Sharing One Mission as Stewards of Creation and Promoters of Justice and Peace

In line with the celebration of the Season of Creation, the Carmelite Missionaries Secular of the Philippine Demarcation held their 6th Family Day last September 24, 2023, at Mater Carmeli School, D. Tuazon, Quezon City. The theme of this year’s celebration is “CMS Family, Steward of Creation and Promoters of Justice and Peace.”

The activity was done in a hybrid setup wherein the Luzon group gathered together face to face along with the members from Visayas and Mindanao who actively participated via Zoom.   Sr. Gina Pios, CM, Provincial Superior, Sr. Victoria Mesina, CM, Sr. Corazon Gaballo, CM, Councilor in charge of the CMS and the Juniorate community were also present.

The celebration started with an opening prayer led by the Novaliches group followed by a welcome message from Chari Tinsay, Demarcation Coordinator imparting an inspiring thought on the acronym C-M-S, wherein C stands for Creation Stewards, caring for all living things, M for Mary as our model and S for the shared mission of Carmelite Missionaries and CMS.

Bro. John Din, National Coordinator of Laudato Si’ Movement Pilipinas shared a talk on Laudato Si’ that challenges everyone to take a holistic approach to taking care of the environment by understanding one’s identity as part of the ecosystem, leading by example to others and participating in different environmental advocacies.

After the talk, participants shared their insights, suggestions, and practices that they are currently doing in response to Laudato Si’. This was followed by the Eucharistic Celebration presided over by Fr. Benigno Beltran, SVD who gave a meaningful homily emphasizing the role of the CMS not only in taking care of the environment but also in a nourishing relationship with one another.

The afternoon activity was filled with fun and excitement as everyone participated in the games prepared and facilitated by the Madriñan group.

The celebration culminated with a short closing message by Sr. Azenith Trevenio, CM, CMS Demarcation Adviser, thanking all the participants for their support and cooperation which made the activity deeply meaningful and fruitful.  Likewise, she encouraged all CMS to invite more family members to join the yearly encounter to experience a joyful sense of belonging as one big family, walking together in love, peace, and justice. Then, Sr. Gertita Tacuyan, CM led a beautiful Closing Liturgy to end the celebration.

Jeralyn M. Estrera
CMS Novaliches