Culture of communion promoted at ATPRAD gathering

Seventy-one (71) temporary professed religious sisters and brothers from 26 congregations of Mindanao gathered together for the first time at the Sacred Heart Spirituality Center, Seminary Road, Catalunan Grande, Davao City, on October 26-29, 2017. Themed “Mindanaoan’s Temporary Professed: Called to Promote a Culture of Communion”, the Holy Eucharist with Vespers was presided over by Fr. William LaRousse, MM, vicar for religious in the Archdiocese of Davao.

Sr. Michelle May Caligner, PM, the president of Association of Temporary Professed Religious of the Archdiocese of Davao (ATPRAD) shared that “this gathering helps us to gain friendship and support from one another.”

At the orientation night, the Archbishop of Davao Romulo G. Valles, DD welcomed and challenged everyone to continue the mission of the Church as all belong to the one body of Christ. Fr. Orlando Angelia deepened the theme by emphasizing that communion is the identity and mission of those who belong to the family of God.

Sessions and workshops were facilitated by Bro. Noelvic Deloria, SC in the succeeding days. He led each participant to be more inspired with each other’s different and rich experiences in life. The gathering ended with the formulation of their mission and vision as Temporary Professed Religious of Mindanao.

The gathering was culminated with an outing at a resort in Davao City. Everybody was so grateful and happy to explore the beauty of the place. “It is an encounter of the shepherds who smell like Christ and very eager to go to the field to smell like sheep”, said Bro. Julius Socorro, SCJ, one among those who joined. (Sr. Gerarlyn V. Saldua, MIC)