The sisters of the Daughters of Mary Mother of the Church Institute have joyfully served the people of St. John the Baptist Church in Zachary and Our Lady of the Assumption Chapel in Clinton, teaching in the PSR programs and visiting and distributing the Eucharist to people in nursing homes as well as the homebound.
Because the sisters give with such generosity when it came to their time of need, when their loved ones and religious communities were impacted by a series of hurricanes that quickly tolled massive destruction on their homeland in the Philippines, St. John was moved to give back to them. This year’s contributions to St. John’s Advent Giving Tree will be used for the recovery efforts in the Philippines.
Within a month, five consecutive typhoons recently devastated the Philippines with local names: Quinta, Rolly, Siony, Tony and Ulyssis.
The strongest was Typhoon Rolly, which struck Nov. 1 and left extensive destruction and damages in its path, including flooding, houses covered with lahar (mudflows coming from the volcano), damaged electrical posts, vegetation and houses destroyed, no drinking water and at least 23 lives lost.
Most recent was Typhoon Ulyssis, which aggravated the situation even more. Among the places where these typhoons had some of the greatest destruction was Bicol Region, where the sisters’ families, motherhouse and other mission houses are situated. Their families’ houses situated in different provinces of the Bicol Region of the Philippines were flooded and some had destroyed roofs and flooring.
The sisters serving at St. John and Our Lady of the Assumption are Sister Cielo Pesigan DM of San Pascual, Masbate (an island in the province of Masbate); Sister Maricel Marpuri DM of San Fernando, Camarines Sur; Sister Mary Ann Diaz DM of Guinobatan, Albay, where several houses were covered with lahar coming from the Mayon volcano and at least six persons died; and Sister Fe (Ping) Bista DM, of Tabaco City of the province of Albay.
“As of now their families are in the restoration process. Some have still no electricity,” said Sister Cilelo DM, the local mother superior of the Daughters of Mary. “They are just grateful with the news that their families are safe and can start again.
“These were mission houses flooded and partially destroyed and no electricity until now. We have 22 mission houses in Bicol Region. The most affected mission houses are situated in the island of Catanduanes, then in the province of Albay.”
Upon hearing the news of the recent typhoons, the sisters gathered and prayed for the protection of all the people affected by the storm.
Then the sisters kept checking with one another through texting and calling.
“Two weeks after the typhoons Mother Rosalina Enciso (DM), our mother general, together with two of our sisters visited our sisters in the different mission houses, bringing the necessary stuff that the sisters need and helping them,” Sister Cielo said.
Also during that time the local sisters received communications from their respective families and members of their orders through social media.
“Thanks be to God that they are all alive and safe. As of now they are in the stages of restoration and helping one another,” said Sister Cielo.
Even in the face of devastation, the faith of the Filipinos rises up to meet the demands and challenges. They continue to say, “Praise be Jesus and Mary.”
“Filipinos have a strong faith in the Blessed Virgin Mary. Likewise, Filipinos are resilient and able to withstand and recover quickly from difficult conditions full of hope,” Sister Cielo said. “Let us continuously keep them in our prayers. Thanks so much for everyone’s prayers and concerns.”
Those wishing to help with the recovery efforts of the Philippines, and particularly with the communities of the Daughters of Mary, can mail their contributions, noting that the donations are for the Philippine relief efforts, to: St. John the Baptist Church, 4727 McHugh Dr., Zachary, LA, 70791.