CMY Sisters and Volunteers Join FMA Gratitude Day in Thailand
A group of FMAs
and volunteers from Cambodia and Myanmar, led by the CMY Provincial, Sr.
Jessica Salvaña, joined this year’s
celebration of the Institute’s Day of Gratitude held in Thailand last April 26.
Gathered around Mother Yvonne
Reungoat, (the FMA Superior General) the
CMY delegation joined the Provincials and
other representatives of the Interprovincial Conference of Asia-Oceania (CIAO),
the FMA communities of Thailand and their Educating Communities, Bishops,
priests, and members of the Salesian Family from all over Thailand.
It was a joyful
Salesian event enriched by the typical warmth and graciousness of Thai hospitality, the fusion of
cultures, the creativity and enthusiasm of both young and adults, and the
delicate attentiveness of the Thai Sisters, their past pupils and lay
collaborators. Indeed, everyone tried to be a sign of hope and joy!
The symbol of this
year’s feast of Gratitude -- the Thai hand garland made of fragrant jasmine
interwoven with other colorful flowers -- indeed spoke of the diversity in the
Institute, united by the merciful love of God.
The impressive and
colorful program presented by the Educating Communities of the Thai Province on
the eve of the feast, prompted Sr. Yvonne to say “I feel like we are immersed
in beauty, everything is beautiful.” She added that the presence of the volunteers
from Cambodia made the event even “more beautiful.”
The CMY group included
Sr. Lina Chiandotto, the former Superior of the one-time pre-province “Maria
Nostro Aiuto” (Mary Our Help), which gave birth to the present CMY Province,
and also the Sisters who served and belonged to the Province of Thailand in the
early years of their mission: Sr. Thippawan Teresa Pharksuwan, Sr. Ma Yee
Filomena, Sr. Lakana Yawasang, Sr. Teresita Garcia, Sr. Maria Elena Estacio and
Sr. Teresa Tuale.
Other FMAs from CMY
who joined the celebration were Sr. Rosa Lyne from Myanmar, Sr. Giovanna Penello, Sr. Maria
Thao, Sr. Ophrini Elizabeth Lohrii, Sr. Amanda Alvarado Lopez and Sr. Eng Sarin
from Cambodia. The volunteers were Clare Pressimone, Colleen Quigley, Charlene
Chua, Cara Weidinger and Monika Svigelj.
The group also had the
chance to meet the Papal Nuncio, Archbishop Paul Tschang In-Nam and the
Cardinal of Bangkok, who with other ecclesiastic authorities, graced the
occasion. In addition, the Sisters and volunteers who arrived earlier, had the
chance to go on a pilgrimage to near-by churches and do a little sight-seeing
arranged for them by Sr. Lakana.
By Sr. Malen Estacio
