorative Justice

Marist Sisters Sheila and April attended the Regional Assembly and Reflection Session on Restorative Justice for all Prison Chaplains and Volunteers in the different Dioceses of Mindanao last August 11-13, 2014 in the Diocese of Tagum.

This is annual assembly held under the auspices of the CBCP-Commission on Prison Pastoral Care’s Executive Secretary , Mr. Rudy Diamante, is held for fellowship among Mindanao prison volunteers and for pastoral and theological updating; discussing issues affecting the jails and prisons in the Mindanao Region.

Anniversary of Jeanne-Marie Chavoin’s Birth

Jeanne-Marie Chavoin, foundress of the Marist Sisters, was born on 29^th August 1786 to Théodore Chavoin, aged 20, tailor, and Jeanne Verchère, aged 19, servant. Her parents may have been young and unprepared but it seems they made a good marriage and brought up their daughters in a loving, open, happy home. Jeanne-Marie grew in an atmosphere of practical faith and came to develop what could be termed “hidden holiness”. It was this quality which was later to provide the key to her vocation.

God of creation,
we praise and thank you for the birth of Jeanne-Marie Chavoin,
our foundress, Mother St Joseph.

We thank you for her parents, Théodore and Jeanne, for their love, their courage, their acceptance of responsibility and all they taught Jeanne-Marie.
We thank you for our own parents, the families which prepared us for life.

May Jeanne-Marie Chavoin intercede for us today,
that we may present a Marian face in our world –
a face of compassion, understanding and love,
a face which accepts people as they are,
yet encourages them to grow in goodness.

With them, may we be brought forth to the life of grace.
We pray this in the name of Jesus your Son.

Assembly in Philippines

Marist Sisters in the Philippines gathered for their Sector Assembly 24-26 July during which they reflected on the theme of the coming General Chapter for the Marist Sisters – Women of the Word, Embracing Life. Fr. Pat Devlin, SM, the District Superior of the Marist Fathers, facilitated the assembly.

During the assembly it was beautiful to hear the fruits of each sister’s reflection on this theme. There was time to share on what will threats prevent them from becoming Women of the Word Embracing Life and on what will help improve their lives so as to be true to their call to be the presence of Mary in our world and to be a woman of the Word.

At the end of the assembly, an Affirmation Ritual took place. Each sister named and wrote down the giftedness she can contribute to the sector. This was placed under Mary’s and Mother Foundress’ image. Then as a sign of their appreciation for each other, they affirmed each other’s giftedness. The sisters give thanks to God for the grace-filled experience of this assembly.

Regional Newsletter No 1, 2014

In a recently released issue of the Marist Sisters in Asia-Pacific Newsletter you can read about the work of the sisters with the homeless, those exploited, those recovering from trauma and those who are seeking God in their lives. There is also a report on the events in Waitaruke, New Zealand, to acknowledge eighty-six years of service by the Marist Sisters.

Download your copy of the newsletter here.

Fire Destroys Homes in Davao, Philippines

In early April, Isla Verde and some barangays in Boulevard were ravaged by a fire that went on for 6 hours. Thankfully no one lost their life in the fire but almost 3,000 families were left homeless and are now being temporarily housed at a gymnasium, in classrooms of a school near the area, and at the nearby Magsaysay Park. Most of the fire victims are Badjaos, a seafaring group who are known as sea gypsies. They are mostly seen in the city streets begging but slowly they were starting to build their lives by earning money from selling ukay ukay or peddling other goods. Now they will have to start all over again.

The Learning Center, where the Marist Sisters were teaching the Badjao children life skills, was also burnt to the ground during the fire. The city government has been giving support to the victims but more help is needed. The families are in need of clothes, food, water and medical service.

Please join with the Marist Sisters in praying that the people affected by the fire will be given the support they need to rebuild their lives and so live with dignity.

Regional Newsletter No. 2, 2013

It has been a great joy to welcome to Sydney sisters from throughout our congregation who are in temporary profession. Meet the sisters in the latest Asia-Pacific Regional Newsletter. You can also read of the 175th anniversary celebrations of the arrival of Bishop Pompallier and the first Marist in New Zealand, Diamond Jubilee celebrations in Lami, Fiji and the typhoon in the Philippines.

Download a copy of the newsletter here.

Marist Students in Davao, Philippines

On 2^nd December, two teachers and three students from Marist Sister’s College, Woolwich have spent a 2 week immersion period in the Marist Sisters’ and Marist Fathers’ communities and ministries in Davao, Philippines. The students have just completed Yr 12 and chose this immersion experience instead of attending schoolies week. While in Davao they visited the Bajao school, the Balay Pasilungal Boys Centre, the Davao City Prison and the Mental Hospital.

It has been a joy for the Marist Sisters in the Philippines to host the students and their teachers and to share with them a little of the ministry they do to bring the compassion of Jesus and Mary to those who are vulnerable and neglected.

Gathering of Young Marist Sisters

Young Marist Sisters from Benin, Senegal, Gambia, Brazil, Mexico, Fiji, Philippines and Papua New Guinea have gathered in Sydney for a period of spiritual renewal.

During the week prior to their renewal the sisters have had an opportunity to see some Sydney landmarks, tour places of Marist significance in Sydney and visit two Marist Secondary schools where they interacted with students including those from their own cultures. Despite differences of culture and language the sisters are experiencing the unity of their common desire to live the Marist spirit in our world today.

Vocation Awareness in Davao

The month of September is Vocation Month in the Archdiocese Davao. Throughout the month the DVP (Directors of Vocations in the Philippines) Davao of the different congregations, including the Marist Sisters, visited universities, schools and parishes, posting vocation materials and holding vocation sharing with the young people of Davao.

29th September 2013 was the culmination of vocation month in the Assumption Parish, Davao. The Marist Sisters’ Mapa community is in this parish. At the 8.00 am Mass during this culmination celebration at the Assumption Church, Sr Sheila gave a talk in which she shared her vocation story. On the same day at 3.00 pm young people and members of different religious congregations from the Assumption Parish gathered outside the Church for a short vocation talk and to view a film. This was followed by a Vocation Walk of about one hour around the nearby vicinity. Two Marist aspirants, Hazel and Mafel, from the Mintal community, and Sr Monica, from the Matina community, also took part in this walk.

Category: Philippines