LAY JOSEPHINE ORIENTATION SESSION IN ILOILO, PHILIPPINES BY LJ SILAY GROUP

The Lay Josephine Orientation Session held in the Receiving Room of Holy Family Home, Iloilo City, on March 7, 2020 from 2:00 to 5:00 PM, was conducted by the 8 Lay Josephines of Mary in Nazareth who came all the way form Silay City, Negros Occidental (ladies in blue). Fifteen attended the session, from different parts of Iloilo, including Gemma Cabalfin (former SSJ junior), Liza Sobrevega (former SSJ novice), Carol, the niece of Mo. Rosario Cinco, SSJ, a mother of our present dormitory resident and some former residents of our very own Holy Family Home, Iloilo. Sr. Dahlia Alcala, SSJ was also present, together with some of her former classmates and friends.

A video about our Congregation- Siervas de San José was presented by Sr. Paz Banaria, SSJ. 

Then, members of the LJ Silay Group were introduced by their group Coordinator Mary Ann Ledesma, LJ after which she presented the LJ Identity, Vision, Charism and Mission shared with the SSJ. The advocacy of the LJ was also shared. Each member gave a testimony of her life/ faith experiences as an LJ, which were all inspiring and moving. 

After this part, a video on the LJ Philippines latest General Assembly held in Manila last November 2019 was presented, followed by a video of the group's activities and involvements. 

After the Session Proper, snacks were served, including native delicacies brought by Rogielyn, LJ and the different bread products brought by Gemma Cantara Cabalfin, while the participants were asked to share their experiences, insights, or messages. All shared with enthusiasm and openness. 

Some expressed willingness to continue the process began while a few expressed their hesitation to commit themselves to the LJ due to busy schedules of work, family tasks, business and other reasons.  In general, the great interest and active participation shown by the group gives us SSJs and LJs a ray of hope that a new LJ group would emerge in Iloilo. The session ended with a group pictorial. The Emcee of the whole session was Rogielyn, LJ.