Website Relaunch

Welcome to our newly revamped website! We would like to thank you for all patience throughout these months while we performed some necessary upgrades. Some new features of our website include the following:

  • Easier navigation and layout
  • Updated Calendar and Schedule of Programs
  • Description of our Retreats and Programs
  • Audio clips of excerpts of Cenacle audio CDs
  • Photo Gallery of events and activities
  • Introduction of Gift of Prayer – Cenacle Gift Certificates

We welcome your comments and suggestions at website@cenaclephilsing.org.




Sharing from Mel Benedictos, rc

Part of the Reflections from the Young Sisters Meeting

It’s been three weeks since the International Meeting for the young sisters but I am still basking in the afterglow of the wonderful experience. I am awed by the experience of being and working with almost all the young sisters of the congregation. I only fully appreciate the value given to it by our leaders who called this meeting when I listened to each sister of different provinces. In the gathering, I have heard a call to the future. For me, it meant hope and life for the future of the Cenacle. Having listened to their dreams, concerns and desires, I knew in my heart that we are journeying together as one international body to the fulfillment of God’s mission for us. This is a source of joy and confidence even as we fully realized the realities within and outside the congregation.

The process of communal discernment has also made an indelible impact on me. I felt the Holy Spirit had worked powerfully in all our reflections, workshops and sharings. Even the differences in language have not been a barrier to understand each other in a deep way. I realized the value of communal discernment in being “one body.” This is a foundational grace that I believe has to be nurtured if we want to remain committed to the self-surrender of Mother Therese.

The informal and spontaneous sharing during mealtimes and breaks have also been quite impactful for me. Knowing them personally has made me claim my being part of a large sisterhood. I remember Irene Benedetto of the Italian province who I teased as my Italian cousin because of our family names. She readily accepted our connection as “oh yes, globalization!” But seriously, I felt the at-homeness that can only spring forth from oneness in heart and mind. Indeed, this is my home and these are my sisters!

As we synthesized our dreams, desires and hopes for the future in the statement that we will forward to the General Chapter, we know that we also face many challenges, even our own fears, in making true our conviction. However, we will strive with audace!



Sharing from Perry Inso, rc

Part of the Reflections from the Young Sisters Meeting

Two things stayed with me after the Young Sisters’ Meeting:

1. The process that was used.

It is said that one of the basic human needs is to understand and to be understood. I believe that listening and being listened to is the best way to achieve this. This was my experience during the meeting. The process that was employed allowed us to really listen to ourselves and with one another. First, the groupings: home group, work group, and passion group. These facilitated our different encounters. We did not only bump into one another, we really spent time listening to where each one was coming from and the dreams and desires. I sensed a great longing to really connect with each one despite the language difficulty. For me this was life giving. I really felt we were one body. Second, the articulation of the goals at the beginning, and the surfacing of values we want to live as we gather together were also very helpful for me. These made me more attentive to what has been going on. Furthermore, I was also challenged to live out the values that were expressed. No wonder then that at the end of the meeting the statement that came out was that of great love for the Congregation and the desire to say yes to life and hope in the midst of diminishment. Finally, the times of prayer and reflection every after a task also helped me listen and understand what were asked of us. The process that was employed allowed me to listen deeply, make choices and help me let go of my preference for the good of the body. Listening and being listened to were indeed of great help.

2. Paragraphs 6 and 69 of our Constitutions.

“…Impelled by love of Christ and concern for a world in need of this message, ‘salvation and life are in Christ’, we give ourselves with all our strength to making the Gospel known so that it may become a source of life for everyone. #6” “The joy of a community depends on all the sisters’ acceptance of the demands of common life for the sake of that love which consists in sharing what we are and what we have (Sp. Ex. 231) This is the meaning of having all things in common. The quality of our community life is reflected in our apostolic works. #69” These stayed with me because in each group that I was with, these were always quoted. Looking at the statement that we have made, it seemed to re-echo what paragraphs 6 and 69 is about. There is a strong desire to strengthen what we have done to face our diminishment through refounding. It is indeed a call to life and hope. I believe that the quality of community life will be a counter-culture to a world so caught up in individualism. This too will give witness how it is to be in solidarity with others in sharing what we are and what we have locally and internationally. I am challenged to be more accountable and to be more available not just with ministry but with my sisters as well.

This also stayed with me because I felt that we all are going through the same struggle: how it is to live in community and be sisters to one another. At the same time it affirms the value of community living.

The Young Sisters’ Meeting made me see the Cenacle as one international apostolic discerning body. It is possible because everyone listened and was listened to. At the same time there was a readiness to let go of one’s preference for the good of the body.



Talitha Kum

Part of the Reflections from the Young Sisters Meeting
By Susay Valdez, rc

in the Cenacle
we gathered
from the four corners of the earth
we became one

with the words
talitha kum!
we began our journey
mischievous angels
moving together
steadily

what language,
what words do I speak?
we shared a common fear

talitha kum!

rising above comfort zones
we found ways
of listening
of speaking
communicating
generously translating
what fills our minds and hearts

rising
from a world of individualism
we came
prayed together
discerned together
hoped as one
solidarity
union
oneness

talitha kum!

we are mischievous angels
living one mission
we choose to live life
generously and graciously
committed to a Gospel-filled life
ready for the transformations
and remaining rooted
in God’s goodness



Sharing from Sr. Cecille Tuble, rc

Part of the Reflections from the Young Sisters Meeting

In the Young Sisters Meeting in Rome, 3 things struck me the most:

1. Solidarity – in those 6 days, I experienced in a very deep way some of the joys, challenges and costs of being part of an international congregation, as I met, shared and worked with the other young sisters. In spite of the language difficulties, I felt an “at-homeness” with my sisters. Throughout the meeting, I felt a resounding affirmation of a deep love for the Cenacle and a conviction to be faithful to our charism.

2. Communal Discernment – One very strong conviction that came out was the place of communal discernment. While personal discernment is necessary and foundational, communal discernment is also needed, and – in this individualistic world – is a powerful counter-witness. It is an integral part in our being cenacle.

3. The call to refounding and restructuring. We young sisters, looking at the future and listening to the cries of our people in the world, feel that this is urgent. We are now ready for many new things, even as we anticipate its costs and consequences. We draw much hope, because of our desire to be faithful to our founding grace, and our conviction of its place and relevance in the world.



Sharing from Sheila Mae, rc

Part of the Reflections from the Young Sisters Meeting

It was an exciting experience of “firsts” for me: first time to travel abroad (and all the other firsts that came with it – including the blunders and bloopers); to see a “bigger” Cenacle and to participate in an international meeting – to meet, share and work with our sisters from different provinces and regions. The other firsts: seeing Rome (and a couple of places outside Rome) – breathing her magnificence and grandeur (including the pollens!) tasting gelato, the visits to the basilicas and the rooms of St. Ignatius —were a bonus!
My experience of being and working together Cenacle sisters from different regions and provinces— at least for five days, has broaden my Cenacle perspective — and has helped me see my own formation in the light of our congregation’s thrust “to be engaged in the world as one international, apostolic and discerning body”:
-of feeling the “pulse” of the young sisters of our congregation
In the many moments of sharing, I sensed that we were of the same “ mind and heart” – I was happy to hear my own concerns, desires, hopes and dreams articulated or echoed by others. It was touching to discover that we shared the same concerns, heard a common call, and touched based of where our energies and creativities are coming from and are moving us forth; dreamed with and for the congregation.
- of sensing our togetherness
I felt at home in the company of these sisters who have chosen to be in the Cenacle. It was like tasting what St. Paul said as “unity in diversity.” The difference in language was a difficulty. Yet, it never became a barrier to what I sense as “hearts communicating.” I was aware of my poverty – not be able to communicate nor understand fully. However, God always had a way of filling what I or the other lacked. In all the groups which I became a part of, there was always someone who could bridge the gap. I was never “lost in translation”. I was even surprised that as the days went by, my comprehension of French had improved. I was able to express what was in my heart, and was listened to. The spontaneous flow of the grace of openness and attentiveness from all of us was amazing.
I was grateful to have witnessed how the Spirit was able to find His way through us – gifting us with that docility which Mother Therese had always prayed for herself and for the congregation.
I appreciated very much the process used in the meeting. For the first time, I experienced what communal discernment truly entails– and I found it very life-giving. I had a glimpse of what it means “to stay faithful to our founding graces as we continue to “read the signs of the times”, to be witnesses of the reign of God in today’s world.
The meeting has left in me an imprint of love for the congregation and a growing sense of commitment for her vision, in what she stands for in the world today, in all she dreams of and hopes for in the future.
I feel God’s invitation to let this seed of love grow in those parts of my heart where fear still thrives; where selfishness, complacency and indifference wait to be released in the service of what and who I am called for in this congregation.
Many thanks to the general government, to Meny and all our sisters for affording me this experience at this stage of my formation!



Pagninilay

Part of the Reflections from the Young Sisters Meeting
by Sr. Bubbles Bandojo, rc

Magsisikap akong magbahagi sa Pilipino. Doon kasi sa pulong hindi lang iilan ang nagtanong at nagtaka kung bakit daw Ingles ang salita natin. Hindi tayo masyadong ngasasalita sa sarili nating wika. Bakit daw ganoon? Bakit nga ba?

Ano ang nananatili sa akin matapos ang pagtitipon ng mga nakababatang madre natin? At ano ang nakikita kong hamon na dadalhin sa ating rehiyon? Ilang ulit ko na ring binali-baligtad sa isip ko ang mga tanong na ito nitong huling linggo pag-uwi namin.

Ano ang nananatili? Ah, isa at isa lamang. Nakasaad ito nang malinaw na malinaw sa unang bahagi ng huling pahayag mula sa pagpupulong:

We have heard a great love for the congregation…

Narinig namin ang isang malalim na pagmamahal para sa kongregasyon. . .

Napaluha ako nang marinig ko ito. Para sa akin ibinubuod ng pahayag na ito ang diwang namayani sa pagpupulong. Kung naging konkreto man ang pagiging bukas, tapat, payak ng bawat isa, iyon ay dahil malalim ang pagmamahal sa Senakulo. At napakalawak, napakalalim, napakaganda ng Senakulong naranasan ko: singlawak, singlalim at singganda ito nina Lydia at Josephine mula sa Madagascar, nina Delma at Nazare ng Brazil, nina Nathalie at Laurence ng Pransiya, nina Jackie at Mary ng Estados Unidos, nina Irene at Luisa ng Italya, ni Kate ng Inglatera. Nakakamangha!

At ito naman ang nakikita kong hamon: Paano kong madadala at maisasabuhay sa rehiyon ang pagmamahal na ito? Tiyak na tanong ito para sa akin. At tiyak din ang hinihinging tugon sa akin. Lagi kong sinasabi kay Meny nang pabiro, pero seryoso din, “Meny, hindi ako poproblemahin ng rehiyon.” Ang ibig kong sabihin, itinataya ko ang sarili ko dito. Pagsisikapan kong iayon ang aking pagpili sa direksiyon at bisyon natin bilang isang rehiyon. Ipinangako namin ng iba kong kasama sa KKK ( 40’s group ) na magsasabihan kami kapag nalilihis kami. Dasal kong hindi ako mabulagan na unahin ang pansarili kong nais kaysa kabutihan ng lahat. Sana huwag akong mangiming ibahagi ang katotohanang nakikita ko at pinaniniwalaan. Huwag sana akong mapipi sa gitna ng malalakas na boses. Humihingi din ako ng lakas upang mangahas na ibigay ang sarili ko sa tawag ng pagbabago. At sa ilalim ng lahat ng ito, patuloy kong pagsisikapan at hihilingin sa Diyos na ako ang una Niyang baguhin alang-alang sa ating mga hinahangad at pinapangarap para sa Kanyang bayan.

At huli, sana mapangiti ko kayo dito. Bukod sa mabibigat na bagay na nabanggit ko sa itaas, gusto ko ring ipakita ang pagmamahal ko sa pagmamagitan ng pagbibigay-saya at pag-asa hindi lamang sa mga taong pinagsisilbihan natin kundi sa inyo ring mga kapatid ko sa Senakulo,unang-una dito sa ating rehiyon. Marahil hindi ako laging magtatagumpay, pero pangako, lagi ko itong pagsisikapan. Sana maging masaya kayo na kapatid ninyo ako. Kasi ako, sa kabila ng lahat, nagpapasalamat ako. Masaya ako.