Salvatorian Pastoral Care for Children

SPCC- Cebu has finally it's own little office situated withn the Fr. Francis Jordan community convent and Salvatorian School compound. It was blessed last July 25, 2009. The SPCC- Cebu has expanded from St. Arnold Janssen Parish to Holy Cross Parish which is a great challenge to the SPCC-Cebu Staff especially for Sr. Eloisa Holdiem, SDS, the Project Director, however, the determination and commitment of those involved is quite strong. The launching and signing of the Memorandum of Agreement between SPCC and Holy Cross Parish took place last Dec. 12, 2009.

Proponents Meeting

The sisters who are directly involved in SPCC both Quezon City and Cebu together with the Regionalate met to review and complete the SPCC Manual and Policies last October 30 to November 1, 2009. Sr. Clara Ma. Bentulan was also invited due to her experience and knowledge of SPCC Finances. The group were grateful to each other for the joint efforts done.

Novices Retreat

As a vital part of the preparation of the two novices for first profession of vows, Novice Ruth Baguinon and Novice Rose Agnes Etong, had their 8 days directed retreat at Betania Retreat House,at in Domingo St., a walking distance from the our regional house in Quezon, City. They were accompanied by Sr. Nenette Santiago, RVM from November 25 to December 4, 2009.

First Sunday of Advent

The Lay Salvatorian Group had their advent recollection with Fr. Christopher Kowalczyk, SDS

and Sr. Irma Caumeran, SDS last November 29-30,2009 at Lebanon Shelter, New Manila with the theme on “ Forgiveness”. On November 30, the Regional House Community had their monthly recollection too, so in the afternoon, they were together for the Eucharistic Celebration and the lighting of the first Advent candle.

Religious Investiture

The two novices had their religious investiture on December 7, 2009 at 2:30P.M. with a Eucharistic celebration celebrated by Fr. Christopher Kowalczyk.

Feast of Immaculate Conception

The 121st. Foundation day celebration of the congregation on the feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary

is a day of thanksgiving and rejoicing for the region. Two novices, Sr. Ruth Baguinon and Sr. Rose Agnes Etong, both from the southern part of the Philppines, made their first profession of their religioud vows. The Eucharistic celebration was officiated by Fr. Christopher Kowalczyk , SDS at 5:00 oclock in the afternoon.Candidate Grace Cabanas from Cebu was also officially accepted to postulancy with a simple liturgy in the morning.

SPCC Board of Trustees

The Phillipine Region is so grateful to hold its first SPCC Board Meeting last Dec. 10, 2009 at the Lebanon Shelter Conference Room after eight long years existence of the project. The attendance of the board was hundred percent. After the meeting a simple lunch was served for the members of the board of trustees with all the sisters in the regional house community.

Christmas Gift Giving

The Salvatorian Sisters, Fathers, Brothers, seminarians and one representative from the Lay Salvatorian volunteered and joined in the Big Christmas gift giving for 5,000 children from the poor families of the nearby barangays and towns of Pasig City, Metro Manila on December 5, 2009. It was almost a whole day activity sponsored by “Puso sa Puso” (Heart to Heart ) Foundation where Fr. Artur Chrzanowski, SDS is actively involved as one of its principal organizers. There were 1000 volunteers all together who helped in the distribution of food and gifts for the children.

On December 12, 2009 the Lay Salvatorians and the SPCC-Q.C. once again joined together for the annual Christmas gift giving at St. Joseph the Defender Parish at Barangay Holy Spirit in Commonwealth, Quezon City. There were 300 poor children from the squatters area who went home full of joy with the gifts they receive and the food that they have enjoyed in the party.

The Salvatorian School in Cebu held also its Christmas Party last Dec. 19,2010. The children together with their parents were dressed in their best Christmas attires. The Salvatorian Sisters and the school staff took great effort to prepare the children for the different Christmas presentations. The children performed very well in the program that made the parents proud very proud of. The program was closed with an exchanging of gifts and sharing of food.

Visitation

Sr. Irma Caumeran, SDS, the regional coordinator took the opportunity to visit all the communities in the Phillipine Region. She was grateful indeed for the gracious encounter and the warm acceptance, openness and cooperation of the sisters in the different communities. She tried to visit also some areas of apostolate of the sisters and talked to SDS mission partners and collaborators. She had the following schedule :

Blessed Mary of the Apostles Community, Tara Pangasinan – October 15-16, 2009

FormationHouse, Silang Cavite – October 17-18, 2009

Regional House Communit, New Manila, Quezon City – November 12- 17, 2009

Mater Salvatoris Community, Deparo Novaliches – November 27-28, 2009

Fr. Francis Jordan Community, Basak San Nicolas, Cebu City – December 12- 17, 2009.

The life and mission of the sisters in the Philippine Region is dynamic, striving to face the challenges and demands of community and apostolic life . However, balancing work, prayer and rest is an area which needs to be seriously taken into consideration.