The Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Bishop Luis Antonio "Chito Tagle" with the theme, "Pagdadala ng Buhay… siksik, liglig at umaapaw." Sr. Mary Cecilia Torres gave the introduction which was followed by the singing of the entrance hymn, Panginoon ay Purihin. Sr. Maureen Catabian sang the verses while all joined to sing the refrain. The entire song was interpreted in dance by six sisters. Sr. Mary Pilar Quemada sang the responsorial psalm verses, while the choir sang the response.

Bishop Chito Tagle, Sr. Lourdes Fabia,
Sr. Regina Pil and Ms. Eva Galvey

    At 9:30 a.m. the Chapter officially began with an Opening Ritual which had the delegates come in through the three doors of the Conference Hall, processing silently to Taize chant invoking Veni Sancte Spiritu. The end of the procession had selected Sisters carrying the symbols: a globe, growing coconuts, a jar of soil/ water, Paschal candle. A short reflection followed and some moments of silence. Then a roll call of the delegates was made by the respective Secretaries—Sr. Mary Tarcila Abaño, RGS and Sr. M. Celeste Engutan, CGS. Upon hearing her name, each delegate expressed her acceptance and presence by saying, "Panginoon, narito ako." (Lord, here I am). A prayer to the Holy Spirit recited choir to choir, then a blessing by Sr. Mary Lydia Ebora, and song to the Holy Spirit concluded the opening ritual.

    Sr. Guadalupe Bautista, General Councilor assisted by Sr. Ma. Teresa Pomar, CGS read the message of Sr. Liliane Tauvette, Superior General. After their reading, copies of the message were given each delegate and against a background of soft music, the delegates were invited to read again, and try to answer, "what did I hear Sr. Liliane say to me? Then the Sisters were invited to share with their listening groups. This was them followed by a sharing of volunteers from each group on what they heard from their group.   

Sr. Guadalupe Bautista, RGS, General Councillor and Sr. Marites Pomar, CGS read the Message of Sr. Liliane Tauvette, Superior General

FROM THE MESSAGE OF SR. LILIANE TAUVETTE, Superior General
September 12, 2002

Dear Sisters,

It is with joy that I greet you at this first joint RGS Chapter and CGS Assembly held in Tagaytay. I have vivid memories of my time and visit in 2001, in this ridge of Mary by the lake.

Your Province priorities correspond to the work that is being prepared for the General Assembly/Chapter with the theme, “Lifebearers for the poor of our world”. The Congregation has expressed the desire to deepen the Directions from the 1997 General Assembly/Chapter. It is a call to ‘Put out into the deep water.’ (Lk 5:4)

Starting Afresh from Christ (SAC), the Church’s document five years after Vita Consecrata (VC) invites us to a renewed commitment to the spiritual life, realized principally through contemplation and in listening to the Word of God. The Word of God is nourishment for life, for prayer and for the daily journey, the principle that unifies the community in oneness of thought, the inspiration for ongoing renewal and apostolic creativity (SAC 24).

Starting afresh from Christ means seeing with the ‘eyes of God’ faces disfigured by hunger, faces disillusioned by political promises, faces humiliated by seeing their culture despised, faces frightened by constant and indiscriminate violence, the anguished faces of minors, the hurt and humiliated faces of women, the tired faces of migrants who are not given a warm welcome, the faces of the elderly who are without even the minimum conditions for a dignified life. (VC 75) We add the disfigured face of the earth.

For you, the poor have names, faces and voices. Creativity in charity steps beyond giving assistance, direct service and creating right relationships. It crosses over to eradicating the causes of poverty and injustice brought about by the “ambition and indifference of many and by globalized but also insecurity and fear, crime and violence, injustices and war”. (JPII) Globalization of solidarity, as the Holy Father puts it, is globalization in which no one is left behind or excluded, where the poor are not deserted and workers are not disenfranchised. Rather, the dignity of each person is respected and the quality of life for all is enhanced.

Despite all efforts at planning, meetings and assessing of ministry and community, you might be tempted to say like Peter ‘Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing (Lk 5:5). The challenge today as it was then is to believe with Peter: “yet at your word I will throw out the nets” (Lk 5:5).

Throw out your nets in the deep waters of formation towards a life of compassion, in apostolic/contemplative mutuality, in prophetic and effective ministries, in leadership that is relational, participatory and transformational. Throw our your nets with the poor and with your lay collaborators in mission. Throw them out as you have done these past years in times of plenty as well as in lean times, in choppy and still waters, at the first rays of the dawn, under the burning heat of midday and the setting of the sun. At God’s word, throw out the nets in deep water nourished by the heroic shepherding of Sisters Consuelo, Catherine, Virginia and Concepcion.

Starting afresh from Christ means that Sisters in initial and on-going formation learn to be formed by everyday life, by their community, by their Sisters, by everyday things, ordinary and extraordinary, by prayer and apostolic fatigue, in joy and in suffering, until the moment of death. (SAC 15).

Once again I wish to express my deepest gratitude to Lydia Ebora and the Provincial and Major Councillors—Regina Pil, Patricia Perez, Elenita Belardo and Rosemary Bacaltos; Teresa Pomar, Elen Jalop, Geraldine Ortuoste and Therese Veloso. The service of responsibility, the ministry of authority and leadership is demanding and at times disputed task. May Carmelita Cruz and the Provincial and Major Councillors to be appointed and elected receive from you the prayers and support they will need to fulfill their service and mission.

In closing, I pray for you with Mary, Mother of the Good Shepherd. Like her and with her help. May you be able to hope against hope, love beyond tiredness, believe beyond every trial of faith. May St. Mary Euphrasia and St. John Eudes lead the Philippine Province to the future that awaits you as you throw your nets into deep waters and start out anew with Christ.

In the Heart of Jesus,
SR. LILIANE TAUVETTE
Casa Generalizia Suore del Buon Pastore Roma, Italia