After 37 years Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres (SPC) decided to close their community at Sta. Cruz Mission,LakeSebu,South Cotabatoon 30 September 2011.
Main reasons:
1) Lack of young sisters to visit remote villages inLakeSebu. Median age is 60.
2) 37 years are too long. Sisters should go to other missions.
3) Noticeable improvement in health of the T’bolis.
4) T’bolis have been satisfactorily empowered. They are capable to address their problems.
Bishop Reginald Arliss, CP, of the then Prelature Nullius of Marbel, invited the Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres to take charge of the health needs of the T’bolis of Sta. Cruz Mission, Lake Sebu. Sister Marie Madeleine, SPC, then Provincial Superior accepted the invitation.
On 14 October 1974 three Sisters arrived: Sr. Adele Bonzon, SPC,Superiorand Health Education; Sr. Eva Maamo, SPC, Physician/Surgeon; Sr. Cecilia Lorayes, SPC, Registered Nurse.
A. Components of health program:
- Health services: 20 dispensaries in mountain areas.
- Family life: responsible parenthood.
- Education/formation (religious formation: Liturgy, Catechesis, BEC, etc).
B. Livelihood
- Animal dispersal
- Credit for Agricultural Development
- Credit for Handicrafts
- Organization and Formation of women’s Cooperative of Craft Makers.
Forty-five (45) Sisters have worked in SCM since then.
The Diocese of Marbel recognizes the tremendous contribution of the SPC Sisters in the integral development of the indigenous peoples, especially the T’bolis served by the Sta. Cruz Mission. We pray you would have more vocations
