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April 6, 2016, San Fernando, Pampanga, the Philippines – Sisters Salvacion (Salve) B. Valenzuela, OP, and Alma D. Zapanta, OP, professed their perpetual vows April 3 during a special Liturgy at the chapel of Our Lady of Good Counsel Seminary, on the same grounds as the Chapter House in San Fernando, Pampanga, the Philippines.
Sisters Salve and Alma are members of the Adrian Dominican Sisters’ Our Lady of Remedies Mission Chapter. They had both entered the Dominican Congregation of Our Lady of Remedies before that Congregation merged with the Adrian Dominican Sisters in November 2011.
Attending the joyous event were Sister Zenaida S. Nacpil, OP, Chapter Prioress of Our Lady of Remedies; Sister Lorraine Réaume, OP, Formation Director for the Adrian Dominican Sisters; Sisters from the Chapter; and family members and friends.
Sister Salve is the oldest of three siblings, who include her sister Ilyn and her brother Joel. She attended South Villazar Elementary School in Sipcot, Camarines Sur, and graduate in 1997 from her high school, Bicol Institute of Science and Technology.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of the Assumption in San Fernando.
Sister Salve entered the Our Lady of Remedies Congregation in 2007 and professed her first vows on September 18, 2010. While preparing for her final vows, she ministered at Mother of Good Counsel Center for Abused Children/Women. She is also analyzing data for her thesis for her master’s degree in educational management from University of the Assumption.
Sister Salve’s past ministries have included serving as canteen manager at Holy Rosary Academy in Lubao, 2010-2011; teaching preschool at Dominican School of Angeles City, 2011-2012; teaching at Dominican School of Apalit, 2012-2013; serving as a canteen worker at Holy Rosary Academy, Lubao and as assistant administrator/teacher at Holy Trinity Special Education Foundation, 2013-2014; and teaching part-time while working at the treasurer’s office at Dominican School of Angeles City, 2014-2015.
Making her perpetual profession of vows means “to love and serve selflessly now and forever,” Sister Salve said. “My final vows are a manifestation of God’s mercy and compassion.”
The fifth of seven children, Sister Alma was born in San Carlos, San Luis, in Pampanga. She attended San Carlos Elementary School and, in 2000, graduated from San Carlos High School, both in her native San Luis.
While preparing for her final vows, Sister Alma ministered part-time as canteen coordinator at Holy Rosary Academy, Lubao. She graduated from high school in 2000, entered the Our Lady of Remedies Congregation in June 2006, and professed her first vows on April 24, 2010.
Since entering religious life, Sister Alma has ministered in a variety of ways: as a catechist in San Fernando from 2006 to 2008; as secretary for the Office of the Archbishop, 2009; as assistant canteen worker at University of the Assumption, 2010; as a student from 2010 to 2013 at University of the Assumption, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in education; as pastoral worker at the Diocese of San Jose, Nueva Ecija, 2013-2014; and as pastoral worker and head of the Formation Desk at Holy Rosary Parish, Angeles City, 2014-2015.
The vowed life is a “covenant with God,” Sister Alma said. “It is a commitment to serve God and the people of God with joy. My yes to God is always now and forever.”
Featured photo: Sisters Salvacion (Salve) B. Valenzuela, OP, left, and Alma D. Zapanta, OP, professed their final vows on April 3.
April 4, 2016, Adrian, Michigan – Do you have a small amount of money that you would like to invest in keeping with your social values and sense of justice? Do you simply want to understand the concept of “socially responsible investing”?
If you have answered “yes” to any of these questions, the Adrian Dominican Sisters’ Portfolio Advisory Board (PAB) might be offering just what you’re seeking. In a recently posted YouTube presentation directed to small individual investors (“indies”), the PAB offers tips on such steps as setting up investment filters, taking into account such factors as which types of investments you would like to avoid and which you would like to support, as well as information on how you, the small investor, can influence the behavior of corporations. The presentation also includes links to resources that can provide deeper information in such areas as the use of mutual funds, issues that are frequently involved in the considerations of socially responsible investors, and how institutions are handling their investments.
The Adrian Dominican Sisters have been at the forefront of socially responsible investing, having established the PAB more than 40 years ago. The PAB guides the Congregation in two areas: through work as shareholders to persuade corporations to operate in a socially responsible manner, and through low-interest loans to community organizations that promote the common good of people in need throughout the world.
Socially responsible investing has been an integral component of justice and peace work. The Adrian Dominican Sisters and about 300 organizations – members of the Interfaith Coalition on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR) – strive to bring about a more sustainable and just world through their work with multinational corporations.
Adrian Dominican Associate Dee Joyner chairs and Lura Mack directs the PAB, comprised of Sisters, Associates, and lay partners who serve on two committees: Corporate Responsibility and Community Investments. More information about the PAB can be found in the 40th anniversary publication, Adrian Dominican Sisters Portfolio Advisory Board: Celebrating 40 Years of Socially Responsible Investing.