Providence Sister makes her first vows

By SR. GERMAINE CHAILFOUX, sp
Special to the WCRr
Edmonton

About 150 sisters, family members and friends joined Tobias in thanking God for her calling as a Sister of Providence. She was presented with the community cross and ring from Sister Carla Montante.

Sister Jovita's gifts of music and liturgical dance were part of this beautiful celebration as well as elements from both her Filipina culture and Canadian heritage.

We're particularly grateful for St. Theresa's Choir who helped make this a significant and prayerful celebration. Msgr. Don MacDonald was the presider and homilist at the Eucharistic celebration for this special occasion.

Sister Jovita's religious community said the following prayer over her:

"Jovita, you became part of the family of God through your Baptism. Now today, we rejoice with you as you deepen that commitment, presenting yourself to the Lord and professing vows as a Sister of Providence.

"May you have courage to be a servant of the poor, spreading to the wider family of God's people the compassion, joy, simplicity and charity of the Sisters of Providence.

"We promise you our love and support as you live out this commitment. Welcome, Jovita, and thank you."

This past year, Tobias was in Calgary for her apostolic novitiate. She lived with the Sisters of Providence at Stanley Road and was substitute teacher with Calgary Separate School District.

Tobias loves to work with young children and desires to manifest the Providence of God as an elementary teacher. She is open to serve God's people wherever the duties of charity call her.

We are grateful to Tobias for her whole-hearted "yes" to the Lord and wish her all the best as she continues her formation journey as a Sister of Providence, following in the footsteps of the congregation's foundress, Venerable Emilie Gamelin.

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