Sr. Elaine Basinger visits the Philippines
We Good Shepherd Sisters seize every reason to celebrate, to be together, to remember, and to enjoy one another. One good reason from November 20 to 29, 2004 was the presence of our link councilor, Sr. Elaine Basinger.
At 1043 Aurora Boulevard
The first day of her visit started with a Eucharistic celebration where we renewed our vows. It was a glorious day since it was the Feast of Christ the King and the silver jubilee of profession of Sr. Mary Amelia David. The liturgy was joyous and the singing was alive, what with ninety-five Sisters from Metro Manila and Luzon and two from Mindanao in attendance.
Exchange of greetings galore seemed not to end even with the call to bless the food that was waiting on the table. It was only when some noticed that others were waiting that there was a brief silence for the blessing. Animated table conversation soon followed.
Right after the meal was the sharing by communities of the history of the foundation and of the ministry. Eighteen communities were represented. The oldest was Batangas, with 92 years of existence and the youngest was Bahay Pastulan that was barely twelve months old having been blessed August 29, 2004. Interspersed with the sharing were songs to Mother Foundress composed by our own Sisters and a native dance.
Sr. Elaine was so pleased and she commented that the Sisters knew how to enjoy themselves and to her this was a good indication. She also recognized the Province for the initiatives that have motivated the Congregation. She likened the Province to a “motor”.
She envisioned greater networking on the general and provincial levels of the Congregation as well as working with other NGOs that have the same goals as ours, both on the national and international levels. She mentioned that we can make use of globalization to our advantage, we being an international congregation. The establishment of the Generalate was prophetic at the time of Mother Foundress, the question to us now is, what is prophetic for our time? What structures do we need to help us continue with mission?
In Cebu City
Gloriously sunny weather greeted Sr. Elaine on November 22 at Mactan International Airport. In the afternoon she began her visit to some of the community’s ministries. The first stop was at St. Euphrasia Training Center in Laray. As she entered the center, a rondalla of string instruments, played by the girls who at one time were street kids, welcomed her with joyous melodies. After the program, Sr. Elaine was toured through Carbon Market where the very first street kids were gathered. She met little children who at night sleep on rented tables that by day are rented by the market vendors. The evening was capped with a visit and supper with the Contemplative Sisters.
On the morning of November 23 she visited the day care center where the nursery and kindergarten children sang a message for her on the integrity of creation. The rest of the morning was a conversation with the CGS and RGS. A topic on which many questions revolved was that of small communities in the congregation these days.
The final visit was at Maria Droste Training Center, the last stage in the ministry with street kids. The girls there have finished secondary education and are doing courses to prepare them for gainful occupation. Sr. Elaine looked at their handcrafted fashion accessories and was invited to help herself to some. This she did with a view to seeing if there could be a market for them within the trading fair ministry of the congregation. Supper with the girls and the whole RGS community featured the traditional lechon.
As the visit ended, with Sr. Elaine’s departure for Butuan City on the morning of November 24, and viewing the visit as a whole, it would appear that God did the focusing. As far as mission was concerned, it seems that God set Sr. Elaine’s sight on our mission of life bearing among the urban poor.
At Tuburan, San Luis, Agusan del Sur
It was almost six in the afternoon on the 24th of November when Sister Elaine arrived in Tuburan. The Sisters sang “Welcome to the Family” with the aid of their copies which they could hardly see in the dark.
The next morning, six chieftains arrived in their colorful native garb to perform the indigenous cleansing ritual for keeping a guest safe. After a hearty breakfast, the Sisters gathered inside the Spirituality Center for a dialogue. Sister Elaine listened with her whole being as the Sisters shared the beginnings of their ministries and their current apostolates. On the part of the Sisters, their hearts were stirred by Sr. Elaine’s challenging words: “Let go…Reshape the way we live… We don’t need many words… It’s time to get off our high horses and get wet!”
The afternoon and on to the night was a “Pista sa Nayon” (feast in the barrio) – sharing of fun, dances, creative presentations, and bountiful food. Sr. Elaine even joined a Filipino game “hampas-palayok” (hitting the pot).
On the last day, Sr. Elaine visited the Urios-Balit Elementary School, a Good Shepherd School for Indigenous Children, where the students rendered songs, orations, and dances. A challenging appeal by a chieftain was for her to bring to Rome the plight of the indigenous peoples.
Despite the scorching heat of the sun, Sr. Elaine opted to visit the future hospital in Balit and the Demonstration Farm. In the afternoon, she went to the Sisters’ convent in Kalilid.
Truly, Sr. Elaine’s visit in Tuburan was an experience of interconnectedness and communion, a profound moment of freedom and joy.