Dear Sisters, Regina Rosarii Mission partners and Friends,

The end of the year 2011 is here. I invite you to journey with me in a prayerful thanksgiving for the many blessings we have been given. The fact you can read what I am writing is already a blessing. Because you can comprehend what I am saying means you are a lucky one who can be aware of events happening around us.

We are happy to share with you that we have gathered through the K bears project enough to give joy to 1,000 people whom we minister to during the Tuesdays with K friends. Our K friends are those who live in the Kalye, (street) have Kailangan (need), live in a Kariton (pushcart).

The cross of the Chapel has now been hoisted to the steeple. It was very windy and risky, however thanks to all the prayers of those who witnessed it, the thumping of our hearts eased out when the CROSS stood there and proclaimed, the Triumph of Cross.

We have started on a 100 days countdown before the blessing of the Chapel. We have only 80 days left before March 19^th. We pray there will be more good hearted people who will see to the completion of the chapel. The interior work takes time, but our Lady will see us through.

The Dominican Sisters of Regina Rosarii visited our Mother Congregation in Molo. They welcomed us with their heart. We visited our elderly and sick Sisters last December 29. We came home with great joy knowing all is well now and will be well. We continue with our new springtime of consecrated life with faith in Jesus we follow: Jesus the friend of the poor and the healer of the broken.

Thank you Lord for the year that was. Welcome to the new year, 2012! This is going to be a year of many graces, a year of hope, a year of plenty.

Thank you for visiting our website and for being part of Regina RICA and our Ministry. Wishing you all a very happy, healthy new year that is full of harmony.

Lovingly in our Lady, Regina Rosarii,

SISTER EPPIE and Sisters

HURRY !

Last day to claim your prizes is on January 22, 2012

HURRY !

Last day to claim your prizes is on January 22, 2012

In the midst of all the joyful anticipation of Christmas, how can one explain the sad event that now beset our country? It happened so fast. The flash flood waters came. It brought the  top soils of denuded forest down the swollen rivers. Mud flowed. How ironic, how mysterious, how un explainable! The Wise Magi are coming to bring gifts and hope this Christmas...but death came instead to this woman who lost her 3 her children.

Yet, such is life. The expectation and the reality, life and death, hope and doubt. They are one. Will you say a prayer for this mother? She crosses her arms. Her eyes are now dry after the wailing and the weeping. She is trying to be brave.

She needs our help. So does the many other flood victims who have lost their home, their loved ones, their treasure and things. When you buy things this Christmas, think of this woman who may be able to use the money you will use for superfluous gifts to bury her children and buy a Christmas dinner. She can still bring a small ray of hope and joy to the heart of those who survive.

At the end of our life, we may regret that we have not lived life to the full! Living life to the full means, loving and forgiving; significance over success, and leaving a legacy more than leaving money to those you love.

It is not too late.

May you have a very loving, significant and beautiful Christmas as you help make others happy and hope full!

Lovingly,

Sister Eppie, OP

God is Emmanuel, the God with us, so close to us. How nice to think that we are never alone; that our God stands with us, walks with us, feels with us….  With God beside us, within us, with us, how can we feel alone, lonely, afraid and be insecure this season of plenty? By plenty, I do not mean full of material things! Plenty means abundantly blessed, full of peace, acceptance, and surrender.

Today I watched the DMCI workers finish the steeple of the chapel building. The wind was blowing, the rain was falling, my heart was thumping; I was so afraid for them. They were working in a precarious and dangerous height. It was so amazing that they managed to finish the work on time for the Christmas lunch we hosted for them. We are so full of gratitude for all who make our Chapel on the hill possible.

The raffle draw last December 13 was so exciting. The winner of the Suzuki Alto car only bought one ticket. Indeed Lady Luck was on her side. We gave out 100 prizes. Thanks to all who participated in the fund raising for the building of the Chapel. Everything counts.

We celebrated the soft blessing of the Columbary, Pahuwayan, (Ilongo term for a Resting Place). The 5 women mystics were also blest. They all looked so graceful, almost moving with life. St Martha and Mary, St. Julian of Norwich, welcome you at the entrance. The two Doctors of the Church St. Catherine of Siena and St. Teresa of Avila are on both sides of the altar.  We honor these women mystics for the great teachings they have shown us about contemplative prayer.

We have a peacock at Regina RICA. So vain and so full of self. He walks like a king, so stately. He likes to watch himself in the mirror. What a peacock and what lessons she gives us in life. He accompanied the female peahen at a time when the poor peahen was sick. He accompanied her faithfully until the end. Vain yet so faithful. Thank you to our pilgrims who just watch the peacock go by, never tease him like they do the monkeys Uging, Ong and Guy.

We bid goodbye to this year thanking each and everyone who have shared towards the building of the Regina Rosarii Chapel on the Hill. You are all a part of the Regina RICA. We welcome the new year with hope that this year you will find deeper peace, greater joy, better health of mind and body.

We wish you all the best this season of plenty. Enjoy Christmas with Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Have a great season of bonding, blessing and breathing. Be alive! Breathe!!! Welcome 2012! Have no fear, this year will be a year of many many blessings for those of you who make Mama Mary known and loved through all the earth!

One with you in the eternal NOW,
Sister Eppie