Sisters, lay partners, alumni, benefactors, and friends had a festive gathering in Barangay Banlic, Cabuyao City on May 8, the feast day of the Institute, for the blessing of Canossa Academy-Cabuyao Pre-school. This school is intended for the poor children in this locality and a fitting gift to our Mother Foundress, St. Magdalene of Canossa, on her feast day.
The Eucharistic Celebration which was also the Good Shepherd Sunday was presided by Fr. Rex Cutamora, OFM Cap. This was followed by the blessing liturgy led by Fr. Rex with a simple program facilitated by Mrs. Melinda Espinosa and Mr. Joseph Caguimbaga. Sumptuous lunch packs were shared by the guests after the blessing.
During the blessing program Sr. Lilia Nuesca, Provincial Leader, welcomed the guests and highlighted the significance of this event on this feast day of our Mother Foundress. She also thanked the Carpena Family, children of the late Mr. & Mrs. Amado Carpena led by Sr. Milagros Carpena, FdCC who donated the lots for the school premises. Present to witness this occasion were her siblings Mrs. Estefania C. Alba, Mrs. Sara C. Zamora, Mr. Tom Carpena, and Mr. Cesar Carpena together with their in-laws Mrs. Rickie Carpena, and Mrs. Angie Carpena for their departed brothers Amado, Jr. and Victor respectively. Sr. Magdalena Larcia, Provincial Councillor for the education ministry, shared the events that led to this celebration. It started with a dream of Sr. Milagros to have a Pre-school for the poor on this lot which she shared with Sr. Lilia N in January 2019. After a process of consultations with all the Sisters, school administrators, the Department of Education in Cabuyao, and the support of benefactors, this dream was carried out even during the pandemic period through the preparation of a feasibility study, construction of the school building, and the granting of a government permit to operate. Sr. Magdalena remarked that this is just the beginning of Canossa-Cabuyao. The presence and support of each one will ensure its continued existence for a catholic education of the children, especially the poor.
After listening to the Pre-school’s humble beginning, Fr. Rex and the guests proceeded to go around to bless the building and the premises. Sr. Luzviminda Mojica, Canossa-Cabuyao administrator, gave her closing remarks thanking all the guests, one of them was Cabuyao Vice Mayor and an alumnus, Leif Opiña, for their presence. She appealed for their support for a sustained education of the poor children in the vicinity, this school year and in the years to come.
It was truly a get-together of Sisters, alumni, retired or current lay partners, Lay Canossians, and friends who stayed for some time after the blessing to catch up on stories from one another.
– Sr. Maria Magdalena Larcia, FdCC
