In the past, during our celebration of our Mother Foundress Feast Day, we have had many group sharing and reflective moments – be it drawing, painting, slide show presentations of our Mother House, and even hearing stories of her history, her works and how she rose above the many adversities in life. Included in her legacy is also the many beautiful quotes that she has shared throughout her lifetime. Truly, St. Mary Euphrasia is an evergreen inspirational figure that we are all drawn towards. How then, do we celebrate her Feast Day and bring out the living tradition of caring and giving in each and every one of us? This year, the staff from the social services – student care, women’s crisis shelter and the children homes, participated as a community and put up a performance, reliving the significant moments of St. Mary Euphrasia’s life. Each service re-enacted the significant moments of her life, starting from her childhood days to her teenage years in boarding school, her life in the convent, the founding of the Generalate, and ending with her last days. As a community, the staff re-created St. Mary Euphrasia’s great tradition of caring and giving hope to those who need it. This performance not only increased our knowledge of St. Mary Euphrasia’s life, but it also gave us a chance to reflect on the work that we do. Like the many women and children that we work with, St. Mary Euphrasia experienced multiple trials and hardship in her life. Yet she was filled with hope because she had people who loved and supported her during those tough times. St. Mary Euphrasia also loved what she was called to do and she believed that love can move mountains, as she once said, “love, yes, love your calling, for this holy and generous love will impart strength to you so as to enable you to surmount all obstacles”. Through this year’s Feast Day, we as a community are greatly inspired to continue to promote hope and love to all who come our way.

The registration started at 8:45am.

Everyone was given a sticker “Just Love”, one of the many simple yet profound quotes from St Mary Euphrasia and a bag of crispy fish skin generously donated by Causeway Pacific Business P/L.

How to celebrate a Feast Day!

Our event was celebrated at the Chapel of the Good Shepherd Place, 24th April 2019.

Sr Cecilia kick start the celebration with an opening prayer and message about “Just Love”;

what “Love” meant to each and every one of us and how this intrinsic value is carried out in our various ministries.

Our Board of Director, Ms Jacqueline Low took the opportunity to meet

with all staff from the social services and give a briefing on Code of Governance.

The team got prepared to put on the best visual effects for their performances

We started the performance with the staff from IPAC (Interim for Placement and Assessment Centre) who portrayed the childhood days of Rose Virginie to her teenage years.

Rose Virginie continued to grow in her love for God and for the women and children who crossed her path. Rose Virginie was ever so determined to profess her religious vows which she eagerly looked forward to when she reached 21 years old. The teenage years to convent life was portrayed by our colleagues from the Good Shepherd Student Care.

Although excited by the idea, St Mary Euphrasia was unsure whether to form a Generalate because it was a daunting task. However, she soon received the sign from God. Good Shepherd Centre told us a story from St Mary Euphrasia’s convent life to the establishment of the Generalate.

Despite invitations to open up Homes in various countries, St Mary Euphrasia struggled back in Angers as she had difficulties ensuring constant communication between the Convent and the newly purchased St Nicholas Abbey. The period of the Founding of Generalate was portrayed by PSGC (Pilot Small Group Care).

The last days of St Mary Euphraisa and its dramatic play of “In dying, we live” was led by our Children’s Home, Ahuva Good Shepherd.

After the performances, Sr Cecilia led us through reflective moments by inviting a few people to

share their experiences playing the different roles in the portrayal of St Mary Euphrasia’s life.

Our Board of Directors was our panel of Judges.

From left: Gregory, Natalie, Jacqueline, Gabrielle, Jane-Marie and Vivian They selected and presented the awards…

Best Visual Effects (GSC) Best Sound (IPAC) Most Inspiring (AGS)

Best Comedy/Musical (GSSC) Best Picture (PSGC)

Best Supporting Performer Best Performer (Dewina, GSSC. Portrayal of Pauline) (Ruby, AGS for the portrayal of St Mary Euphrasia)

Before we proceeded for lunch, we gave thanks to our Lord for the gift of St Mary Euphrasia. We sang a song of gratitude, “Pass It On”.

A buffet lunch was an excellent fellowship to end the celebratory event.