In the early 1970s the Columban Sisters began a formation program in the Philippines. Filipino Sisters before that trained overseas. We thank Sister Mary O’Dea SSC for contributing the stories of the vocations of three who came through the new program and who have celebrated their Silver Jubilee. You can learn more about the Columban Sisters at www.columbansisters.org andwww.columban.ph

Sister Tammy Saberon

Sr Tammy (2nd L-R with fellow Columban Sisters and companions in Myanmar

Sister Tammy Saberon’s call to become a missionary goes way back - almost to before she was born. Her family lived in Tangub in the Southern Philippines where the Columban Fathers and Sisters had many missions. Tammy’s father used to accompany the local priest, Fr Pat Campion, when he went on his missionary journeys into the mountains. She can still remember her father saying to her mother early one morning ‘These missionaries are like soldiers they leave their families and their countries to go where they were sent- to do God’s work.’ It was as though at that moment the seed of my missionary vocation was sown in my heart.’ Tammy later recalled.

Her early education took place in Molave, Zamboanga del Sur, where the Columban Sisters ran a school. Tammy still remembers one of the sisters, Sister Mary Bernard Quinn, whose prayer life and genuine love for everyone; especially the poor made me a strong impression on her. To quote Tammy herself: ‘Though she never had an opportunity to study the Cebuano language, she was able to relate and communicate with everyone by her love. This genuine love spoke louder than any expert in the language, she was able to relate and communicate with everyone by her love. This genuine love spoke louder than any expert in the language.’

For college, Tammy first studied in Immaculate Conception College, Ozamiz City, run by the Columban Sisters, and completed her education at Notre Dame University, Cotabato City. During this time she becomes deeply aware of God’s personal love for her and she began to study the Bible on a regular basis.

Some years later, the seed that had been sown in early childhood took deeper root and Tammy joined the Columban Sisters. After her initial training as a missionary sister, she was assigned to Hongkong and later to mainland China. Tammy is now part of a small team of Columaban Sisters missioned in Myanmar. There she shares with the people her great love of Scripture through courses and programs.

Looking back on 25 years of missionary religious life, Tammy is most grateful for the blessings that have come to her through the many people who have touched her life in the places where she hase been assigned. She sums it all up in these words: ‘My life belongs to the Lord and to the Mission and that is why I am alive and happy.

You may write to: Sr Tammy Saberon SSC

Sister Perlita Ponge

Sr Perlita in Pakistan

I was born in Bangkulasi, Navotas, a suburb of greater Manila. In my family there are three girls and three boys. I attended the local elementary and high school and then went on to study elementary education.

On graduation from college, I went to work on a small island close to my home. I was the first teacher in the area. Here I saw the poverty of the people many of whom could neither read nor write. Yet, these people wanted an education for their children.

In 1975, I joined the Columban Sisters and did my preparation for religious life in Manila. My first assignment outside of the Philippines was in Peru in South America where I worked in a village high in the Andes Mountains.  There, the Columban Sisters worked with small communities scattered across the steep hillsides.

I had been in Peru for about seven years when the Columban Sisters decided to go on mission to Pakistan. Sisters interested in this new venture where asked to volunteer. I was one of those who offered to go. It was a total change from Peru.

Pakistan is almost 100 percent Muslim. Since direct preaching of the Gospel is not possible, we endeavor to proclaim the Good News through the ordinary daily interactions of life. Living in a Muslim community, we, too, are the recipients of their goodness and caring. During the invasion of Iraq, when it was dangerous for foreigners to go out on the streets, our Muslim neighbors made sure that we had sufficient food during this difficult time.

At the present time, I am part of the leadership team of the Columban Sisters and live in Handsworth in Birmingham, England, where last year I celebrated my Silver Jubilee as a Columban Sister. What the future holds for me I do not know, but trusting in God will continue to sing: ‘My soul glorifies the Lord. My spirit rejoices I God my Savior.

You may write to: Sr Perlita Ponge SSC

Columban Sisters, 55 Thornhill Road, handsworth

Birmingham B21 9BT, England.

Sister Cecilia Cuizon

I was born in Labinay, Ozamiz City, the last barrio before Tangub City. Since Tangub is much nearer for us, we do all  our business and religious practices there. Mos of us studied in Tangub. I did my secondary schooling in St Michael’s High School, formerly run by the Columban Sisters. That’s how I met the Columban Sisters. Sisters Mary Consuelo Mercado, Claire O’ Rorke, Patrcia McGuinness, Mary Perpetua, Inday Regina Bernad, who became my novice directress later, Mary de Sales and Oliver were the Sisters there in Tangub at different times. My mission was Chile where I bloomed personally and where my call to religious life was most nurtured.

God’s unconditional love shown through people and events stands out for me as I recall my 25 years as a religious sister. For the last 25 years, I have tried to live my motto: ‘My happiness lies in you alone, O Lord’ and, true enough, not for one moment in my 25 years have I felt abandoned or left alone by my God. I might not be the most faithful one but I know my God takes me as I am especially in my worst condition.

You may write Sr Cecilia Cuizon SSC at PO Box 2396, 7200 Ozamiz City, Philippines