Huge Attendance at the Memorial Mass for Sister Marda and Departed Franciscans
You'll be very proud to know that the SJT Alumni took great pride and effort to memorialize each of our beloved Franciscan nuns and priests at Mass this past Sunday. The alumni each wore navy-blue ribbons (SJT uniform skirt/trouser color) provided by Rosalita Santos, who currently teaches at Bishop Baumgartner Memorial Middle School. We held a Commemorative Candle Procession (29 total), which I created and personalized with the photo of each clergy, that was carried to the altar by the alumni, as Sister Gloria read each name. We formed an SJT choir, enlisted SJT musicians, like jazz guitarist, Carlos Laguana and keyboard artist and vocalist, Ray Miranda for the instrumental accompaniment. Robert Hoffman, Vice-Mayor of Sinajana Village directed the choir and the musicians. The SJT alumni were at the forefront of the Eucharistic Celebration, especially in Father Gus Gumataotao a '68 alumnus, who celebrated Mass! The church was filled to the loft with our families, friends and grateful parishioners, who came to show their love and gratitude to the individual Franciscan nuns and priests.
I've already posted photos (with mouseovers) on the web www.sjtalumniofguam.com in the HOME page of the Memorial Mass. The event was a huge success due to the collaborative efforts of the alumni! Sister Gloria was extremely instrumental in securing the date for the event, and contacting me to assist in organizing the various alumni groups. Everyone was lovingly supportive and generously provided the light refreshments afterward. And what an impressive array of delicious Chamorro pastries, salads, soups, and sandwiches was served!
Mr. Romeo Whang, a Chancery Councilman with the Agana Archdiocese, and a very close friend of Sister Marda was in attendance. He cried through most of the Mass, and had a difficult time composing himself when he'd look at her photo, or when he spoke of her. Nuns from four communities honored us with their presence, also (their names and photos on the HOME page of our web).
Sister Gloria honored us by eulogizing Sister Marda and spoke of the great love Sr. Marda had for Guam and especially for the people of Sinajana. Maggie Tenorio eulogized Sister Marda with her personal lifelong experiences that most of us wished we'd had with Sister. Sister Marda and all the nuns and priests, whom we remembered at this Memorial Mass, will remain in our hearts, and always in our prayers!
Love and blessings,
Polly (aka Pauline Perez Quichocho)
Posted by Saint Jude Alumni of Guam at January 20, 2010 5:29 PM 
Categories: SJT ALUMNI ACTIVITIES, Give a Shout Out, SHOUT OUT
Categories: SJT ALUMNI ACTIVITIES, Give a Shout Out, SHOUT OUT
What a momentous event we missed by not being there for the Memorial Mass honoring all our beloved FSPA nuns and Capuchin priests! I could clearly visualize the procession of SJT alumni that brought those 29 lit candles up to the altar--enough to give me "goosebumps". I could even envision the inspiration gotten from listening to the beauty & harmony of the hymns that were sung during the Mass, and of them lifting up to the rafters of the church! What a wonderful family of alumni we are, especially those of you who were there and did all the selfless work as an offering and tribute to our mentors! God Love and Keep You In the Palm of His Hands...
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