Caceres Archbishop to Gualandi students: 'Be evangelizers'

By Myrna Bermudo

"A silver anniversary celebration is not only a celebration of the past but a sending forth for the future."

These were the words of Caceres Archbishop Rex Andrew Alarcon who posed a challenge to the faithful gathered at the Gaulandi Center for the Deaf: “Perhaps the challenge for the next 25 years is this: May we become a Church where the deaf are not simply recipients of ministry, but active members, protagonists, evangelizers and co-responsible participants in the life of the Church."

The Sisters of the Little Mission for the Deaf (SLMD) alongside the teachers, students and benefactors of the Joseph Gualandi School for the Hearing Impaired gathered on August 29 to celebrate the 25th year of its foundation anniversary in Naga City with Alarcon as the officiating prelate during the eucharistic celebration.

“Twenty-five years ago, we came to Caceres with a charism from the Lord through our founder, Msgr. Joseph Gualandi, to make the love of Christ known and be experienced by the deaf and to accompany them in their journey of faith, education, human development and belonging in the Church, “ said Sr. Nora Patlonag, local superior of SLMD.

Home to children and families with special needs, the school creates an environment for learning so that the hearing impaired will be taught and trained how to communicate using sign language, develop self-confidence, skills and Gospel values.

Sr. Nora is grateful for their apostolate to the deaf. “They taught us to listen not with our ears but with our hearts," she said.

Looking forward, Sr. Nora shared her vision, “May this celebration renew our gratitude, communion and commitment to continue building a church where every person is welcomed, heard, valued and given a place in the table of Christ. “

Alarcon expressed his admiration for the ‘Little Mission’ of the congregation saying that the Kingdom of God is often built on little things.

“And perhaps this is the secret of the past 25 years," he added.

Caceres Archbishop Rex Andrew Alarcon with the community of the Sisters of the Little Mission for the Deaf headed by Sr. Nora Pationag, SLMD with the students and teachers of the Gualandi School for the Deaf celebrated their 25th foundation anniversary on Aug. 29. (Photo from the Sisters of the Little Mission for the Deaf)