TAIWAN, China.
Another celebration of the 50th anniversary of the TA (Teresian Association) presence in Taiwan was held on November 30th in Tainan, the diocese where we were invited 52 years ago and where we have had our own center for the last 48 years. Maite Uribe, who made a very short stop on her way to the Philippines from Rome, participated in this event.
The Eucharist was held at the Sacred Heart Parish, presided by the Bishop of Tainan, Most Rev. Bosco Lin, and concelebrated with eleven priests. An international choir lead the lively singing of Chinese mass songs. TA representatives from Rome, Jordania, Tokio, Penang (Malasia) and Manila participated in the celebration.
Thanksgiving and renewal formed the constant tune as we prepared for this event and we extended our invitation to friends, colleagues, benefactors, past students, family members and representatives of church groups. The parish church was filled with more than 220 well wishers who also expressed their gratitude for the many ways they were touched and had benefitted from the TA in the last 50 years.
“You are the salt of the earth” was the theme for the celebration. St. Pedro Poveda’s reflection on this text was read both in Chinese and English before the liturgical readings: 2Cor 4:13-18, “I believed therefore I spoke,” and Mt. 5:13-16, “You are the salt and light of the world.” Ms. Dzen beautifully sang the responsorial psalm on “The Lord is my shepherd.” After communion, a violin rendition of “You raise me up” was done by Ms. Fan.
Bishop Lin’s homily centered on the “salt of the earth” with some statements of concrete experiences he has had with our members and said: “there is a beautiful atmosphere in their center (TA) and in their activities with young people and I invite you to go there to learn how they do it.” He also showed his appreciation for our presence stating: “Our diocese is privileged to have them here with us.”
Added to the mass readings was the sharing of five members on their life and TA vocation, thus giving more reasons to celebrate. The first one by Conchi Banaag (Philippines) who stayed in Taiwan for a total of 14 years was: “My years in Taiwan” and she ‘fell in love with the people,’ followed by Teresa Wei (Taiwan) who entitled it: “Let me tell you…” enumerating her TA vocation experiences and stating key features of our lay calling. Christopher Chen (Taiwan), an ACIT member, talked about his faith journey and how he came to know the TA. Fe Te (Philippines) was the fourth speaker, also an ACIT member, and shared her source of inspiration and her reflection as a TA member. The last sharer was Maria Sanchez (Spain) who narrated the history of her vocation, her search and its fulfillment in the TA.
Offerings with symbolic meaning
The offertory procession of gifts included the following with their symbolic meaning: a colorful scarf for each one to reflect the colorful past 50 years and the hope that the next 50 years will also be full of variety and colors in all our life experiences. A lit candle was presented because we have followed the light of Christ and we re-commit ourselves to be led by His light in our personal and communitarian paths. Salt, which will always remind us to be “giving taste” wherever we are, with no need to be seen, was also offered. A mango tree to symbolize our past 50 years was abundance with God’s grace and avocado seedling that will become a big tree to represent what we look forward to in the succeeding years with God’s guiding love.
For the offerings there was also a booklet with our past stories as foundation for our next 50 years. Also there were candies that reminded us to celebrate life’s good things and joy. Finally, The Bread reminded us to share our resources and time especially with the poor.
Maite gave the words of thanks before the end of the Eucharist on behalf of all the TA in Taiwan. She reminded us that it is memory that brought us together and it is the present that poses challenges to us to live the mission.
Snack boxes were distributed as we greeted friends and thanked them for joining our celebration. We gave a refrigerator magnet as a souvenir with a thought from St. Pedro Poveda that says: “The fulfillment of one’s duty is the first step to holiness.” This was chosen considering also those who hold different religious persuasions, as a guiding principle in life that they too can follow.
Old friends and past students, with some who travelled hours to come for this event, expressed their joy of being with us again. One lay missionary expressed: “I have never attended such a meaningful way of celebrating an anniversary!”
Later there was a celebration to cut the 50th anniversary cake. Maite Uribe shared her thoughts around three attitudes: Be grateful always, Share the faith and the vocation to all corners of Taiwan, and Live in communion, care for one another.
Someone also said: “I realized that every missionary who tries to live out her mission, no matter how limited she may be as a person, becomes a gift to the Church.” And so, we do hope for the next 50 years of the TA, we become more and more a gift to the church in Taiwan.
Text: Cora Mateo
Photos : Francesca Lin, Agosh Librea