The News
Sr. Mary Damian Español, SDS
“This is eternal life to know You, the only true God,
and Jesus Christ whom You have sent”
John 17:3
Born: October 21, 1925
Professed: August 15, 1966
Died: January 2, 2011
May her life be an inspiration to us, a life of total dedication in the vineyard of the Lord, a life of quiet service, all done that Jesus Christ be made known and loved in the world.
Philippine Region Newsbrief of April - June 2010
SDS SISTERS PARTICIPATES THE COUNTRY IN PRAYER
As the country was nearing to its National Presidential Election there were so many different religious and non-government organizations who concerted efforts for education and advocacy for a clean, honest and peaceful election in the different parts of the country especially in Metro Manila. The Sisters in the Regional House participated series of prayer rallies, talks and recollections organized by Major Religious Superiors and other non-religious groups in the country. The May 10, 2010 presidential election has brought the Filipino people all over the world to be united in prayer for a clean, honest and peaceful election.
SDS MISSION PARTNERS
The Integrated Pastoral Development Initiative Inc. ( IPDI ) held its first assembly meeting in Lebanon Shelter Conference Room on April 19, 2010 in the Regional House Compound, which was attended by some sisters especially involved in SPCC. The said organization assist in the growth and development of the programs of Salvatorian Pastoral Care for Children (SPCC) in Quezon City. One of the guests was Stephanie Schüller from MISSIO Aachen, Germany who unexpectedly able to see the Lebanon Shelter building which was also under MISSIO funded project. It was indeed a blissful meeting.
SEMINAR ON ACCOUNTING FOR NON-ACCOUNTANTS
The Sisters in the Philippine Region gather together to attend the seminar on accounting for non-accountants on April 25, 2010 sponsored by the new auditor coming from Isidro and Company of the region. The Region is so grateful to Atty. Ponciano Cruz , legal adviser and a good friend of the Salvatorians. He encouraged the Regionalate to have one auditor only for the institutions and projects of the Region. He directed the Regionalate to Mr. Ricardo I. Isidro, the new auditor and a manager of Accountants and Consultants Company.
CONGREGATION COUNCIL MEETING IN BRAZIL
Sr. Irma Caumeran, SDS took the opportunity to share the congregational council meeting held in Brazil to the sisters in the region on April 26 2010. It was a whole day sharing of experiences, information, knowledge and learning. The theme “Weaving Salvatorian Life” continues to lead, inspires, challenge and move the Philippine Region into the third step of the process of weaving. The congregational council output presented in the proposal on the four glasses of organization, lifestyle, spirituality and mission shed light and clearer focus and direction of the Philippine Region.
ENCOUNTER WITH SDS FATHER'S GENERALATE MEMBERS
The Sisters attended the perpetual profession and first vows of SDS brothers in
Talon, Amadeo on May 1, 2010. Fr. Piet Culpers, the Vicar General of the SDS
Fathers shared an inspiring and challenging homily on vocation and commitment.
After the celebration Fr. Piet Culpers, SDS and Fr. Paul Portland, SDS
requested a short meeting with the Regionalate team.
SISTERS’ ANNUAL RETREAT
The Sisters had their annual retreat on May 2- 8,2010 at the Sisters of Charles
Borromeo Retreat House in Tagaytay. Bishop Teodoro Buhain, D.D. directed
the retreat with the theme “ Weaving Salvatorian Life”. On the last session of
the retreat Bishop Buhain lead us to plan by communities steps to
self-sufficiency where each one has to commit and offered during the closing
Eucharistic celebration.
THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL ELECTION
The Sisters in Manila and in Cebu volunteered as poll watchers in the different
voting centers. They didn't bothered the heat and thirst from early morning to
evening as long as the votes of each Filipino citizens be guarded and kept safe.
GET TOGETHER OF LOCAL COORDINATORS
The Local Coordinator of the different communities had it's first meeting this year 2010 on April 27 at the Lebanon Shelter conference room, Quezon City together with the Regionalate team. What a feeling it is to listen to one another who has shared responsibilities and dreams. The group is looking forward for the next encounter in September 2009 that will be held in Tara, Pangasinan.
Philippine Region Newsbrief of January - March 2010
WELCOMING THE NEW YEAR 2010
The Philippine Region welcomed the new year full of hope and joy for the blessings of the Lord. Effective January 1, 2010 the New Manila community has turned to be the Regional House Community with Sr. Irma Caumeran, SDS as coordinator. New assignments also took effect for the sisters in the different communities and apostolate.
Philippine Region Newsbrief of October - December 2009
Typhoon Disaster
The center of Metro Manila was badly hit by typhoon Ondoy last Sept. 28 and 80 percent of Greater Manila Area and the neigboring cities were underwater. Evacuation centers were set up. Public school buildings and some private schools were open for flood victims and evacuees. Some sisters were actively involved in the facilitation of relief goods and medical missions at the height of the calamity and the process of psycho-social support recovery program until at present in the Diocese where Salvatorian Sisters are working .
The Blessing of Lebanon Shelter
On the feast of the birthday of Blessed Virgin Mary last Sept. 8; the Philippine Region also celebrated the closing of the year of Fr. Jordan and the blessing of the Lebanon Shelter, the three story building behind the original Regional House. The celebration was highlighted with the mass at 2:30PM concelebrated by Fr. Christopher Kowalczyk, SDS, Gregory Coulthard, SDS Artur Chrzanowski, SDS and two Scalabrini priests, Fr. Paolo and Fr. Edwin Corros. The theme of the celebration was “ With one heart and voice, praising and proclaiming the Lord our Savior”. The sisters in Cebu Community simultaneously held its celebration at the same time. It was also the day of thanksgiving to the providential love of God through the wholehearted support of the Generalate and the local benefactors and friends making the Lebanon Shelter a reality.