Preparing our hearts for the great day... .
SIHM Sisters on Retreat:
"The way of Jesus to Jerusalem," was the Jubilee Year theme of our annual retreat on May 17-23, 2002 held at the Bukal ng Tipan, CICM Maryhill Center, Taytay, Rizal. Fr. Andres Consalan, Jr. was our Retreat Master. This was the first congregational retreat held outside Baguio City.
The retreat was a journeying with Jesus to Jerusalem as we reflected on Mark 8:27 to 10:52. It covered Jesus' identity and mission, faith and prayer life, ascetism and service as diakonos, one's healing faith till we reach "Jerusalem" the place where one's mission is executed. To help us on our way were some saint-models, like St. Teresa of Avila, St. Elizabeth of Seton. St. Therese of the Child Jesus and Elizabeth of Hungary.
Welcomed by Fr. Mark Lesage, CICM, the group of 86 SIHM Sisters and 4 lay associate members arrived safely at the spacious grounds of Maryhill. Two Victory Liner Buses brought us all the way from Baguio...
SIHM-ICM-CICM Day:
August 15, 2002 was memorable for those who planted the seeds of faith, and of our vocation to the religious life and walked with us in our journey as a diocesan religious institute. We expressed out thanksgiving in a joint celebration of the Eucharist with the ICM and CICM in songs, dances, and story telling...
The Pioneer:
June 1, 2002 was another very important day for our congregation as it opened its doors to its partners in the missions-the lay women committed to the on-going evangelization of the people of the Cordillera.
The pioneer members, Anastacia Bahingawan, Erlinda Esposto, Josephine Gacad and Cristina Gamiao readily and enthusiastically made their promise to be part of our vision and mission as they live out of charism in their own lifestyle.
The memorable event was celebrated with a Eucharistic Celebration presided by Fr. Andres Cosalan, Jr., Chaplain of SIHM Lay Associate members. A short program and table fellowship together with the members of their families followed.
SIHM Family Day:
The first and usually quiet benefactors to be thanked are those who gave their daughters and sisters to the SIHM.
Most parents of the sisters do not understand what religious life is. It is difficult to reconcile in their minds women embracing a life without a husband, children and a salary. But as years move on, they are happy that their daughters chose to be a religious sister.
SIHM-Diocesan Clergy Day:
December 5, 2002 will be gratefully and lovingly remembered as one of the Jubilee Year highlights. Thanks for an opportunity of celebrating as brothers and sisters from all three Vicariates.
At 8:00 a.m. some priests and our co-sisters started arriving at our Mother House. Some began the celebration with a Canasta tournament, the "official game" of the Montanosa diocesan clergy and sisters. Others practiced songs and the "Marthas", as expected, busied themselves in the kitchen. Others simply took time to talk anout their respective apostolate with one another.
At exactly 10:00 a.m. everybody went to the Columba Hall for the Rite of Reconciliation with the burning of sticks to symbolize the forgiveness of our faults with one another as collaborators in our common mission of evangelizing our own people. The Eucharistic Celebration which followed was alive and participatory. The homily was shared by Bishop Dalis, Fr. Agatep and Fr. Bongabong. The expounded on the vision of our Founder, Bishop William Brasseur and our continuing efforts to realize it. With oneness and honesty, they spoke of the pains and joys of our partnership in the apostolate.
After the Mass, we were ushered to the Columba Hall for an impromptu program emceed by Sisters Crispina Abluyon and Aurora Codiam. Some brave souls from both the clergy and the sisters volunteered to share their experiences with one another. The bottom line of the sharing was centered on the common experience of treating one another as mission partners despite differences in opinions and methodologies in the apostolate. Planning, meetings and structures for work and recreation were aids in strengthening better cooperation and maintaining a good working relationship. Sincerity and frankness in dealing with each other are musts for a smooth collaboration.
A sumptuous lunch followed. Some who had other tasks to do left while those who remained continued the program. Dances interspersed with individual sharing, There were games where prizes were awarded to winners.
