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AI Recollection
 The
Generalate Pre-Chapter delegates were gathered at the St.
Joseph Jubilee hall for a day of recollection. It was facilitated
by Rev. Fr. Gregorio Bañaga Jr, CM. Father Greg
stressed the importance of Appreciative Inquiry as a Spiritual
Path to Organizational Renewal. He said further that it
embodies a set of attitudes that can shape and shed light
on, give meaning to, every phase of the methodological
journey, thus transforming it into a lived Christian spiritual
experience.
The in-put gave light to the excellence of discovery-
that is, to discover what is the best in the RVM Congregation,
in every Sister, what had been done to outgrow in all aspects
of life, the life-giving factors to make the Congregation
survive, the belief that God has blessed the Congregation
since its foundation. From discovery follows the dream.
It is envisioning of what might be. This is building on what
one is good at being essayed forth into a design.
From what was discovered, dreamed about and designed will
create destiny or vision compelling
and forceful to influence people to follow. But this vision
cannot be realized without commitment, the driving force
behind the implementation of any design or plan. “Sometimes
it may even entail unexpected sacrifice (John 2). No one
who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind
is fit for the kingdom of God .”(Luke 9:62). This is
what Mother Ignacia Del Espiritu Santo did. She left her
home and did not look back- - - Presto! The Congregation
of the RVM was born!
Pre-Chapter Assembly formally opens
 April
12, 2005 marked the formal opening of the Generalate area
Pre-Chapter assembly. The introductory rite was done at the
St. Joseph Home chapel. The delegates then moved to the Jubilee
Hall as their names were called accordingly. It started with
Reverend Mother General, Consultors general, secretary general,
econome general, delegates by profession seniority, overseas
mission representatives and Junior representatives.
The formal opening took place with a Bible enthronement
and interrogation of the assembly participants. Then, Rev.
Mother Clarita Balleque, RVM warmly welcomed the delegates
in her capacity as President of the assembly.
The Pre-Chapter Delegates
Ex-Officio
- Mo. Maria Clarita Balleque,
- S. Ma. Luz Manrique,
- S. Ma. Anicia Co,
- S. Ma. del Carmen Yap,
- S. Ma. Lourdes Veloso,
- S. Ma. Domitilla Enriquez,
- S. Ma. Rosalia Nacionales.
Elected:
- S. Ma. Nicetas Dael, S. Ma. Angelina Fernando,
- S. Ma. Lourdes Palacio, S. Ma. Felisa Declaro,
- S. Ma Consuelo Alvino, S. Ma. Raquel Reodica,
- S. Ma. Corazon Ricafrente, S. Ma. Luz Segundo,
- S. Ma. Loreto Abregana, S. Ma. Erlinda Flores,
- S. Ma. Angelita Pascual, S. Ma. Consuelo Rosales,
- S. Ma. Corazon Agoncillo, S. Ma. Ligaya Valencia , S.
Ma. Editha Roa, S. Ma. Aniceta Navaja,
- S. Ma. Mercedes Yanez, S. Ma. Marilyn Ubaldo,
- S. Ma. Delia Rubio, S. Ma. Gilda Peñafiel,
- S. Ma Lorina Jumawan, S. Ma Delia Serviño,
- S. Ma. Cristina Eguna, S. Ma. Rosabella Gallo,
- S. Ma. Helen Soliven, S. Ma. Fiorita Duquillo,
- S. Ma. Elizabeth Dejan.
Overseas Mission Representatives:
- S. Ma. Ledovina Vergara ( Papua New Guinea );
- S. Ma. Matilde Omandac ( Taiwan );
- S. Ma. Gilda Penafiel ( Pakistan ).
Junior Representatives
- S. Ma. Gretchen Besonia,
- S. Ma. Erlinda Cruz,
- S. Ma. Merma Liza Shalah,
- S. Ma. Remy Villaraiz,
- S. Ma. Diosdada Salvan,
- S. Ma. Rosviminda Ochoa,
- S. Ma. Justine Dameshie.
The delegates were assigned to work on their particular
area committee. The Thirteen (13) areas are the following:
Vision & Mission; Ignacian Spirituality & Charism;
Apostolic Community & Local Leadership; Formation for
Mission ; Education Ministry; Retreat Ministry; Dormitory
Ministry; Social Ministry; Special Ministry; Overseas Mission;
Temporalities; Governance & Mother Foundress.
Excerpts from the Generalate Area Report
 S.
Ma. Luz Manrique, RVM, the Vicar General and the Generalate
Area Coordinator, delivered a comprehensive report on the
state of the Generalate Area. Her report covered twenty-seven
communities, for the period of 2001-2004.
Sr. Luz presented the key objective of her leadership,
namely: “to provide a life-giving leadership for the
spiritual and apostolic vitality of the Sisters and Communities
in the Generalate Area.” To indicate achievement of
her key objective is the following key standard: “RVM
Sisters in the Generalate Area who are truly women of God,
happy, dynamic, discerning, committed, life-giving to the
people in their midst, especially the poor.”
She
shared the programs and activities that helped towards the
spiritual and apostolic vitality of the Communities. Examples
of these programs are the following: 17 th Ordinary General
Chapter Dissemination; formulation of the Generalate Area
Vision & Mission, Thrusts & Strategies; Servant-Leaders’ regular
meetings; Sisters’ regular assemblies; coming up with
the Generalate Area Manual of Operation; monthly & year-end
recollections; Christmas get-together; outings, launching
of Appreciative Inquiry as an approach to change; Sisters’ participation
in on-going formation programs, like Ignacian Formative Leadership,
Skills in Communal Discernment, Essential Elements of Consecrated
Life, CBCP Nine Pastoral Priorities, Forum on Different Political
Scenarios, Formation Update, Silver & Golden Jubilarians’ Renewal
Programs; Effective Coping with Life, Challenge of Globalization
to Gospel Living, Conference on RVM Heritage: Charity, etc.
Highlight of the report was her own and Rev. Mother Clarita
Balleque’s observation of the remarkable growth in
the Sisters’ spiritual, communal, and apostolic life.
Sr. Luz thanked Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Mother Ignacia
del Espiritu Santo for the light, guidance, strength, and
inspiration given her in the carrying out of her responsibility
as Generalate Area Coordinator. She also thanked all the
Sisters who have given her support and encouragement. She
thanked them even for the little acts of thoughtfulness which
she said she cannot take for granted for as shown to her
in Scripture (and quoting Ken Gire): “a little mustard
seed can grow into a huge tree; a mere cup of water has eternal
significance when given in the name of Jesus; a little request
by a crucified thief ended up changing his destiny for all
eternity.”
Vision - Mission Committee Presents Report
In the afternoon of the first day of the Pre-Chapter Assembly
the Committee on Vision and Mission took to the floor with
Sr. Ma. Consuelo Alvino, RVM as the chairperson. Reporting
was shared among the three, namely: Sr. Ma. Luz Segundo,
RVM for the first template and Sr. Ma. Merma Liza Shalah,
RVM for the second template. Sister Ma. Consuelo took charge
of the remaining templates.
Animated and enlightening discussion and interventions
took place after the reporting. With such dialogues the committee
came up with refined sets of life force for each template.
Possibility statement and plan of action were likewise accomplished.
Mother Foundress Committee is on Schedule
 Following the presentation of the Vision-Mission report
was the Mother Foundress Committee report. Sister Ma. Nicetas
P. Dael, RVM handled the presentation of the whole report
with Sr. Ma. Lorina Jumawan, RVM operating the power point.
Sister Ma. Angelina Fernando was in charge of taking down
notes during the interventions and also for the activity
to close the session.
During the open forum, the Sisters put on a lighter mood
but serious discussion came up with sets of life force for
the first two templates. The third template which was on
the symbol that the committee came up with gave encouragement
to the committee members when commendations were verbalized
by three Sisters in appreciation of the symbol and description
of its meaning. The possibility statement was refined by
the assembly and the plan of action got the nod of the Pre-Chapter
members.
“Where Silence is observed Fervor
is maintained” 1726 Rules
Two Committees Come to the Fore
Ignacian Spirituality and Charism
The second day of the Pre-Chapter Assembly brought to the
fore two committees for reporting with Sr. Ma. Corazon Ricafrente,
RVM as the moderator for the day. In her characteristic vim
and vigor, the assembly members were contaminated making
them alert, alive and enthusiastic.
The first committee that was called for reporting was the
Committee on Ignacian Spirituality and Charism. With Sr.
Ma. Ligaya Valencia at its helm, the members were Sr. Ma.
Delia Serviño and Sr. Ma. Editha Roa. Sr. Ligaya tackled
the presentation of the report while Sr. Delia operated the
computer for the power point and Sr. Editha took down notes
during the interventions.
An hour of small group discussions was given to the assembly
which allowed the Sisters greater opportunity for active
participation during the open forum.
The symbols presented by the group evoked interest and
enthusiasm of the assembly members as they journeyed along
with the presentors
Apostolic Community and Local Leadership
In the afternoon session the Apostolic Community and Local
Leadership Committee came up with the report in this area.
Sister Ma. Domitilla Enriquez, RVM introduced what were to
be taken up after which Sr. Ma. Helen Soliven explained the
first template. She was followed by Sr. Ma. Erlinda Cruz
for the second template. Then she came up again for the third
template. For the fourth and fifth templates, Sr. Domitilla
gave the explanation. Sister Ma. Ledovina Vergara was tasked
with the taking down of notes during the discussions.
After the whole presentation of the area, the assembly
participants went to small group discussions. Questions were
prepared as guidelines for them to come up with answers that
would be used for more organized discussion.
The possibility statement presented by the committee was
analyzed by the whole assembly with Sister Corazon on the
steering wheel. She managed to get the assembly to come up
with a possibility statement that everyone was happy to own
together with the Apostolic Community and Local Leadership
Committee
AI Chop-Up Thoughts
 The faces of the Pre-Chapter delegates to AI
APPRECIATIVE FACE
S.. Fely
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Focus on life-forces inspires, elevates and gives hope for
the future.
S. Connie A.
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Tangible experiences of the principles of open space and
the power of now!
S. Angie P
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Appreciative Inquiry makes me appreciate more deeply the
beauty of the different ministries of the Congregation and
the giftedness of every Sister in the community and ministry.
S. Del R.
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This AI approach in all our deliberations is indeed a learning
experience for me. I wish to benefit from this experience
for God’s greater honor and glory.
S. Loreto
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On the proposal to give the phrase “heart for the
poor” in the Possibility Statement, some Sisters are
worried that it might be the heart for Porfirio.
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Even tensions or butterflies in the stomach can have an
AI term. For Sr. Domitilla Enriquez, it is Anticipatory Realities.
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