Dear Friends,
Warm greetings of Peace, Hope, and Joy!
We are thrilled to share our experiences from the recently concluded Provincial Chapter Transmission, held from February 17 to 18 at Assumption Antipolo (AA) in Rizal, Philippines.
With the theme, “Walking together as missionary disciples and pilgrims of hope,” this transformative gathering united us, enriching our understanding of our mission as students, leaders, and faithful disciples. It became a journey of reflection, inspiration, and dedication, empowering us to carry the light of hope into our communities.
The Pilgrimage
Our journey began with a pilgrimage to Antipolo Cathedral — the national shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage — where we attended the Holy Eucharist. We felt peace, comfort, and familiarity in this place, despite it being our first time coming to this place. The homily from Rev. Fr. Keith Buenaventura touched our souls by reminding us that sometimes, a simple sigh, cry, or silence can be a powerful prayer. A prayer does not always have to be flowering in words, for a sigh is often as meaningful as millions of words. We learned that God knows our heart’s desires even when we are lost for words. Silence is God’s language.
This marked the beginning of an interesting one-and-half-day experience. A gathering that created a bridge across generations, vocations, and communities. The pilgrimage to the cathedral became an inspiration for us to walk in synodality and embrace our diversity.
The Opening Liturgy
After the pilgrimage, we returned to AA and enjoyed a delightful breakfast. We engaged in some sharing, introductions, and an orientation about the activities to come. The opening liturgy led by Sr. Vicky and Sr. Anne Teresa set the tone, allowing us to ask for God’s grace as we embarked on this journey. As we stepped into AA’s mini theatre, a standee of Luce immediately caught our attention. Learning about her symbolism and significance drew us in, making us feel more connected to the journey ahead. Later, as we re-entered the theatre, now holding our own mini Luce standee, the moment felt deeply symbolic—emphasizing the spirit of synodality that we shared throughout this experience. It was a profound reminder of our mission to embody light and hope.
The Homily Key Points and the Opening Message
Ms. Arlene Carlos highlighted key insights from Fr. Pernia’s homily and Sr. Mary Ignatius’ opening message, which provided deep reflections and challenges for us to ponder. Their words served as a powerful reminder of our role in spreading hope and compassion in our journey together.
Three statements from the homily resonated with us. The first one is that we should not only become pilgrims but also signs of hope. This reminded us that while we navigate life’s challenges, we must also bring light and joy to others. Second, “Hope does not disappoint.” True hope comes from trusting in God, remaining humble, and relying on His strength. As we mirror Christ’s actions, we, too, become beacons of hope and reflection of light. Lastly, a reference used in Fr. Pernia’s homily is a quote from Elie Wiesel, who was a Holocaust survivor and Nobel prize winner for being an advocate for peace: “The opposite of love is not hate, but indifference.” It is about the lack of care, empathy, and interest in the realities of our world. This challenges us to extend our hands and go beyond to respond to the needs of those around us.
Following the presentation, Ms. Arlene invited us to engage in a dyad-sharing activity with our seatmates, reflecting on what resonated most with us. After a few minutes of thoughtful exchange, volunteers were invited to share their insights with the larger group. The morning session concluded with the viewing of a recap video, highlighting the key moments from Day 1 of the APPC 2025.
Conversation in the Spirit #1
After a fulfilling lunch, we came back to the theater to continue our afternoon activities. The session began with an opening prayer led by Sr. Anne Teresa, followed by the watching of the APPC 2025 Day 2 Recap. Following this, Sr. Nilda presented us with the next activity: “Conversation with the Spirit #1” in which we were asked to gather in our respective groups and head to the LRC for a discussion. In our group conversations, we reflected on the spirit of the provincial plan, sharing our thoughts, understandings, and realizations. We explored what we are called to live and embrace over the next three years of the Provincial Plan, with each participant offering valuable insights.
Later, we regathered in the theater for a plenary session, where each group representative shared their collective reflections, enriching the conversation with diverse perspectives from all eight groups.
The Sharing of Council of Assumption Together (CAT)
Before beginning the presentation, Ms. Grace Magtaas, an elected representative of the Commission of Assumption Together (CAT), invited everyone to participate in a lively energizer activity. We were asked to perform simple movements while clapping and singing. The engaging activity encouraged full participation and brought a fun, uplifting energy to the room, leaving everyone feeling energized and ready for the session ahead.
Afterward, Ms. Grace enthusiastically shared with us all about the Council of Assumption Together (CAT). While acknowledging the uncertainty of the responsibilities ahead, she expressed her joy and willingness to accept the mission. Additionally, she outlined the key qualities to consider when selecting the other members of CAT which offered valuable guidance for the selection process.
The meaningful day concluded with the viewing of the APPC 2025 Day 2 Recap. This was followed by a closing prayer, led by Sr. Bernie, bringing the day to a thoughtful and spiritual close.
The Start of Day 2
We began Day 2 with a Holy Mass at the AA Chapel, followed by a delightful breakfast at the formation house. We then returned to the theater, where Sr. Anne Teresa led the opening prayer, formally marking the start of the day’s activities.
One participant from Baguio shared a powerful realization inspired by a statement from Fr. Pernia’s homily on ignorance. She recalled a moment during their van ride when beggars asked her for money. Initially, she hesitated, concerned about creating dependence on people’s kindness and aware that there are responsible agencies like DSWD for it. However, witnessing the sisters’ compassionate act of offering food to the beggars helped her realize the deeper importance of compassion over societal norms. This experience encouraged us to open our hearts, prioritize empathy, and be more mindful of how we extend care to others.
Conversation with the Spirit #2
Afterward, Sr. Josefina took the floor and introduced the next activity, Conversation with the Spirit #2, which focused on the six priority areas from the provincial plan. She briefly explained each priority and asked us to reflect on three key questions: What do we find meaningful, relevant, and engaging in our priority statement? What struck us after listening to one another? And, most importantly, what concrete actions are we called to live by the Holy Spirit in the coming years?
We were divided into six groups, each assigned to discuss one of the priorities. We then headed to the LRC, where we engaged in deep conversations and shared our thoughts within our respective groups.
Afterward, we returned to the theater for plenary sharing, where each group’s representative presented the insights and ideas discussed. Many valuable actions and ideas were shared, all of which could be applied to our respective communities. Interestingly, despite focusing on different priorities, all the ideas were interconnected and supported each other, demonstrating the unity and working of the Holy Spirit.
The Conclusion of the Transmission and the Closing Liturgy
Sr. Vicky and Sr. Anne Teresa led the closing liturgy, marking a meaningful conclusion to the gathering. One by one, each participant was called to receive their standee of Luce, symbolizing our call to be a light to others and to embrace our roles as missionary disciples and pilgrims of hope.
This one-and-a-half-day transmission was filled with unexpected insights and realizations, making it an incredibly enjoyable and transformative experience. It was life-changing, meaningful, and memorable—an experience we will always cherish. We are deeply grateful to have been among the participants called to live out the lessons we’ve learned. The words from SME, “Love places us at the service of God,” beautifully capture the essence of this transmission.
As we conclude, we pray for the success of our fellow Assumption schools that are beginning their own journeys, just as we did. May they too experience and embrace the spirit of enthusiasm and inclusivity that God has graciously shared with us throughout this experience.
