Sr. Annie, FMA celebrates her Ruby Jubilee as a Religious

By Ms. Arlene Abital
Photographs by Arlene Abital and Karl David Valmonte

Boroko, PNG, 5 August 2017 -- “You in me and I in you,” has been the religious motto chosen by Sr. Aniceta Saligumba, FMA, when she made her first profession 40 years ago.

A Thanksgiving Eucharistic celebration was held at Mary Help of Christians Shrine, Boroko, on August 5, 2017. Fr. Alfred Maravilla, SDB - PGS Provincial Superior was the main celebrant. He was joined by eight concelebrating priests. Present on the occasion were different religious orders, the Don Bosco Technological Institute, students and staff, benefactors and other guests.

Sr. Annie, as she is affectionately called by her students, was born on August 12, 1946 in Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines. She is the 4th born in a family of seven siblings and grew up in a prayerful and pious family. At the age of five, she started schooling and completed both her primary and secondary studies at Holy Spirit, Bohol. She then completed her BSE, Maths & Science majors from the National University in Manila. For the next six years she taught at the Holy Trinity Academy, a school managed by the Salesian Sisters of Don Bosco, in the most populated area of Manila.

Here she experienced the joy of self-giving and was inspired by the apostolate of eight Religious missionaries from other countries including that of four Filipinos wo worked with the people in the squatter settlements. At the annual retreat, this young teacher realized her call to serve God as a consecrated Salesian religious. After nine / several months of discernment, she entered religious life in October 1973.

For the past 40 years, she has responded to several assignments with obedience. Her tasks included: class adviser, teacher, Coordinator for Catechetical Ministry, Directress, Provincial Treasurer and Vicar in Mary Help of Christians schools in Canlubang, Cebu, Mindoro and Manila Philippines, Sideia Alotau and Don Bosco Technological Institute, Papua New Guinea. She has also studied Spirituality in Rome, Italy and at the Ateneo de Manila University, Philippines.

Recalling some of her assignments, she said that the Mary Help of Christians school for indigenous people in Mindoro, Philippines was the most challenging. She followed up projects for the FMA congregation for the indigenous people, coordinated with local schools which lack catechists and prepared financial reports for some international funding agencies that support the indigenous. She has been able to achieve much through God’s blessings and the support of the FMA sisters who worked with her.

Vision-mission for the young in PNG

“Don Bosco loves the young. My life for 40 years as a Religious has been fulfilling. I enjoy coordinating activities like camps and in the oratory for the young. I wish that the lives of the religious missionaries and animating presence of lay people in the country may encourage more local vocations. At the end of the years of studies in DBTI, I pray that our young people may continue with their sense of responsibility, initiative and commitment in whatever they do and be agents of moral and social change in the country,” said Sr. Annie, the happy Ruby Jubilarian.

Fr. Maravilla mentioned that August 5th also marks the institute foundation day for the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians in Mornese with St. John Bosco as the main founder and St. Maria Domenica Mazzarello as co-foundress. Addressing attendees of the occasion he recalled the words of Don Bosco “We owe a great debts of gratitude to Mary Help of Christians. What we are and what we have done, we owe to Her.” the Provincial Superior said.

Speaking on the occasion, Sr. Annie’s thanked her family, her superiors and FMA sisters from the Philippines, communities in Tapo, Sideia and Mary Our Help, DBTI Boroko headed by Sr. Juliet De Leon, FMA Superior, Sr. Ria, Sr. Alem and Sr. Jolanta, the Salesian confreres with Fr. Alfred Maravilla, SDB, PGS Provincial Superior and the main presider of the Mass; DBTI community headed by Fr. Louie Castaneda, SDB, Rector; Fr. Roger Miranda, SDB and the Provincial House community; DBTS Gabutu community, Savio Haus Aspirantate in Bomana; all the religious orders present, her advisory class AUT 1B, benefactors and all the other guests.

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