LAY JOSEPHINES IN THE PHILIPPINES CELEBRATING THEIR 2019 NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

LAY JOSEPHINES,  ROWENA AUXILLOS (BONETTE) & SIERVAS DE SAN JOSE

The 2019 Lay Josephine National Assembly was held at the SSJ Provincial House from November 30 to December 1, 2019 with this theme: FALLING IN LOVE WITH THE CHARISM. It focused on Strategic Planning and Team building facilitated by Dr. Rowena Auxillos, M.D. and attended by 31 Lay Josephines from the different LJ groups and 9 sisters from the different communities.

DR. ROWENA AUXILLO, M.D. (FACILITATOR)

The Lay Josephines took to task the responsibility of organizing their first national assembly.  Dr. Connette  L. Sta. Cruz,M.D. (LJ Coordinator) met together with the leaders of each LJ group and members of the Planning/ Steering Committee on the 3^rd Sunday LJ meeting with the link SSJ sister. The facilitator was given all the information about the SSJ congregation and the Lay Josephine Spirituality. The spirit of Nazareth, the inspiration of the Holy Family and of their founders Bonifacia and Butinya filled up what had been lacking in the preparations.

On the first day of the assembly, Nov. 30, 2019, the facilitator was able to pick up immediately the strengths /weaknesses of the group. She was on top of the situation as she started the ball rolling by introducing herself to the group; she being a medical doctor herself and her capability as facilitator of hospitals and other lay groups for administration/ organization. She facilitated the whole day on STRATEGIC PLANNING. Groups discussed and reported written answers in Manila paper for synthesis: “What’s inspiring?”; “What’s working?”; “What’s possible?”; “What’s missing?” Through this process, our LJ members discovered their own strengths, capabilities and weaknesses. The VISION and MISSION of the Lay Josephine Spirituality were also revisited. They were made simpler and easier to live out in their ordinary lives. Notable were the efforts to unify their understanding and doing, living the Nazareth spirituality in the different services for girls at risks and for the unemployed woman. In the revisit of the LJ Mission/ Vision Statements, tackled in the group discussions at different sessions were the following: “Where are we going?” How are we going to get there?”; “Why Change?; “Next Steps: Action Steps”. It was also a moment of realization that they are treading the same path with the SSJ towards realization of their goals. Although, still at its early stages of development, it’s showing up it’s leveling up!

DR. CONNETTE L. STA. CRUZ (LJ COORDINATOR)

GROUP ONE

GROUP TWO

GROUP THREE

Very inspiring, indeed, was the 100 % attendance of the LJ Group from Silay City, Negros Occidental. 

They facilitated the activities before supper. One of them presented a PowerPoint presentation on Sharing, one of the most important Nazareth values. 

Their coordinator shared the summary of their experiences as LJs. They are a very solid group living out the 4 dimensions of formation in the different stages (Life, Goods, Spirituality and Mission). They meet regularly every 2^nd Sunday of the month for their formation and sharing of faith-life experiences. They have their outreach program with the economically challenged people in Hacienda Maquina every 4^th Sunday of the month. They have their own funds that come from their regular monthly contributions and their income from Arts/ Crafts. Their coordinator is an artist who facilitates their Arts/Crafts Fund-Raising Project.           

The Boodle Fight Dinner and fellowship Night that ended the day’s activities was not only nourishing for their bodies but for the relationships they are developing with one another and with the SSJs!

The second day, December 1, started with the 1^st Advent Sunday Mass. Several activities for team building caught their attention: they realized that their group has to be built on a strong foundation so as to be able to endure the tests of time; how “communication” affected their group proceedings and relationships, how important the trust they have to give to each other and how “committed” they can be in living the charism.

A “change” has come upon them. They are falling in love with the “charism”! This was clearly manifested during their last activity- Evaluation and Recommitment. As each one painted her right hand, she shared what has been her most significant experience during the last two days. They were all very positive and encouraging. Then, they expressed their renewed commitment as Lay Josephine as they imprinted their painted hands on the white Illustration Board. It was a very meaningful and touching experience! 

They felt in their heart a very deep conviction to be a Lay Josephine forever. They expressed their heartfelt gratitude to to the SSJs for their presence and support and most especially to their facilitator for her efficient and effective facilitation skills and very gentle and loving presence.

In the afternoon, the LJ Silay under the facilitation of their coordinator-Maryann Ledesma, LJ, shared with the KBB and YBB their Arts/Crafts. KBB means Kids for Bonifacia and Butinya while YBB means Youth for Bonifacia and Butinya.

MARYANN LEDESMA, LJ FACILITATING THE ARTS/CRAFTS

OUTPUT WORKS OF KBB & YBB

KIDS OF BONIFACIA & BUTINYA / YOUTH OF BONIFACIA & BUTINYA WITH LJs

The LJs of Mandaluyong group started them on April 27, 2019. Two LJs are taking charge of their formation. Being the Year of the Youth, the Lay Josephines decided to celebrate the Christmas party of the KBB and YBB after the LJ Assembly so that the LJs and the SSJs could join them in their celebration.

At the start of the Christmas Party, it was really a delight to see the kids and youth for Bonifacia and Butinya choreographing the songs about Bonifacia and Butinya and performing a short drama in order to present the short life history of the two SSJ founders through the two youths dressed as Bonifacia and as Fr. Butinya. 

A KID FOR BONIFACIA AND BUTINYA CELEBRATING HIS BIRTHDAY DURING THE CHRISTMAS PARTY

There’s, indeed, a great hope for the LJs to flourish at the service of the Kingdom in the poor working world with the coming of our youths and kids for Bonifacia and Butinya! Their parents were there to support them and hopefully, they, too, will be future Lay Josephines.

YBB & KBB WITH THEIR PARENTS

A FAMILY OF LAY JOSEPHINES (YBB, KBB & LJ)

The sense of being one big Josephine family pervaded as they partook together the Christmas Party Meal.



SHARING FROM LJ PARTICIPANTS:

"Our 2 days Strategic Planning and Team building provided by Dr. Bonette was an eye opener to all of us.  Especially when we had to re.-visit our LJ Mission and Vision, we realized the importance and essence of why we are called Lay Josephines.

This activities also brought about the LJs closer together. Kudos to Dr. Bonette for her generosity in sharing her Time, Talent and Treasure and we look up to her as an inspiration to the LJs because she facilitated in opening our hearts and minds to new learnings." Hellivi Hormillosa, LJ

"This activity opened our mind that we should not only give, but we should share and sharing must come from our heart so that others will be inspired also to share God's blessings." Rogielyn Acquiat Lasafin, LJ

"For me, these two days of our assembly had been very fruitful to all of us. We learned how to be open to many possibilities that may come our way. We came to know what we really want and how we can be better Lay Josephines; that it is not the quantity of projects that really matters but the quality of living out the charism bequeathed to us by our Founders: St. Bonifacia and Fr. Butinya... and our witnessing of the value of harmonized prayer and work based on the life of the  Holy Family, Jesus, Mary and Joseph in Nazareth." Cecilia Lagaya, LJ