In celebration of the National Women’s Month, the Sr. Teresa of Sto. Niño Center held a seminar-workshop this March 15, 2023. The said workshop was facilitated by Mrs. Maria Abulencia, artist from Lucban, Quezon. With the theme “BABAE: Dangal at Kapangyarihan” (Women: Dignity and Power) the activity aimed to promote self-expression through arts and crafts. The activity started with a short yet meaningful message from Atty. Sunshine Abcede about the importance of celebrating Women’s Month. After this, the activity continued with the mothers showing their innate artistic talent through sewing and painting. Their finished products of the mothers made of cloth sewn with beads and sequins were pinned at the tapestry brought by Mrs. Maria to showcase each point of view of the mothers through their sewing skills.
The purpose of the activity was for the mothers of the Center to have some time for themselves and to give value to each and every woman, that they have talent and dedication in any field that they choose to take.

The Sr. Teresa of Sto. Niño Center celebrated its 25th founding anniversary last February 26, 2023 (Sunday) with the theme “Ika 25 Taong Anibersaryo ng Sr. Teresa of Sto. Niño Center: Sama-samang Pagtugon sa Tawag ng Misyon” (Walking and Responding Together to the Call of Mission). The celebration started with the Holy Eucharist presided by the Bishop of the Diocese of Lucena, Bishop Mel Rey Uy, D.D with co-celebrant priests Fr. Ryan Israel Martinez, Fr. George Vargas, Fr. Edwin Panergo and Msgr. Domingo Edora. The homily of Bp. Mel Rey talked about Lent which is 40 days of preparation for the resurrection of Jesus. This preparation is anchored in the deepening of our spirituality to be a good steward, where recognition and trust in the Word of God must be strengthened.

The mass was also attended by former and current family beneficiaries, staff, volunteers and former volunteers, volunteer doctors, sponsors, benefactors, friends and neighbors of the Center in Pleasantville Subd., religious sisters and CMT sisters from Manila, Pangantucan and Vietnam community. The Voces Dei Choir from Our Lady of Lourdes Parish lend their voices as choir for the mass. After the mass, snacks were served before the program began. The program was led by Ms. Camille Rose Tacazon and Sr. Sharon Villafranca as the masters of ceremony. Sr. Chrezann Angulo gave her welcoming message of thanks and gratitude to everyone who continuously support the Center’s mission. This was then followed by an inspiring message from Sr. Gloria Alonso, reminiscing the days as one of the founding sisters of the center.

Afterwards, the selected Nursery 2 and Kinder pupils showed their talent in dancing. This was followed by the giving of awards and recognition to the sponsors, benefactors, volunteer catechists and volunteer doctors who have been with the Center for the past 25 years in responding to the call of mission. The Gilbuena family was also honored as the outstanding family of the Center because of Mrs. Gilbuena’s hard work as a solo parent who worked hard to give her children education and finish their studies.

In a chilling performance, the scholars of the Center showed a mini drama that revolves around the theme, “Who is the Church? I am the Church” this was then followed by their interpretative dance. Later then, it was followed by the performances of the youth and adult beneficiaries who won the dance competition held last February 18. After this, an award and certificate were awarded to the active father and mother who were actively participating in the activities of the center, as well as a Teresa Mira award to one of the Kinder pupils for her simplicity and humbleness observe like Sr. Teresa Mira. A plaque of appreciation were awarded to the staff and volunteers who served and dedicated their services for more than 5 years. A special Honorary Lifetime Award was bestowed to the foundresses of the Center as an expression of our recognition and gratefulness to them – Sr. Gloria Alonso, Sr. Asuncion Ciuraneta and Mrs. Luz Marquez received this award, as well as the CMT General Animator, Sr. Ma. Jose Gay, for her significant contribution to the Center. Last but not the least, the CMT sisters, staff, volunteers and drivers of the Center showcased their talents in dancing a modern folkdance.

Mrs. Luz Marquez, also gave her greetings and message of appreciation to everyone who attended the celebration and been part of the Center, with bright hopes that the Center will continue to operate for another 25 years and more. In a short yet meaningful thank you message, Mrs. Bibiana Reyes, Directress of the Center gave her heartfelt thanks to everyone who’ve been part of the Center and to everyone who will continuously be part of the Center. The celebration capped off with the blessings of the food led by Fr. Merlin Las Piñas, and with the final blessing of Fr. Angelo Brucal.

Rain or shine, this didn’t stop the celebration in commemorating the twenty five years of walking together in responding to the mission of love and dedication in serving the poor. Truly an unforgettable day filled with history made of joys, trials, and unwavering support from everyone, the Sr. Teresa of Sto. Niño Center hopes to continue and be an instrument of hope and change, with Jesus, from Him and like Him, to go to others to “do good to all.”

In preparation for the 25^th Founding Anniversary of the Sr. Teresa of Sto. Niño Center, a series of formation talks were prepared for the staff, volunteers and beneficiaries of the Center for three Saturdays of January. Three speakers for each Saturday allotted their time and experience to share their different topics to provide formation, deepen the connection and get to know Sr. Teresa Mira and the history of the Center, and to promote the upcoming foundation celebration.

January 14 – Sr. Sharon S. Villafranca was the first speaker of the formation series. She talked about the life and virtues of Sr. Teresa Mira. Her simple and humble life became the reason why the Center was named after her. Through her apostolate and virtues during the time she lived, Sr. Teresa Mira had the opportunity to make life her motto, and this is to “Do good to all”. The Center lives by this motto every day and aims to inculcate not only to the kids, but to every individual, families, and sponsors of the Center as well.

January 21 – During this formation talk, Mrs. Luz M. Marquez was invited to share her own experiences and her journey together with the CMT sisters when the Center was built and founded. She shared to everyone who attended the talk, how she met Sr. Asuncion Ciuraneta, Sr. Gloria Alonso and Sr. Mercedes Gonzales, when they were still teaching at Maryhill Academy (now Maryhill College). This is the start of their beautiful friendship and how Ma’am Luz got to know deeper the charism of the CMT Sisters. From then on she started volunteering, where she got to walk together bound by the ties of Love of God. More than twenty five years of walking together, with Jesus as our guide, the Center continues to move forward. Her talk ended showing some pictures of the beneficiaries of the Center for the past 25 years which they enjoyed ruminating.

January 28 – The last part of the formation series, Sr. Chrezann Angulo got to share the meaning behind the main theme for the foundation celebration. With the theme “Sama-samang Pagtugon sa Tawag ng Misyon” (Walking and Responding Together to the Call of Mission”. Her talk was divided into three parts, 1) 25 years of grace and blessings, 2) the main theme, and 3) the meaning behind the logo made for the anniversary. Sr. Chrezann got to share how the Center not only grew bigger and wider physically, but as a family, we got to grow deeper in faith and responded to the call of mission. Together, not only the CMT sisters, staff and volunteers, but with every single person who became part and responded to this shared mission and communion.

It was truly a fruitful and unforgettable series formation, as we all got to know the Center even better, reminisce memories from the past twenty five years. It started with a dream of the CMT sisters to help those in need through a Center, and was then realized and made possible. Through various ways and help from benefactors, sponsors and volunteers, the Center continue its mission of love and service to the poor families and individuals.

The month of July for the Carmelite family was truly a blessing for the Queen of Carmel Community in Lucena as well as for the Delegation of Asia and especially for our Congregation – the Carmelitas Misioneras Teresianas.

Last July 16 and 20 of this year 2021, Solemnity of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel and Feast of Elijah, the community of Lucena together with Manila and Pangantucan communities rejoiced with the celebration of the Perpetual Profession of Sr. Clarynse N. Subijano and First Religious Profession of Maria Le Thi Mong Linh as they generously dedicated themselves to the Church, God and neighbors. In the hands of Sr. Chrezann M. Angulo, Provincial Delegate, they vowed to God chastity, poverty and obedience, and were welcomed to the family with joy and gratitude.

The Perpetual Profession of Sr. Clarynse was held at the parish of Our Lady of Lourdes, presided by the bishop of Lucena, His Excellency Most Rev. Mel Rey M. Uy while the First Profession of Sr. Linh was held in the chapel of the Queen of Carmel community, which was presided by Fr. Gregorio Baguio, OCD. The days were blessed with people dear to the sisters: family, friends, neighbors and benefactors as well as the staff and volunteers of the Center.

In the midst of the thriving pandemic, the celebration was made possible through the generosity and assistance of many people to make it accessible through livestreaming.  Those who were not physically present were united with the sisters through their prayers and with the aforementioned social media platforms.  Nevertheless, the family of Sr. Linh virtually witnessed her profession. The Congregation lauded their kindness and openness to offer their child to God in the family of Carmelitas Misioneras Teresianas.

Rejoicing for the gift of vocation, the community prepared a simple program, wherein the novices and scholars of the Center performed some dances and songs for the sisters.  It was indeed a grace-filled celebration and an affirmation of God’s constant love and faithfulness to His people.

Queen of Carmel Community

Lucena, Filipinas