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10.24.2010

Solemnity of our holy Mother St. Teresa


Santa Teresa de Jesus wine met our eyes
on the table during the apperitief just before lunch


The surpise first recipe; buttered snails with garlic


The 3 "servidoras" who really did their best to speak in Spanish

On the Feast of our La Madre Fundadora last October 15, we thought of making her spirit of "Alegria" alive in our midst. During the Mass, we sang a very lively Gloria in Tagalog to the accompaniment of guitar and mandolin. As recessional we sang another Filipino composition entitled "Teresa" by Mother Madeleine of Cagayan Carmel.

Right after the Mass, the 3 youngest Sisters went our ahead to dress up in Spanish attire to greet the community with "Feliz Fiesta!" We then went in procession to the refectory singing "Alegria" (with adapted lyrics) with castanets, tamborine
and guitar. The 3 "servidoras" tried their very best to speak in Spanish, the meaning of which only they know. But really we reserched some words, thanks to the help of Fr. Rafael Mendoza, our Procurator General, who supplied us with the translations. As we entered the refectory, we saw on the table a bottle of wine with label, "Santa Teresa de Jesus", which was said to really come from Spain and was given by the Goyvaerts' family. After the "apperitief" we partook of a special meal, the first recipe of which was baked snails with butter and garlic, served on a small silver plate with matching tong and a small fork! Thanks to the expertise of Sr. Aloysia! It was our first time to eat this recipe and in that way!

At coffee time in the afternoon, we surprised again the community with our own version of the "Torero" with Sr. Socoro as the "matador", the 2 novices as the "toro" (bull) and Sr. Carmela as the Flamenco dancer, who danced with the matador after the bull fight as a victory celebration. This was much to the enjoyment of our Belgian Sisters!

There were bit serious parts too. Sr. Socoro sang "Nada de Turbe" in our dialect, Sr. Paul Therese played the flute accompanied by Sr. Luisa's guitar. Then, in the evening, we drew the testaments of our holy Mother, St. Teresa. On the eve, we also read in the choir after Matins, the account of her death and listened to her last words to us her daughters.

We felt that La Madre smiled at us and gave us her blessings as we brought joy to our fellow Sisters for it was often been said by our older Sisters that "when we can make others laugh we have the blessings of our holy Mother".


The Matador and the defeated toro


The Matador with the Flamenco dancer



Sr. Paul Therese played the piece, "Teresa" accompanied by Sr. Maria Luisa


10.08.2010

Harvest time in our little vineyard




Sr. Carmela tasting the grapes if they are sweet


Sr. Socoro and Sr. Elizabeth showing you the grapes
protected with nets againts the migrating birds,
although they still managed to get their share.

For the first time we have finally succeeded to harvest some grapes from our little vineyard, thanks to the dedicated efforts of Sr. Aloysia with the help of the novitiate and Sr. Socoro during the pruning and thinning stages. From the three vines ( 2 violets and 1 green) we were able to serve the community four times and those were more than enough for us. Thank you Lord for the harvest of grapes, which reminds us of our relationship with you. "I am the Vine and you are the branches... Apart from me you can bear no fruits..."

Justify Full
The harvested grapes ready for serving




Feast of St. Therese in the Novitiate

The two novices; Sr. Marie Elizabeth and Sr. Marie Paul Therese

The Sisters holding their chosen symbols



The novitiate prepared a paraliturgy and invited the community on September 30, the eve of St. Therese's feast, and her death anniversary. We started with a prayer led by our Mother and a song in her honor with guitar.

Some symbols used by Little Therese in her writings were mounted on card boards and placed on the altar near her statue. After reading an excerpt from her writings and an article about her death, each sister chose for herself a symbol which spoke to her heart and explained why. Two or three symbols were chosen twice. Each Sister's interpretation of the symbol gave us a little glimpse into her interior and was very enriching to our journeying together.

After the sharing, we received a prayer leaflet with Therese's medal. At the back was written qoutations from our holy Sister in relation to those symbols we have chosen. That was a wonderful evening in preparation for her feast!