Tambunan hosts first Pauline final profession

TAMBUNAN –  Tambunan hosted the first Pauline final profession ceremony on 9 July 2016.

Sr Laura Anggie took her final vows as a Daughter of St Paul in her home parish of St Theresa here.  Bishop Cornelius Piong officiated the Eucharist Celebration with Rite of Perpetual Profession.  Ten priests concelebrated with him.  Over 500 people including 12 professed and two postulants of the Daughters of St Paul,  the Franciscan Sisters, the Putri Karmel Sisters, CSE Brothers and La Salle Br Peter Ng.

Similar to an ordination ceremony, after the gospel reading, the presider examined her on her resolve to make her final profession after being called by name by Provincial Councillor Sr Melba Lobaton.  In his homily, the bishop pointed out its historical value as Sr Laura is the first Daughter of St Paul from the parish as well as from the Keningau Diocese.  He then urged parents present to help their children to “know and love” the Lord so that they will be able to hear his call to “serve” him in the priestly and religious life.  Vocations thrive, said the bishop, when there are generous families and people.

After the chanting of the Litany of the Saints, Sr Laura went to the altar to pronounce her vows of chastity, poverty and obedience for “all her life” according to the Constitutions of the Institute.  The vows were received by Provincial Superior Sr Noemi Vinoya, and witnessed by  Sr Melba Lobaton and Local Superior Sr Christine Sundin.  All of them took turns to sign the document of the profession on the altar.

This was followed by the solemn consecratory prayer of the newly professed by the bishop.  After the solemn blessing, the provincial addressed words of acceptance to the newly professed and gave her a fraternal embrace, followed by all the professed members of the institute.  This is the sign of definitive acceptance into the congregation.

The rite of mandate took place after communion.  The provincial sent the neo-professed to carry out the Pauline apostolate in the local Church of Sabah, and consigned to her the Word of God as a symbol of the apostolate.

In her speech, Sr Laura thanked all those who were involved in her vocation story and formation process.  In gratitude to her widowed mother, the neo-professed gave her a frame of Jesus Divine Master after her speech.

In her turn, the provincial superior said, “We are filled with joy as this diocese and our congregation are blessed by the life-long commitment made by Sr Laura Anggie to God and to the evangelising mission of the Daughters of St Paul through the means of social communication.”

She continued, “In this time when relationships and commitments are so prevalently marked by fragility, this decisive step of Sr Laura of offering her very existence as a living oblation to God, is indeed laudable.  She has made this lifetime commitment, not with stars in her eyes, but with a certain conviction deep within that the Lord will be faithful to his promise.”

Sr Noemi then thanked the bishop, the concelebrants, the family members of Sr Laura, the Parish Pastoral Council, the 30-strong parish choir, the Pauline Cooperators, friends and benefactors who made the occasion a “truly joyful thanksgiving celebration of God’s love, mercy and fidelity.”

After Mass, all adjourned to the Dewan Connolly for the reception, cake-cutting and entertainment presented by various groups including the Pauline Cooperators and the Daughters of St Paul.  There was also a vocation corner where tarpaulins on the life and mission of the Daughters of St Paul were exhibited.

Around 60 people – Sisters, Pauline Cooperators, friends and benefactors – turned up for the concelebrated thanksgiving Mass and fellowship on July 11 held at the Daughters of St Paul Convent Karamunsing.