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Ann Carbon, missioned
in Peru , returned to her native Philippines in March , 2003 to
make her Final Profession.
Having had a vacation with
her family, Ann has now returned to Peru where she and
Sister Mary Nolan are starting a new mission near
Ayucucho.(Come
back for more on the mission to Ayucucho later).
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Final
Profession of Sister Anne Carbon
The Final
Profession of Vows of Anne Carbon was celebrated on March 30, at
the Immaculate Conception Church, in her home parish of Bulua,
Cagayan de Oro City in the Philippines.
It was a celebration attended by the Columban Family
(sisters, priests, lay missionaries, students), the Carbon
Family (parents and 7 sisters and their families), relatives,
friends and parishioners of Immaculate Conception.
The whole celebration was organized by Anne with the help
of the parish priest, parish leaders, friends and her family who
are active members of the parish.
That day, the church
was simply but elegantly decorated with pink roses, a gift of
Anne’s father and his friends. The pink roses hold a symbolic meaning for Anne’s vocation
story. The main
celebrant was Bishop Jeremias Jimenez of the Diocese of
Pagadian. When Anne
was working in Midsalip as a newly-professed sister, Bishop
Jimenez was very supportive of her ministry with the Subanen
people. (The Subanens are an ancient, indigenous people in the
South of the Philippines.)
Some of Anne’s Subanen friends came all the way from
Midsalip to be present at Anne’s Final Profession.
They danced the “Alleluia” before the Gospel –
gently and very reverently.
There were six
Columban Sisters present at the special Mass and each one had a
role to play in the celebration. Sr. Ann Rita Centeno gave the homily taking mission in
today’s world as it theme.
After
the Mass, the people were invited to the parish hall for
refreshments. Later, the family and close friends shared a meal
in the Columban Fathers’ Centre House in Patag.
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