The Canossian Missionary Commemorative Publication

C E L E B R AT I N G 1 2 0 Y E A R S I N S I N G A P O R E

ONE LOVE ONE MISSION

ONE CANOSSIAN

ONE LOVE, ONE MISSION, ONE CANOSSIAN

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CONTENTS p 0 4 ........

C O N G R AT U L AT O RY M E S S A G E S

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A N N I V E R S A RY C E L E B R AT I O N M E S S A G E

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H I S T O RY

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MILESTONES

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E D U C AT I N G W I T H O N E C A N O S S I A N H E A R T B E A T: C H A R I T Y

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C A N O S S I A N E D U C AT I O N

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PROCLAIMING THE GOSPEL: E VA N G E L I S AT I O N

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T H E C A N O S S I A N L AY PA R T N E R S

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PA S T O R A L C A R E O F T H E S I C K

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LOCAL OUTREACH

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OUTREACH BEYOND OUR SHORES

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M U LT I R A C I A L O U T R E A C H

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

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Leopoldo Girelli

“ The experience of prayer in the silence and humility of daily work, in fidelity to the charism of charity will be a great help in fostering the encounter with Christ...”

Apostolic Nuncio to Singapore

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BIOGRAPHY His Excellency, Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli is the current Apostolic Nuncio to Singapore.

Born in Predore in Bergamo, Italy, on 13 March 1953, he was ordained to the priesthood on 17 June 1978.

He entered the diplomatic service of the Holy See in 1987 after attending the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy in Rome and earning the Doctorate Degree in Spiritual Theology and the Licence Degree in Canon Law. He served in the diplomatic missions in Cameroon and New Zealand, and at the Section for General Affairs of the Secretariat of State of the Holy See, and in the Apostolic Nunciature in the United States.

In 2006, Pope Benedict XVI appointed him Apostolic Nuncio to Indonesia and East Timor.

On 13 January 2011, Archbishop Girelli was appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Singapore, Apostolic Delegate to Malaysia and Brunei, and Pontifical Representative for Vietnam.

On 18 June 2011, he was appointed as the first Apostolic Nuncio to the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN).

n this joyous occasion of the 120th anniversary of the first Canossian missionaries’ arrival in Singapore, I would like to send my congratulations and greetings to the Provincial Leader, Sr. Theresa Seow, and to the Canossian Daughters of Charity (FdCC) in Singapore and Myanmar.

I wish to express my spiritual closeness to the Canossians, giving them an impetus to their mission. The contribution of the whole Church is essential to spread the Gospel.

In this spirit and in the awareness of the concern for missionary service in the Church in Asia, I hope that the missionary vocations of the Canossians will continue to develop, following the tradition of their Congregation in the past century.

May the Lord instil in the hearts of many young people in Asia, the desire to give of themselves, without counting the cost, to proclaim the salvation brought by Christ.

On this anniversary, therefore, while recalling past experiences, the Canossians can discover from experience, the signs of the living God who accompanies them since their arrival in Singapore on 11 December 1894 to take charge of St. Anthony’s Girls’ School. During these 120 years of presence in Singapore, the Canossians have established two Primary Schools and a Secondary School, two Kindergartens, a School for the Hearing Impaired children and a Children’s Home.

These last two entities were evolved from the “Fatima Home” started by the Sisters to house the deaf, blind and orphans of war in the 1940s.

Furthermore, they opened a Sewing Centre to give skills and occupation to girls with learning difficulties, being involved in the various parishes, visiting the lonely in housing estates and in prisons, having

a Wellness Centre that offers alternative treatment, and running two nursing homes.

Indeed the Canossians could not have done so much if their mission has not been blessed by the Lord.

In this regard, it would be good to remember in particular the words that Pope Francis said in his homily of February 2, 2014: “Jesus comes to us in the Church through the charism of an Institute: it is nice to think of our vocation in this way!

Our encounter with Christ took shape in the Church through the charism of one of her witnesses. This always amazes us and makes us give thanks”.

The experience of prayer in the silence and humility of daily work, in fidelity to the charism of charity will be a great help in fostering the encounter with Christ and in undertaking the mission of the implicit or explicit proclamation of the Gospel.

The profound love of the Canossians for their Foundress, St. Magdalene of Canossa, who accompanies them with motherly tenderness, will also be a great help. To her I entrust this anniversary so that her intercession may strengthen the Canossians in their mission in and with the Church, with a spirit of communion without reservation, making a gift of their own charism to others (cf. 1 Cor 14: 12), and witnessing in the first place to the greatest charism which is charity (cf. 1 Cor 13).

Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli Apostolic Nuncio

William Goh Archbishop of Singapore

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BIOGRAPHY

y dear Sisters of the Canossian Daughters of Charity (FdCC), it is with deep gratitude and thanksgiving to God that I congratulate you on your celebration of 120 years of your mission in Singapore.

Since the arrival of the first Canossian missionaries in Singapore in 1894, your community has touched the lives of thousands, moulding generations in the virtues of the Christian faith.

Most Rev Archbishop William Goh Seng Chye, D.D., S.T.L. (June 25, 1957) is the fourth and current Archbishop of Singapore. Archbishop Goh succeeded Archbishop Emeritus Nicholas Chia as Archbishop of Singapore on 18 May 2013. Archbishop Goh is the fourth and current Rector of St. Francis Xavier Major Seminary in Singapore. He was ordained as a priest on May 1, 1985 by the late Archbishop Gregory Yong at the Church of the Holy Family.

“...your community has touched the lives of thousands, moulding generations in the virtues of the Christian faith.”

From providing education and skills training to housing and caring for the sick and the orphaned, you have made a large and indelible mark on our Singapore society.

Today, many of your establishments, such as St. Anthony’s Convent, Canossa Convent Primary School, Canossaville Children’s Home, St. Joseph’s Home for the Aged and Villa Francis Home, are household names. I am proud of you, not just because of the large footprint you have embedded in our soil, but more so because you have been the face of Christ to all those whose lives you have touched, “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you made me welcome, lacking clothes and you clothed me, sick and you visited me, in prison and you came to see me.” (Matt 25:35-36)

Indeed, you have been true to the spirit of your Foundress, St. Magdalene of Canossa, serving the poor in charity and in humility.

As Singapore prepares to celebrate 50 years of nation-building next year, it is only fitting that we commend you, your friends and benefactors for untiringly giving of yourselves and your resources to our people. I salute the evangelical spirit of your early missioners in the community, their sacrifices and the examples of faith, fortitude, perseverance and most of all, their love and compassion for the people – hallmarks of Christian discipleship which we can all emulate.

On this happy occasion, I thank you for all that you have done for the Church in Singapore, and the good works that you continue to do. We are eternally grateful to you for your invaluable presence and

mission in our archdiocese. May the Lord bless you bountifully and may His Spirit continue to guide you in all that you do and may you bear much fruit. May you have many vocations so that your mission of proclaiming Christ’s compassion to the poor can continue.

Devotedly in Christ,

Archbishop William Goh Archbishop of Singapore

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Sr. Anna Maria Babbini Congregational Leader (2014 - 2020)

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earest Sisters, it is a great joy for me to reach you through this special issue of your Province magazine for the 120th Anniversary of Foundation of the Canossian Mission in Singapore, to express my warm and cordial congratulations to each one of you who has served and today still serve the people of Singapore with much love and care in your various ministries of charity.

I would like to express special appreciation to the many Missionary Sisters who, leaving behind their homes and loved ones, have come to Singapore and helped St. Anthony’s Province to grow during the past 120 years. May their example of life and generous service encourage many young girls to take up the challenge of responding to God’s call, to continue this mission of love for future generations.

The Canossian world shares with you the joy of your Family Celebration, a sign of charismatic vitality and fidelity, and together we thank God for St. Anthony’s Province.

Celebrating an Anniversary is not just remembering the past but also thanking the Lord for the present reality that each one of you is living. Your Province is a witness to the love and charismatic zeal which we have received as a gift and which was handed down

to us by our Sisters who went before us. It is a manifestation of faithfulness to the call that the Lord makes to us every day, that the Sisters answered from as long ago as 1894 and that still today you are responding to.

Remembering, recalling to one’s memory, is a sign of gratitude, greatness of soul, because it recognizes the good that has been received and allows us to feel the responsibility and the joy of continuing the journey which was initiated many years ago with new strength, new energy and courage to face the challenges that everyday life presents.

The journey of St. Anthony’s Province is also a demonstration of fraternity. The reality, where you are present today, is the fruit of activities which were carried out by our first Sisters and are now carried on by you. It is the fruit of the collaboration of the Sisters who, in spite of differences of age, gifts, origin, knew how to cooperate and build together. I would like to thank you for the ministries that you are carrying out.

You have been faithfully involved in the education of the little ones as well as those of the Secondary level, the ones with disabilities such as hearing impairment, slow learners and children from disadvantaged homes. You look after the sick and the elderly with much

love and care, even in the hospice centre for the terminally ill. You lovingly support them right to the very end when the Lord will take them home peacefully, working in close collaboration with lay people, in equal partnership in decision-making and planning.

For this reason, I want to congratulate you and encourage you to continue. This is the path we must tread today.

I am impressed by the learning journey to our Mother House at Verona that takes place every two years, in which the staff from your Schools and your Homes feel and experience very deeply the spirit of Magdalene. This is one concrete sign of your systematic animation and formation of the lay staff, both spiritually and charismatically. It shows your zeal and passion in fulfilling the vision of Magdalene to make Jesus known and loved, and stresses your love for Magdalene and your desire to make her loved. Your Mission in Myanmar shows your missionary zeal coming from your missionary call, a characteristic of our Charism. It is a sign of your response to the new needs of today which is highly recommended by our Mother Foundress,

“...it shows your zeal and passion in fulfilling the vision of Magdalene to make Jesus known” St. Magdalene, who urged us to constantly move with the signs of the time. All the activities that you carry out are possible and enriched because you are working in close collaboration with lay people in creating One Love, One Mission and One Canossian Family. This is the style that our Foundress used from the beginning.

Congratulations, once again, be joyful and prophetic witnesses of the Lord. May God bless you each one and all and may Mary the Virgin Mother, our Patroness and true “Foundress of our Institute”, lead us always to the fore, spurning evil and promoting what is good! Together with Magdalene, I and my Councillors thank you once again.

Sr. Anna Maria Babbini Congregational Leader

Sr. Margaret Peter Congregational Leader (2008 - 2014)

“ The thousands of young persons who have passed through the portals of Canossian Institutions are a tangible sign of the efficacy of the service rendered by our Sisters.”

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ear Sr. Theresa and all the Sisters, let us remember with joy and gratitude to God our first Canossian missionaries who arrived in Singapore on 11 Dec 1894 from Macau.

As genuine daughters of St. Magdalene of Canossa, our Sisters continued to keep alive and aglow the flame of Charity in the details of their lives of dedication and service during the past 120 years in this small and vibrant land. God be praised in His faithful love and grace that He showered on each Canossian Sister who has been part of this beautiful mission.

I wish you Hearty Congratulations dear Sisters and prayerful greetings on this very happy occasion. I pray that this celebration provide an added impetus to continue our presence and service with renewed focus and energy.

The long and praiseworthy history of our presence in Singapore bears witness to the openness, creativity, versatility and proactive spirit of our Sisters and collaborators. With the noble vision of human promotion and development our Sisters have joined hands with many like-minded lay partners in establishing and administering many educational institutions to cater to the divergent needs of the society. The thousands of young persons who have passed through the portals of Canossian Institutions are a tangible sign of the efficacy of the service rendered by our Sisters.

I rejoice with you dear Sisters for all the marvels He had done in and through each of you. I consider it a privilege to have known you and shared your enthusiasm for being committed Canossians. I remember with joy the fact that you have reached out to Malaysia, Myanmar and your openness to be of service even in other parts of Asia and the world at large.

During my visits to Singapore and Myanmar, I have noted with joy the active collaboration and support that many lay persons offer us in making our service efficient and fruitful. I take this occasion to express my appreciation and thanks to each of our Lay Canossians, alumni, friends, priests, Sisters and benefactors.

It is with great joy and gratitude to God that I wish you abundance of heavenly blessings to continue being an efficacious Canossian presence in Singapore, Myanmar and wherever His guiding Spirit will lead you to, in the coming years for the sake of God’s kingdom.

One in His name and love,

Sr. Margaret Peter Former Congregational Leader (2008-2014)

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Mdm Halimah Yacob Member of Parliament for Jurong GRC

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et me first congratulate the Canossian Daughters of Charity as you celebrate the 120th year of your presence in Singapore. As you celebrate this milestone, the Canossian Sisters can most certainly look back with great satisfaction at your many achievements in taking care of the needy and the sick in our society, covering a broad spectrum of people from the children to the aged. I have had the opportunity to visit both the Canossaville Children’s Home and the St. Joseph’s Home for the Aged and was very impressed with the love, compassion and care given to those who need help in our society. The work of the Sisters is exemplary and has benefited many Singaporeans. The Canossian Sisters, together with many other community groups, play an important role in supporting our government to help build a more inclusive and caring society.

“The Canossian Sisters, together with many other community groups, play an important role in supporting our government to help build a more inclusive and caring society.”

I must also commend the Canossian Sisters and, in particular, Sister Theresa, for yet another important role that they have played in our society. Sister Theresa has been very active in promoting religious harmony through her participation in the Inter-Religious Organisation, IRO, which she even chaired at one time, and which is represented by all the major faiths in Singapore. We are aware of the many conflicts that are happening around the world leading to loss of lives and untold suffering among people of different faiths.

We have been fortunate to enjoy religious and racial harmony in Singapore for many years. This did not come naturally but is a conscious effort on the part of the government, supported by the leaders of the different faiths, to ensure that there is understanding and respect for each other which laid the foundation for healthy and peaceful co-existence. Only when there is peace, then it is possible for each one of us to truly practise our own faith.

In conclusion I, once again, wish our Canossian Sisters a Happy 120th Anniversary and I am sure that you will continue with your great charitable work with the same passion and compassion that you have shown all these years.

Mdm Halima Yacob MP for Jurong GRC Speaker of Parliament

Gerard Ee President Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants

“ In the concrete jungle of Singapore where life is mainly centred on economic progress we are blessed by the continuing existence of the Canossian Sisters and their works.”

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ear Sisters, 120 years is a very long time in human terms. Moses lived for 120 years and it took 120 years before the Israelites entered the Promise Land.

Indeed it is a cause for celebration because in the 120 years here thousands of lives in Singapore have been touched by the Grace of God and were introduced to His Great Love by the Sisters.

Saint Magdalene of Canossa said “Let us pray and God will do the rest.” In my association with the Sisters I have learnt to be prayerful. It has greatly influenced my life and I do all things prayerfully trusting in the Lord. I am very sure that everyone who has ever encountered a Canossian Sister would have been influenced to be more prayerful. The Sisters have indeed brought thousands to the Lord by their faithful observation of the ethos established

by Mother Foundress.

We are all impoverished by being disconnected from God and the Sisters from their acts of love have helped so many of us reconnect to God and be once again nourished by His grace and love. In the concrete jungle of Singapore

where life is mainly centred on economic progress we are blessed by the continuing existence of the Canossian Sisters and their works. Children are being formed, adults reconnected to God and the dying found peace.

As the Canossian Daughters of Charity extend their outreach to the region I pray that more will be drawn to join their ranks. I pray that all individuals will lend them their support. God’s call to evangelise is made to all. The Sisters have committed their life to serving the Lord fully. The rest of us should at the very least be there to support the Sisters in their mission.

I pray that the Canossian Daughters of Charity of Singapore will continue to grow in numbers and be the formidable bulwark in spreading the Good News to people in Singapore and the region. 120 years is a great milestone. Just as the Sisters from Macau came to Singapore 120 years ago to bless us with their works our Sisters are now reaching out to the region. Mother Foundress must be smiling and may she intercede for God’s continued blessings for our Sisters.

Gerard Ee

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Friar John Wong OFM President of the Conference of Religious Major Superiors in Malaysia-Singapore-Brunei

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“Those who are weighed down by sickness, and the others who are wearied because of the sick, all of you: bear it in peace; for you will sell this fatigue at a very high price and each one of you will be crowned queen in heaven with the Virgin Mary.”

y dearest Sisters, May the Lord give you Peace! Congratulations on this celebration of 120 Years of Canossian love and mission, born of Christ crucified, the Greatest Love of all.

Charity, the love of God fully expressed in Christ crucified, was the inspiring motive of St. Magdalene of Canossa and the passion behind her ministry of evangelisation. As her daughters, you tirelessly share the true life that Jesus brings through your varied ministries which include education, faith formation, holistic human development, and care for children, the poor, the suffering, the marginalised, the sick and the infirm.

St. Francis of Assisi once addressed a Canticle of Exhortation to St. Clare and her Sisters, writing, “Those who are weighed down by sickness, and the others who are wearied because of the sick, all of you: bear it in peace; for you will sell this fatigue at a very high price and each one of you will be crowned queen in heaven with the Virgin Mary.”

Just as St. Magdalene was a woman of noble birth who ardently desired to live in service among her “beloved poor”, so too you are daughters and spouses of the Most High King, who address yourselves to people from all walks of life, most of all to those who yearn most to encounter the love and compassion of Jesus.

Just as St. Josephine Bakhita gave thanks for the whole of her life as God’s gift, so too, we give thanks for the gift that you yourselves are, my dearest Sisters, to our local Church.

On behalf of the Conference of Religious Major Superiors in MalaysiaSingapore-Brunei, I wish you a happy anniversary and many grace-filled years ahead of, above all, making Jesus known and loved. May God continue to kindle the fire in your hearts and inspire your mission with his love.

Peace and all Good.

Your brother,

Friar John Wong OFM President Conference of Religious Major Superiors in Malaysia-Singapore-Brunei

Hong Kong To our dear Canossian Sisters of Singapore, How the years have flown by, and the Province of St. Anthony has already reached its 120th Anniversary of Foundation of its Mission in this beautiful City, indeed, a story of gratitude and joyful commitment, of total and unfailing trust in the One who sends! Our sincere and warm congratulations, not just for the perseverance of these past 120 years, but for all that has been lived and experienced between 1894 and 2014! From scratch until today, you have been forming the hearts and minds of generations of young girls and ladies, caring for the elderly, the sick and prisoners, and involving actively in many social and religious activities especially among the less privileged, in close collaboration with the local Church and the laity.

May this spirit of love and service be continued by the Sisters in the years to come, together with our dedicated Lay Canossians, collaborators, benefactors and beneficiaries who have assimilated this Spirit of Charity and Service. Without the loving assistance of God’s grace and the devotion of so many friends, today’s anniversary of thanksgiving would not be at all a possibility! All our Sisters of the Province of Regina Martyrum of Hong Kong-Macau wish each of you a very happy and fruitful continuation of God’s Project of Love in the Mission of Singapore for many more decades, for the Glory of God! Ad multos annos!

Sr. Cynthia Chan Provincial Leader Province of “Regina Martyrum”

Malaysia Dear Sr. Theresa Seow and all the Sisters of St. Anthony’s Province, My heartfelt congratulations on the occasion of the 120th Anniversary of your Mission in Singapore!

I rejoice with you in praises and thanksgiving to the Lord for the wonders He has worked through your faithful outreach both in Singapore and Myanmar all these years. Many have come to know and love Jesus and experienced His healing love through your ministries. So let us “Sing the glory of His name, and give to Him glorious praise” (Ps 66).

May the seeds you have sown and harvested continue to grow and flourish a hundredfold for we shall always have with us those who hunger for the Word of God and in constant need of God’s healing love. So we wish you many more years of dedicated service in the spirit of the Canossian charism for the good of the people you serve! May the Lord also enrich you with more young ‘workers’ to serve Him in His vineyard! Wishes of all the Canossian Sisters of Malaysia!

Sr. Mary Tey Provincial Leader Province of “Mater Dei”

Timor Leste Dear Sr. Theresa and Sisters of Singapore Province, Our two Provinces have journeyed together as delegation in certain times in the history. Thank you to the pioneer Sisters whose zeal to make Jesus known and loved, had with courage travelled to our part of the world. From the Sisters of Singapore we experience solidarity in the times when Timor was cut from the world with Sisters such as Flora Rodrigues and Sr. Elizabeth Yeo. Today we thank the Singapore Sisters for welcoming our Sisters among your communities to improve and explore other aspects of Canossian life, another culture as well as English. Our Congratulations to the Province of St. Anthony’s 120th Anniversary.

Sr. Guilhermina Marçal Provincial Leader Province of “S. Giuseppe”

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Australia

Sr. Ersilia Casiraghi Provincial Leader Province of “S.Teresa di Gesu”

Dear Sr. Theresa and Sisters of the Province of Singapore and Myanmar, It is with deep joy and gratitude to God that, on behalf of the Sisters of Australia, I come to offer you our heartfelt congratulations as you celebrate the 120th Anniversary of the arrival of the first Canossian Daughters of Charity in Singapore and the beginning of the Canossian mission in that country (11December 1894). Over the years the number of Sisters grew and the mission developed and expanded and we too had the privilege of sharing part of your journey. From 1950 to 1966 the Canossian mission in Australia, which at that time was only one year old, became part of the new Delegation of Singapore-Malaysia-EastTimor-Australia. It was towards the end of that period that we also shared and benefited in having a combined Novitiate in Brisbane (1962-1966).

To our congratulations we want to add our grateful prayer for the great love and sacrifices that brought many spiritual and human fruits to the people of Singapore and beyond. May God bless you with generous vocations and may his blessings accompany you throughout this year of celebration and in the years to come. Through your life and service may you continue to be a sign of God’s love and care for his people.

Philippines - Papua New Guinea Dear Sr. Theresa & Sisters of the Province of St. Anthony, Celebrating with you on your 120 years of serving the Lord with gladness and fidelity to the mission, “making Jesus known and loved”. Joining you in thanking the Lord and with you, we echo, “Great is Thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see. All I have needed Thy hand hath provided; Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!” (T.O. Chisholm 1923).

Sharing the legacy from St. Magdalene of Canossa, we put our hearts together in prayer, that your Province-Singapore and Myanmar may be enriched with God’s perpetual blessings and through His loving kindness be transformed to be of one heart and mind. Our best wishes and warm greetings.

Sr. Glecy Manuyag Provincial Leader Province of “Sacred Heart”

Japan Dear Sisters and Canossian Family Members of Singapore and Myanmar, It gives me great pleasure to be able to share with you all in this moment of rejoicing and thanksgiving. 120 years! A simple sounding number but a number that contains untold graces, joys, sorrows, sacrifices and above all the untiring love of God and the faithful response to that love. On behalf of all the Sisters of this Province, our lay partners, teachers, students and families I send you congratulations and prayers for many more fruitful years of making Jesus known and loved.

Sr. Marguerite Dawborne Provincial Leader Province of “S. Michele Arcangelo”

ONE LOVE, ONE MISSION, ONE CANOSSIAN

India Center Dear Sr. Theresa Seow and Sisters, Greetings of Sisterly love and peace! It is indeed a milestone in the History of our Institute, that your Province of St. Anthony, in Singapore, celebrates, ‘A hundred and twenty years’ of a vibrant Canossian Presence.“Congratulations” from all of us in the Province of St. Francis Xavier, India-Centre.

Coincidentally, we are celebrating our ‘hundred and twenty-five years’ of Canossian Life too.

God be praised!

We wish you and your Sisters, the blessings and graces of the Lord, that this celebration opens up for you – new hopes, new dreams and newer horizons, to make Jesus known and loved among your people. May you experience New Life in every sphere of your Canossian Calling. We share your joy and enthusiasm and offer you our sisterly love and closeness all through the celebration of this great event.

Congratulations dear Sisters on the Occasion of the celebration of 120 years of Canossian presence in the service of the Lord and His people in Singapore! God be praised! You have indeed touched many hearts and shared the Charism with the people of the land. The collaboration from the laity, the presence of the Lay Canossians is a clear sign that every one appreciates the Charism and the Spirit of the Institute. We, the Sisters of India North, pray that the coming years be years of greater dedication, and deeper involvement to the cause of the poor and flourishing of new vocations.

Sr. Maggie Mathew Provincial Leader Province of “St. Francis Xavier”

North

Sr.Elizabeth Thottumari Provincial Leader Province of “Queen of Peace”

South With great pleasure I pen a few lines on the occasion of 120 Anniversary of the Canossian missionary journey of St. Antony Province, Singapore. My heart fills with joy and gratitude as I see the miracle of love along the pathways of proclamation of the Good News in this region of our Institute. All those feet that followed in the footsteps of St. Magdalene “to make Jesus known and loved” are remembered with a prayer as we raise our hearts in praise and adoration to God. The missionary zeal of St. Magdalene which is contagious is alive and open even today through the ministries carried out by the Sisters, satisfying the pressing demands of the marginalized and of those who live in the periphery.

“Charity is a fire that spreads out to embrace all.” May this fire of love keep burning with the freshness of the Spirit, seeking GOD ALONE as you trod the new path to live and witness the joy of the Gospel. May these celebrations bring new energy, new enthusiasm and new hope in the days ahead.

We Canossians join hands in ONE LOVE AND ONE MISSION .

Sr. Jertrude Michael Provincial Leader Province of “Mary Immaculate”

Indonesia Dear Sisters, We joyfully join you in celebrating 120 years of Canossian presence in Singapore. Together with you we raise our hearts in gratitude to God for all the graces he has bestowed on St. Anthony’s Province in all these years. At a moment like this we remember with gratitude the pioneering Sisters who first set out and set foot on Singapore soil. Their courage and persistence has enabled so many who followed them, to make Magdalene’s dream of making Jesus known and loved a reality in this part of Asia.

Jubilee Greetings to each of you, dear Sisters, and all your collaborators as you celebrate this event. Ad Multos Annos. United in the same mission to make Jesus known and loved.

Sr. Iolanda Vezzoli, Provincial Leader Province of “Divine Mercy” ONE LOVE, ONE MISSION, ONE CANOSSIAN

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Sr. Theresa Seow Provincial Leader

“ The smallness of Singapore works to our advantage; we are able to live in union and mutual charity…with one heart, one will, loving each other sincerely and without any distinction.”

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his commemorative magazine is an expression of gratitude to God for His blessings on our Province in the past 120 years. We see God’s love for this humble Institute as the present generation remembers and connects with the past. We are truly grateful for those who have gone before us. Each Sister had served lovingly and ministered joyfully for His kingdom.

God has always come first for them. Yes, God Alone! The smallness of Singapore works to our advantage; we are able to live in union and mutual charity…with one heart, one will, loving each other sincerely and without any distinction. We continue the journey envisioned by Magdalene, motivated by One Love, to serve the One Mission and grow as One Canossian.

One Love St. Magdalene of Canossa (MdC) the Foundress, M. Luigia Grassi the initiator and promoter of the Mission worldwide, and St. Bakhita, the slave turned saint, have one thing in common - their belief in the double precept of love: love for God and love for humanity. Totally open to the mysterious action of the Holy Spirit, their hearts were molded by the conviction of the Father’s love for the entire human race.

Called to contemplate Jesus Crucified, they discovered His complete and supreme offering of Himself on the Cross so that we will be saved.

The Sisters are prompted by the same spirit - that of the Greatest Love. This love continues to inspire many women and men, religious and lay, from all walks of life.

Each person is invited to contemplate God Alone and to serve joyfully so that above all Jesus may be made known and loved.

One Mission Canossians worldwide followed Magdalene, joined the Institute in the “gratuitous instruction of poor girls, visits and assistance to sick women in the hospitals and teaching of Christian doctrine”. Each was drawn by an inspiration…a dream and thus the mission grew steadily. It began from Pavia to Hongkong and then to different parts of the world including Singapore in 1894.

Priority is always to mold the young with a special passion for the poor, the marginalized and the abandoned. Even in very challenging circumstances, the mission of “making Jesus known and loved” remains the focus. “There is no act of charity towards our neighbor more perfect than that of helping him love God and helping him to know how much he is loved by God” (MdC).

Our Foundress reminds us to discern and read the signs of the time in every age and every place. In 1995, after a process of discernment we went to Yangon and Taunggyi and were invited to offer formation to the religious as well as zetamans or the young evangelizers.

Now there is a community of Sisters in the Formation House and Canossa Home in Yangon and Thanlyn respectively, serving thirteen dioceses in Myanmar in a wide range of ministries.

One Canossian Today, the charism of Magdalene continues to inspire many women and men.

Through the Spirit of the Greatest Love, Sisters and lay people work in collaborative partnership to witness God’s love not only in the ministries but also through their

personal lives: to live as Canossians in every way.

This magazine will give the reader an insight into the growth of different branches of the Association of the Lay Canossian in partnership with the Sisters in different ministries, locally and abroad.

Though expressions may be different, there is only one Spirit and one charism.

We belong to the One Canossian family.

The number of Sisters may be small but the mission is growing. To support the ministries of charity, Canossa Mission Singapore, a separate entity to serve those who falls through the social safety net provided for by the government, has been set up to serve “our beloved poor”.

On behalf of my Sisters, I take the occasion of this 120th celebration to thank you for your love, belief and support. We also entrust the Lay Canossian family to your prayers that together we may focus only on building God’s kingdom. In close partnership with the local Church and religious congregations, may our communion be a sign of our faith in Jesus Christ. In whatever we do, may we serve the poor and needy with love and respect for their dignity regardless of race, creed and religion.

Sr. Theresa Seow Provincial Leader Province of “St. Anthony” Singapore-Myanmar

1969 – 1990

5

1991 – 2014

5

Vice Provincials

Provincial Leaders

St. Anthony’s Vice Province

Province of St. Anthony’s

1950 – 1966

3

Delegates St. Anthony’s Delegation

1837 – 1950

2

1969–1972

1991–1996

M. Angela Confalonieri

Sr. Rosalia Yeo

Regional Vicars St. Anthony’s Region

1894 – 1936

6

1973–1979

1996 –2002

M. Carla Manzoni

Sr. Janet Wang

1979–1983

2002–2009

M. Carmen Dengah

Sr. Anne Tan

Primary Superiors Primary House of Macau

OUR PROVINCIAL LEADERS who accompanied us through 5 phases

1983–1984

2009–2012

M. Janet Wang

Sr. Marilyn Lim

1984–1990

2012–Present

M. Natalia Tasca

Sr. Theresa Seow

ONE LOVE, ONE MISSION, ONE CANOSSIAN

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H I S T O RY

THE CANOSSIAN “MISSIONARY WAVE” IN ASIA

Sisters of Sisters of St. Anthony’s Convent

L

ife flows on as we associate events in terms of months and years that have gone by with its ups and downs. Now we, the Canossian Family in Singapore celebrate the gift of 120 years of loving service to God and nation, and beyond our island state.

• The birth of a new mission in Singapore in response to the request of the Archbishop of Macau in 1894

We remember the happy times, the sad times, the many events that have marked our history since 11 December 1894 when four pioneer Sisters set foot on our sunny Singapore Island.

• The flowering of the ministries of charity: education, evangelization and healthcare in fidelity to the burning zeal of St. Magdalene: “I wish to be reduced to dust…”

120 years is a long time – marked by significant milestones which we hope to capture in these pages, among which are: • Two World Wars that saw missionaries being expelled from China and dispersed to other Asian countries

• The formation of the Province of St. Anthony in 1969 with the promise of new vocations

Pause a while and reflect on the meaning of these precious years – who we are, why we are here, where we are now, where we are going into the future and how to remain ever faithful to the call of the creative Spirit just as he called the 6 pioneers to Singapore.

We are Canossians – inspired by our Foundress, St. Magdalene of Canossa, to contemplate Christ on the Cross, the faithful Son of God, and to bring that humble and most generous love to the nations.

We have been part of the Canossian missionary “wave” during which Italian missionaries landed in Hong Kong (1860), just some 50 years since its first foundation in Verona in 1808, followed

by Hupeh, China (1868), Macau (1874), Timor Leste (1879), India (1889), Singapore (1894), Malaysia (1905), Australia (1949), Japan (1951), Philippines (1954), Indonesia (1989).

1808

ITALY

1951

JAPAN 1874

MACAU 1889

INDIA

2013

1860

MYANMAR

HONG KONG

1954

PHILIPPINES

1992

1905

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

1894

MALAYSIA

SINGAPORE

1989

INDONESIA

1879

EAST TIMOR

1949

AUSTRALIA

Today, in our fast-paced world, with many clamouring for our attention, we seek some time to step back, to see things more clearly, to evaluate and reassess our priorities. Uppermost in our mind is that God has first called us, loved us, commissioned us and inflamed our hearts with courage to say, “Yes, Lord, here I am, I come to do your will.”

As the following pages will reveal, through the process of growth, God’s limitless power and faithfulness has enabled us to grow as ONE CANOSSIAN family – a sturdy tree that has spread its branches in the multiform expressions of the One Charism and One Mission – to share God’s love, grace and goodness, faith and forgiveness, in the web of human everyday life.

{

“Yes, Lord, here I am, I come to do your will.”

}

ONE LOVE, ONE MISSION, ONE CANOSSIAN

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H I S T O RY

GROWTH OF THE CANOSSIAN MISSION IN ASIA-OCEANIA (1860-2014)

We are grateful in this Thanksgiving celebration, above all, for our many spiritual MOTHERS who have preceded us, given the best years of their life, to nurture the Province of St. Anthony. Among the many, we remember: Mother Vittoria Garre’ | Mother Ada Nardi | Mother Teresa Franquelli| Mother Nedda Buratti Mother Angelica de Piazza | Mother Rose Baio | Mother Angela Confalonieri

Mother Vittoria Garre’

Mother Ada Nardi

They distinguished themselves as “mothers” who loved and risked their lives for the mission, gently and humbly collaborating with the Spirit and grooming the mission in Singapore from its first identity as part of the Primary House of Macau in 1895 (including Malacca in 1905), then as part of a Region in 1937, as Delegation in 1950, as Vice-Province in 1969 and finally as a full-fledged Province in 1991. They were spiritual giants who left us a spiritual heritage: zeal, sacrifice, joviality, hard work, resilience, sisterly love and communion, wisdom and foresight. They encouraged the new vocations to pursue further education so as to prepare leaders for the up-and-coming Province, yet never compromising on the demands of community life and mission, especially love for the poor.

What characterises us today as Religious women and sets us apart from the rest of society? The spirit of compassion, simplicity, cheerfulness and warmth

Mother Rose Baio

Mother Angelica de Piazza

and the virtue of humility and charity are the Canossian trademarks that have been embraced by our whole Canossian family – from the leaders right down to the students and residents of our Homes – as they face the struggles of everyday life. We are grateful, too, for the missionary fire burning in our hearts, propelling us to respond, to go beyond our shores, in service of the poorest.

Archbishop Matthias Shwe from Taunggyi, Myanmar invited the Sisters to form the “Little Evangelizers” in his diocese in 1996. Today, we celebrate the birth of our mission in Myanmar with the setting up of the first Canossian community with four Sisters: Angela Ng, Marion Liong, Jacqueline Chin and Joana Da Silva. They are involved in non-formal education, with the formation of young women through the FED (Formation of Educators) programme, youth ministry and formation of candidates to Religious life.

On 8 September 2011, Maria Ja Awn was received as a Canossian postulant in Yangon. To date, the Lord has blessed

Mother Nedda Buratti

Mother Angela Confalonieri

us with one more novice, Antonia Mya Mya Lone and a postulant Heza Zar Zar from Myanmar. Once again, the pioneering spirit of our foremothers has been enkindled.

The poor have always occupied a treasured place in our history; they have been and continue to be both our friends and beneficiaries. They include our vulnerable children, families in difficulty, youth in search of the meaning of life, adults in discernment, the elderly and the sick, prisoners, etc. Through our ministries of charity, the Sisters, together with our Lay Canossian family and lay partners, strive to inculcate this precious quality of the heart, and provide opportunities for our children and students to befriend them and be evangelized by them.

In the post Vatican II Council age of the laity, we have also been blessed with committed Lay Partners in ministry, who have also been fired by the Canossian charism, Humility in Charity

as exemplified by Jesus Crucified on the Cross. To ensure a more systematic formation of our lay staff, the Canossian Charismatic Formation Team was formed in 2010.

God is still walking with us today and leading us in hope into the future and inviting us to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. May we continue to keep the lamp burning and as St. Magdalene urges us, to hand the charism intact and integral, to our future generations.

We dedicate this poem, composed by Sr. Elizabeth Sim, to all our “Pioneers” and Leaders of the Province.

A Call unto unknown, Love that beckons love.

Silent stars and raging seas, Steadfastly – a heart, frightened and free.

Group photo with Archbishop William Goh

Tread silently, tread respectfully, a land both foreign and home.

Meet another as the Other, as mystery would the One. Wings and roots, dreams that fly, Hope that grows deep roots.

Courage and Sacrifice …

Holding and letting go …

Believing that all can grow.

Province Sisters with Mdm Halimah - Easter 2014

Image of wind upon the waters… this their Spirit-led life.

Memory of our heart sings, In Joyful Thanksgiving!

Sr. Elizabeth Sim

Our dear Sisters in Myanmar [from left to right] Sr. Joana Da Silva, Sr. Angela Ng, Sr. Marion Liong and Sr. Jacqueline Chin.

ONE LOVE, ONE MISSION, ONE CANOSSIAN

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MILESTONES

18 94

120 YEARS OF LOVE & SERVICE TO OUR NATION

Four pioneer Canossians set foot on Singapore soil. They arrived by boat from Macau: M.Teresa Rossi; Giustina Sequeira; Matilde Rodrigues; Marietta Porroni; accompanied by M.Teresa Lucian (Superior of Macau) and M.MariaStella (Superior of Hong Kong).

Three days later, they opened St. Anthony’s Convent (SAC) with M. Teresa Rossi as the first Superior.

The Sisters took over the parish school of St. Anthony’s Girls School, which flourished. A year later, the enrolment hit 150.

19 14 First World War centred in Europe.

19 20 Minnie Nunes and her two Sisters became boarders in the Convent when their mother passed away, their aunty was a Canossian sister.

Her Sisters eventually married but Minnie stayed on till her death at the age of 100 in 2007.

19 04 Canossian Novitiate started with local vocations: M. Ermelinda d’Rosario – 1898 M. Augusta Didier – 1899 M. George de Souza – 1906

19 05 18 95

24 May– New foundation in Malacca (Peninsula of Malaya) with 4 Sisters from Macau: M. Luisa Spazzini M. Catherine MacBean M. Felicia Victor M. Ermelinda d’Rosario

19 27 Union of the whole Institute by a Pontifical Decree and the appointment of M. Maria Cipolla as the 1st Superior General of the Canossian Institute.

Fr.J.Baptista, parish priest of St. Joseph’s Church (Portuguese Mission) reported the opening of an orphanage and boarding school with 8 boarders and 5 poor orphans. By 1909, there were 50 orphans.

OUR 1894 JOURNEY BEGAN – 1903

1904

1914

– 1913

– 1929

19 06

The younger ones attended school while older girls helped in household chores and learnt sewing and embroidery to become self- supporting.

18 97 SAC came to be known as “Portuguese Convent” and the Canossian Sisters as “Portuguese Sisters” as opposed to the Holy Infant Convent who were known as “French Convent”.

The Singapore and Straits Directory rectified the name “St Anthony’s Girls’ School” to St. Anthony’s Convent School (Portuguese Mission). The following years saw the building upgraded and the enrolment increased.

19 28 The Portuguese Mission rebuilt St. Anthony’s Convent, demolishing the old to build a new one at the cost of $49,000. It was completed in August 1929.

19 44

19 30 The Singapore & Malacca houses were detached from the Primary House of Macau. SAC became a Primary house and Malacca’s Sacred Heart Convent, her affiliate, with M.Teresa Frisanco as the Mother Primaria.

19 39 From the sale of “Villa Canossa” in Pasir Panjang for $7,000, a down payment was made to purchase a 5.5 acres of land at Aljunied Road at a cost of $11,000. With the help of Fr. Stephen Lee, Canossa Convent was built, after reclaiming the swampy land, which was occupied largely by vegetable farms.

19 40

19 66 19 50 –1966 Singapore, Malaysia, Timor and Australia form one Delegation called the “St Anthony’s Delegation with M. Vittoria Garre as M. Delegate based in Singapore.

19 44 –1945 Japanese occupied the Convent as their military HQ for Geylang district.

The Canossa School was closed.

19 45

19 32 First General Chapter held in the Mother House in Verona. M. Antonietta Monzoni was elected as Mother General.

Apr. 05 – M. Teresina Franguelli, M. Giovannina Lim and M. Teresa Tan with 6 orphans left SAC for Bahau in the Malayan jungle. Without any accommodation (though the Japanese administration promised free land and assistance), they set out to prepare for the next group of 4 Sisters and some 50 girls & 30 boys who arrived on 23 April.

Sept. 12 – Japanese surrendered and the Sisters and children returned from Bahau in October. M. Vittoria Garre appointed as the new Regional Vicar of St. Anthony’s Region.

On Dec. 22, the Novitiate was temporarily started in SAC with novice Ada Nardi and postulant Teresa Tan. It was transferred to Canossa Convent the following year.

19 54 House was set up in Tanjong Pinang, Bintang. 4 Canossians pioneered the new mission: M. Cecilia Regonaschi, M. Luigina Frigo, M. Giovannina Lim and M. Pia Gorza

19 33 Canossian General House was transferred to Rome from Verona.

19 67 M. Mary Tan started the “mobile clinic” to serve the sick in the outlying villages in Jurong, Jalan Kayu and Changi.

19 56 Fatima Home began to specialize in the care of deaf children with M. Angela Garavaglia and M. Helen Fernandez in charge.

19 69

19 41 August 15 – Official opening of Canossa Convent with 4 Sisters, a novice, 4 postulants and 20 orphans.

Dec. 02 – A wooden shed was built by the British Govt to house the Sisters and orphans, leaving the Convent at the disposal of the British militaries and their families evacuated from Katong because of the impending war.

Dec 08 – War started.

Singapore & Malaysia were designated as a new delegation with M. Nedda Buratti as Delegate Superior.

19 46 Sisters put on the white habit in place of the traditional black and brown.

6 Sisters started the community in Segamat on a piece of land donated by the Sultan of Johor. M. Virginia Crimella was the Superior.

Setting up of New Provincial Headquarters and Novitiate at Jalan Merbok, with 9 novices.

19 47 Canossa Convent was registered as a Chinese school with M. Magdalene Lye as principal.

19 48

19 58

The Sultan of Johor gave 25 acres of land in Kluang town. 4 Sisters were sent to start the Convent.

Closing of the SAC orphanage. The remaining orphans were sent to Canossa Convent.

1930

1939

1944

1954

1964

– 1938

– 1943

– 1953

– 1963

– 1973

19 37 St. Anthony’s Primary house was restructured as St. Anthony’s Region under the General Delegate in Kowloon.

19 38 SAC started a Kindergarten to provide shelter and care for 290 children.

19 42 Feb.15 - British surrendered Singapore to the Japanese.

The Japanese occupied Canossa Convent and the Sisters and orphans moved over to SAC as Canossa was deemed unsafe. They returned after 3 weeks. By then, the Japanese had found new premises opposite the Convent. Canossa School started on 12 May under the Japanese administration with 117 pupils.

19 49 12 May – 4 Sisters who were expelled from China arrived: M. Angioletta Arnaboldi, M. Pia Gorza; M. Virginia Crimella, and M. Maria Redaelli

19 61 The Novitiate was transferred to Australia.

19 52 Opening of the Canossa Convent Fatima Home (present Canossaville) for the orphans, the deaf, blind and spastic.

19 43 May 16 – SAC Sisters bought a trishaw for transportation.

19 53 Opening of new wing of SAC facing Victoria Street and Middle Road as a Secondary School.

Nov 10 – Three Sisters, Elizabeth Yeo, Bertilia Lim and Marcellina Fumagalli started a community to minister to the settled families in Jinjang, the outskirt of Kuala Lumpur.

19 73 “Changi Bungalow” at Somapah Road was constituted a new community named “Stella Maris”.

It had a kindergarten and a clinic to serve the villagers there.

19 94

19 76 Sisters started St. Joseph’s Canossian Convent in Gek Poh Rd. In 1979 Catholic Welfare Services built St. Joseph’s Home for the Aged in the same compound and invited Sisters to run it. Prioneers were Sr. Elizabeth Yeo, Sr. Mary Tan and Sr. Maria Teresa Rizzetti.

19 85 A 16-bed inpatient Hospice for the terminally ill was started at St. Joseph’s Home for the Aged.

19 88

1st Jan. - Malaysia became a separate Province with Sr. Esther Thomazios as the first Provincial.

On 11 Dec 1994, the Centenary Celebrations began with a Thanksgiving Mass at St. Joseph’s Church, Victoria Street. It was also on this day that SAC bade good-bye to 111 Middle Road and moved to its new premise at Bedok North Ave 4, exactly a hundred years after the first missionaries came to Singapore.

Canonization of our Foundress, St. Magdalene of Canossa.

20 06 The contemplative experience of Domus Mariae which started in Philippines was re-located to Canossian Formation House, Singapore.

20 07 Canossian Formation Studies Centre was established to help Sisters from other Asian Provinces who needed proficiency courses in the English language. The first batch of 3 Sisters was welcomed to Canossian Formation House.

20 08 19 96

19 79 Invited by Archbishop Gregory Yong, 4 Sisters pioneered a pastoral community at the Nativity Church Centre in Lorong Low Koon, Sr.s Janet Wang, Catherine Wong, Joy Shelley and Maria Rossoni. They also took charge of the parish kindergarten.

Canossaville Convent community was set up at the old Fatima Home in Canossa Convent. This community runs the Children’s Home, the Kindergarten, HELP Family Centre, and a Before-and-After School Care Centre.

19 89 The Novitiate community relocated from Jalan Merbok to the newlycompleted Canossian Formation House at 4 Lorong Low Koon, next to the Nativity Church Centre.

19 92 Canossaville Children’s Home replaced Fatima Home to respond to ‘new types of poverty’ - latch key children and children from the dysfunctional families. HELP Family Service was started to minister to the bereaved and widows.

After 2 years of site searching, the Sisters, teachers and students of SAC finally assembled in Bedok Ave 4 for the ground breaking ceremony. The site was chosen in response to the educational needs of the eastern section of Singapore.

Outreach to Myanmar for the formation of young evangelizers.

The Province celebrated the 200th Anniversary of the Canossian Institute with a Mass presided by Archbishop Nicholas Chia at St. Stephen’s Church.

2008 also saw the launch of the Apostolic Group in Myanmar, in a rented house at 5 U Kyaw Hla St. in Yangon, with pioneers Sr.s Angela,

20 14 A year of Thanksgiving & Renewal as we celebrate our Province 120th Anniversary Feb.28: Our Schools kicked off the 120th Anniversary celebration on Canossian Saints Day, in the spirit of the early missionaries.

Pupils packing goody bags and delivering them to low income residents.

Serving lunch to the residents of Blk.42 Circuit Rd.

19 98 An apostolic group of 2 Sisters, Christina Yeo and Doreen Soh, started as witnesses to fraternal living and simple lifestyle among the poor in Woodlands.

19 99 Canossian School for the Hearing Impaired re-located to Sallim Road to provide full integration at Canossa Convent Primary School. The two Schools, together with Canossaville Children’s Home, Magdalene KG and Canossa Convent formed the “Canossian Eduplex” .

20 10 Marion and a lay volunteer, Selvathi.

SAC community at 1604 Bedok closed its doors and gave up its premises to the 2 SAC schools.

Sisters were transferred to other communities.

Sr. Theresa Seow & Sr. Elizabeth Sim attended the XVI General Chapter held in Rome in April-May. Sr. Annamaria Babbini was elected the new Superior General with Sr. Anne Tan as her Vicar.

Aug 15. St. Anthony’s Canossian Schools celebrated their 135th Anniversary.

20 12 Official opening of Canossian Wellness Centre to provide holistic and alternative care for the sick.

1974

1984

1994

2004

2014

– 1983

– 1993

– 2003

– 2013

– Present

The Official opening of Canossa Home in Thanlyn, Myanmar on 26 July for the orphans and the formation of educators (FEDs).

The school was first started in 1879

by Fr Jose Pedro de S.Anna Cunha with just 6 poor pupils.

19 80 The School for the Deaf closed its residential facilities. The premises were re-furbished as a Retreat Centre to cater to the spiritual needs of the Archdiocese.

Joyville – Sr. Carmen Dengah, then Provincial, initiated an “open-house community” in Highland Road - to provide a more open and gradual personalized formation for Postulants and pre-Postulants. In the course of the years, the community welcomed many young women seeking discernment of their vocation.

19 93 Aug 31 – Sisters moved into the new premises of St. Joseph’s Home in Upper Jurong Road. Sr. Geraldine Tan pioneered the palliative care for the terminally ill patients in the Hospice wing.

20 00 Canonization of St. Josephine Bakhita, our Universal Sister, by Pope John Paul II.

20 13 20 02 XIV General Chapter in Rome saw Sr. Marie Remedios from Hong Kong being elected the first non-Italian Congregational Leader.

A 4-room flat was purchased at Bedok Ave 4 for Sisters who are ministering to the two SAC schools.

Sep 27. Canossian Singapore Province celebrated 120th Anniversary with a Thanksgiving Mass at St. Joseph’s Church, and a Seminar at 111 Middle Road, where the first missionaries landed and stayed. It was St. Anthony’s Convent for a hundred years since 1894. It is now the National Design Centre.

{

In a dream, Magdalene saw the Blessed Virgin Mary bringing the Sisters to the three branches of charity, ‘Education, Evangelization, Care of the Sick’. With that, Magdalene added two more branches, ‘Formation of Lay Leaders’ and ‘Spiritual Exercises’.

}

E D U C A T I N G W I T H O N E C A N O S S I A N H E A R T B E A T: C H A R I T Y

Educating with one Canossian heartbeat:

Charity

The spirit of St. Magdalene continues to inspire our Formal and Non-Formal Educational efforts in Singapore in the past 120 years. Every educational project offered in our Kindergartens, Primary and Secondary Schools, Canossian School for Hearing Impaired and Canossaville Children’s Home is aimed at “the greatest CHARITY” which, in the words of St. Magdalene herself, is that of “making Jesus known and loved”.

A 01

ll Canossian students, whether today or in the past, are consistently trained in the “formation of the heart”, cultivating a sense of gratitude and spirit of prayer. This is evident every day at the end of classes, when “Thank you and may God bless you everyday!”, perhaps more loudly in the Primary School, but nonetheless, is still a standard greeting in the Secondary School.

Through the 120 years, the distinctive characteristic of the Canossian educator and graduate remains:

02

• Respect for and commitment to uphold the dignity of each person, especially the disadvantaged, • Compassion, a readiness to walk the extra mile and • Cheerfulness and encouraging support for all in need.

Every day at our schools and in our Children’s Home, Morning Prayer is a regular feature: a practice that has a long tradition from the past. The major feasts of the Liturgical seasons like Lent and Easter, as well as the Feast days of St. Magdalene and St. Bakhita are highlighted. Devotion to Mary is also fostered alongside the Catechism and other faith formation sessions which have been incorporated in the Pastoral Care Programme of the school or infused in the Values Education Curriculum.

In the past, the Catholic and Canossian character of our Schools and Children’s Home had been largely shaped by the significant presence of many Sisters, who lived in the Convents alongside the school premises or Sisters, who were Principals, teachers, counsellors or religion teachers.

01 Delivering hampers for the poor 02 Kindergarten pupils taught to pray 03 Sr. Dorothy Santa Maria with the ‘Brownies’ in the early days 04 Tradition of Canossian character – commitment to work 05 Girls praying in the chapel 06 Educational opportunities during excursions

Today, the Catholic and Canossian character is imparted essentially by committed Lay partners, as well as Chaplaincy teams, made up of Catholic teachers, especially those who were ex-pupils to carry on this healthy tradition; this is due to the rapidly changing landscape of education in Singapore. The future of our School and Non-Formal Education is of great concern to the Canossian Sisters, and hence the untiring effort of the Canossian Charismatic Formation Team (CCFT) made up of passionate and competent Sisters and Lay partners, together with Leaders and Key Personnels, is crucial to explore and map the road ahead.

It promises to be an exciting adventure, the distilling of the essence of Magdalene’s educational genius, which has stood the test of time, as Magdalene had already in her day, some 200 years ago, realized the importance of personalized and differentiated learning, emotional intelligence and other contemporary educational innovations in vogue today!

More importantly, we pray that we will continue to pass on a “big-hearted” and “warm-hearted” and an inclusive and all-embracing Catholic and Canossian Education – inspired by Jesus the Way, the Truth and the Life – so that we may come to know the Love of God.

“The fruits of our acts of charity towards our neighbour will be proportionate to the spirit of prayer accompanying our words and actions.”

- St. Magdelene

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ONE LOVE, ONE MISSION, ONE CANOSSIAN

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E D U C A T I N G W I T H O N E C A N O S S I A N H E A R T B E A T: C H A R I T Y

The Canossian Eduplex: Its Unique Canossian Brand

T

he Canossian Eduplex is a physical manifestation of the Canossian Charism. The 5 sectors work together to serve and make a difference to the lives of all who enter through these gates. The borderless set-up of the Eduplex enables partnerships and collaborations between the sectors. The Canossian Eduplex is uniquely Canossian.

The rationale for the Eduplex is the belief in the integral promotion of the whole person through education and that there should be no distinction among beneficiaries. That is, no one should be excluded in any educational opportunities to improve his / her life. This is the raison d’être of the ‘Borderless Way’ which allows for the close interaction and cooperation among the five: • • • • •

Inclusion Model Learning alongside classmates in mainstream schools with support

Pull-out periods

Presence of support teachers in mainstream classrooms

Inclusion only for non-core subjects

Support Lessons

Direct Instruction

Canossa Convent Canossian School (Hearing Impaired) Canossa Convent Primary School Canossaville Children’s Home Magdalene’s Kindergarten

The Eduplex adopts the inclusion model in its operation, emphasising flexibility and support for learning by every hearing impaired student alongside classmates in mainstream schools.

This Inclusion model helps provide opportunities for all parties concerned to reach out to the hearing-impaired and encourage children, staff and parents of regular school to share this spirit. It also promotes equal educational opportunities for all and facilitates avenues for formation of the heart. It helps create a greater sense of public awareness and extends responsibilities of education to and involving different sectors of the public.

Canossa Convent

Magdalene’s Kindergarten

The Borderless Way

Canossa Convent Primary School

Canossian School (Hearing Impaired)

Canossaville Children’s Home

Canossa Convent

C

anossa Convent had its humble beginning in Aljunied Road, with the purchase of a 5.5 acres piece of land which cost $11,000. The $7000 downpayment for the land came from the sale of “Villa Canossa�, a house in Pasir Panjang. With the title deeds but no money to start the construction of the building Mother Teresa Frisanco approached Msgr A. Devals with the problem. In Oct 1939 Rev Fr Stephen Lee took charge of the expenses for constructing the new building and began by first reclaiming the swampy land surrounded by vegetable farms. On 14 Aug 1941 the completed Chapel and Convent were blessed by His Lordship Msgr A Devals, Bishop of Malacca. As always, it was the need for education that

drew the Sisters to begin a primary school here. An orphanage was also opened to welcome 31 orphans.

More than 70 years have passed; and today, even in a time of peace and under very changed circumstances, education is no less important. The same piece of land today houses a huge educational complex: the Canossian Eduplex. This complex was officially opened in 1999, and it provides the unique Canossian brand of education: formal and non-formal, for the children in the neighbourhood and beyond. Through their zeal and dedicated pastoral presence, the Sisters continue to make Jesus known and loved to more than a thousand students who enter the Eduplex premises daily.

01 Canossa Convent, that was twice occupied by the Japanese military during the war 02 Sister teaching Catechism 03 Sisters in Canossa Convent singing at a Jubiliee celebration of the Sisters 04 Formation of Eduplex staff 05 Sisters bonding at a Community Outing

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ONE LOVE, ONE MISSION, ONE CANOSSIAN

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C A N O S S I A N E D U C AT I O N

Canossian School (Hearing Impaired) Original Founder Sr. Angela Garavaglia Current Leader Miss Terry Theseira (Principal) Sr. Marilyn Lim (Supervisor) Current Enrolment

01

Pupils ...... 108 • 88 primary schoolers • 20 pre-schoolers

02

01 The Canossian School Percussion Band performed before Pope St. John Paul II 02 Sr. Angela Garavaglia 1st Principal of Canossian School engaging a pupil 03 Sr. Anne Tan, 2nd Principal of Canossian School in Jalan Merbok 04 Linguistically confident to perform on stage 05 Social integration means no one is left out 06 Encouraged to do what others do 07 Adept enough to perform and bring joy

Objectives of the School Canossian School seeks to: • Be a centre of excellence for hearing impaired children • Enable hearing impaired realize their fullest potential • Help them listen and to develop spoken language through early detection and appropriate hearing aids Current Activities Canossian School • Adopts the Natural Auditory Oral (NAO) approach to teach hearing impaired children • Enables pupils to move on to mainstream secondary schools • Actively promotes inclusion of special needs pupils in mainstream schools.

School has 3 inclusion partners: Magdalene’s Kindergarten, Canossa Convent Primary School and MacPherson Primary School. Inclusion enhances socialemotional development.

03

Significant milestones/achievements 1956 – Canossian School for the Deaf at 1 Sallim Road School started as a boarding school at 1 Sallim Road. Previously, known as Fatima Home which also housed the deaf, blind and spastic children.

1970 – Relocation to 100 Jalan Merbok – taking in only hearing-impaired girls.

The use of speech with sign language and finger spelling was the main mode of communication. The School became known as Canossian School for the Hearing Impaired.

1986 – 1988 Dr Morag Clark, an advocate for oralism and inclusion, worked with Canossian School starting its inclusion programme for pre-schoolers.

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1989 From 1989, all the pre-school hearingimpaired children went to regular kindergarten. 4 of them went to Bukit Batok Primary School after passing their Primary 3 Streaming Examination.

Canossian Eduplex facilitating inclusion at all levels.

1992 The first batch did very well in the PSLE leading to more inclusion in our Canossian Schools.

2006 A partnership with MacPherson Primary School allowed for the inclusion of upper primary boys. Started collaboration with the National Institute of Education for the Advanced Diploma in the Natural Auditory Oral approach in the education and management of hearing impaired children.

1996 Mrs. Julie Kosanner, a qualified audiologist, helped school embark on a Cochlear Implant project. Doctors from Singapore General Hospital did the surgery while Canossian School concentrated on Natural Audiology Oral rehabilitation.

1999 – The Canossian Eduplex In May, with a new building at Sallim Road, Canossian School joined the other 4 educational sectors to become the

2003 The school changed its name to Canossian School (CS).

2010 Beginning of full inclusion: every child has a place in mainstream classes and receives on-site learning, audio-logical and habilitation support.

Future Plans & what’s ahead • Use the Natural Auditory Oral approach for the education of hearing impaired children.

• Adopt the Inclusion model for special needs children and be a centre for educational audiology and habilitation.

Canossian School is the only Catholic special school.

2009 The Ministry of Education affirmed the school’s inclusion programme. Canossian School is the only special school with an inclusion programme for academic and social-emotional learning.

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C A N O S S I A N E D U C AT I O N

Canossaville Children’s Home

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1941 Canossa Convent was officially opened with 4 Sisters, 1 Novice and 4 Postulants.

Simultaneously, the Canossa Orphanage was established to house 31 orphans.

1944 80 orphans and 6 Sisters were sent to Bahau jungle in Federated Malaya. Japanese took over the Convent as their headquarters for the Geylang district.

1945 Japanese surrendered, Sisters and orphans returned from Bahau to Canossa Convent.

1952 A new wing was built and Fatima Home opened its doors to the deaf, the blind and the orphans.

1956 Sr. Helen Fernandez and Sr. Angela Garavagglia took charge of the Deaf School.

1979 Canossa Orphanage changed its name to Canossaville Children’s Home.

1980 Provided before and after school supervision for latch-key children.

Current Leader Ms Suzana Yeo (Executive Director) Sr. Marilyn Lim (Supervisor) Current Enrolment Pupils ...... 70 • 12 Residential Care • 48 Student Care Centre

03 Objective of the Home To provide • Quality care and nurturing • Structured and disciplined learning environment.

• Experiences for informal learning.

• Environment of trust and confidence in God, self and others.

• Opportunities for our children and their families a chance to succeed, create good lives for themselves and to contribute positively to society.

Current Activities Canossaville Children’s Home • Provides residential care and protection for girls aged from 4 – 12 years while teaching them life skills.

• Offers before and after school care for primary school boys and girls.

• Encourages social support from corporate and other organisations.

Significant milestones/achievements Some of our more recent programmes are: • Percussion – develops potential in the field of music and movement.

• Social Circus – inculcates a sense of giving to others.

• Music lessons – develops potential for children who are musically inclined.

• PreTEENS – prepares pre-teens for secondary school.

Future Plans & what’s ahead • Issues that children and their families face are more complex today e.g. twin issues of poverty of the spirit and poverty of opportunity.

• Crucial to evolve to meet these changing needs – to stay relevant.

• New and innovative programmes to help build them to be resilient e.g. educate them on current issues relating to the environment, health and cyberspace.

• Equipped them with decision-making and social skills.

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05 Children will not do what you say – rather, they will do what you do. At Canossaville, we are constantly challenged to be role models not in the big things, but in our daily interactions.

The Home is run under the auspices of the Canossian Daughters of Charity. The Canossian Sisters provide spiritual support while many talented and dedicated people who care for our children come forward to give them opportunities for growth and development.

06 01 Srs. Elvira and Helen with the deaf girls in Fatima Home 02 Happy faces of the young orphans and boarders at Fatima Home 03 Learning through play and toy making 04 Girls are taught how to cook a meal 05 Care in handling sharp instruments 06 Support for our children from corporate groups

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C A N O S S I A N E D U C AT I O N

Canossa Convent Primary School Canossa Convent Primary School (CCPS) opened in May 1942 during the Japanese Occupation. Its medium of instruction was in Japanese. In 1944, it was ordered to close as the Japanese took over Canossa as their headquarters. After the war, in 1946, the School was registered as a Chinese School catering to the poor Chinese population. In 1951 it reverted to the English medium in order to obtain Government funding.

01 Objectives of the School St. Magdalene said, “Ours is a life built on love.” CCPS wants to build a community of compassionate leaders and passionate learners, in the service of God, country and family.

Current Activities CCPS aims to: Develop pupils as ‘whole persons’, emphasizing formation of the heart, development of character and inculcation of values, specifically the values of Commitment, Compassion and Cheerfulness.

Current Leader Ms Grace Tan (Principal) Sr. Cecily Pavri (School Supervisor) Current Enrolment Pupils ..... 630 Staff ..... 63

02 01 Gathering at the school field for assembly 02 Pupils working on their Service Innovation Project to develop products to improve work in the classroom 03 Students play hosts to elderly residents of a neighbourhood home.

04 Canossian School and CCPS pupils learning and playing together at the NEA Nature Cares Programme 05 Taking learning beyond the classroom 06 Developing social awareness through Immersion Programmes overseas 03

How to achieve Mission?

Multiple platforms are adopted: • whole-school programmes such as assembly talks, to values education lessons • one-to-one interaction with subject teachers and hands-on experiences which include co-curricular activities (CCA) and • working in teams for Project Work Distinctive characteristics of CCPS: • Service Innovation through Design Thinking - pupils learn and apply elements of Design Thinking in problem solving and making a difference to others in the community.

• Solid foundation in literacy and numeracy – readiness for next phase in education.

• Other skills – importance of competencies and skills. (thinking skills, communication skills, globalization and cross-cultural skills) • Social Emotional competencies in the 21st Century are also developed through in-class lessons, local and overseas learning journeys.

04 History • School started as Singapore entered the Japanese Occupation with only 4 teachers and a few children in the 1940s. Over the past 70 years, the school has grown and touched the hearts and nurtured the minds of countless more.

• In 1996, the school underwent a 2-year upgrading programme to provide more classrooms and better facilities.

• By 1999, the school returned to 1, Sallim Road, coinciding with the completion of the newly conceptualised Canossian Eduplex - a community of 5 Canossian institutions functioning as a borderless entity, creating a holistic and effective education to children under their care. The five sectors – Canossa Convent Primary School (CCPS), Canossian School (CS), Magdalene’s Kindergarten (MKG), Canossaville Children’s Home (CCH) and Canossa Convent (CC).

How CCPS contributes to the EDUPLEX – the unique “many hands” approach: • Partnership with the Canossian School (CS) to give hearing-impaired pupils mainstream school experience.

• Collaborates closely with Canossaville Children’s Home as it provides its pupils with before / after school care.

• Works together in a Community Involvement Programme (CIP) with Magdalene’s Kindergarten.

• Supports from Canossa Convent Sisters who run Values Education classes for Catholic girls; the other girls participate in a secular Values Education programme.

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06 Achievements: Designated by MOE as a Satellite School (Model 3) in recognition of the CCPS-CS Integrated (Inclusion) Programme, 50 special education pupils study side-by-side with mainstream children. The programme gives hearing-impaired pupils from CS a mainstream school experience.

Commendable results at the Singapore Youth Festival in the contemporary dance, Indian and Chinese dance, the choir and band categories as well as in visual art.

The National Arts Council has also recognized CCPS for its structured wholeschool and level-wide efforts in developing our pupils’ skills in the aesthetics, with CCPS achieving a Silver in 2009 and the GLOW award in 2013, the second level in the three-level awards category.

Future Plans & what’s ahead By end 2014, with bigger classrooms and additional facilities such as the Dance Studio, Indoor Sports Hall and Performing Arts Studio in the library, the school • More opportunities to develop the pupils holistically through a studentcentric and balanced curriculum.

• More on developing higher order thinking skills and life-skills such as communication skills to enable and empower them to live meaningfully in the technological age.

“Ours is a life built on love” - St. Magdelene

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C A N O S S I A N E D U C AT I O N

Magdalene’s Kindergarten

Pupils ..... 101

Objectives of the School Magdalene’s Kindergarten seeks to • Be a place where all children are valued and loved.

• Provide a comprehensive and stimulating curriculum to achieve their full potential and to come to know God. • To educate our young by giving them an integrated and total education programme with emphasis on values, character building and “the formation of the heart”.

01 Developing talent through play 02 Sr. Enrica leading the children in their morning prayers

Current Activities • Under the inclusion programme pupils with special needs study together with those in the mainstream school.

Those with hearing loss develops their language faster through early inclusion.

• Mrs Jess Lim, (former Principal 2009-2014) and her staff have started engaging the children with special needs in individual conversation work.

Support groups have also been developed to help these children when they are included in mainstream classes.

• Parent Guidance Programme has been set up to guide and support parents, meet their needs and help them stimulate the children to higher levels of language.

• Children are kept interested in learning through improved curriculum - the introduction of Chinese extended programme to improve proficiency in Chinese Language and Culture

Founded: 1974 Current Leader Current Principal: Ms Roseline Ong School Supervisor: Sr. Cecily Pavri Current Enrolment

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e.g learning of Chinese poems, songs and tea appreciation has been implemented. Many enjoy the langauge through fun activities such as paper cutting and Chinese Calligraphy.

• Physical activites such as movements and dance provide ample opportunities for aesthetics appreciation and development.

• Most importanly inculcation of values and good habits is not forgotten e.g cleaning up / tidying up the place after using it. Also inclusion of hearing impaired among the children allowa children to accept and help one another Significant milestones/achievements 1. Awarded the MOE Kindergarten Innovation Grant in May 2012 for our project -”Learning Mandarin is Not Boring” 2. Awarded with the MOE Good Practice Award for Kindergartens in September 2013 & May 2012.

3. Awarded with the Preschool Health Promotion Grant in July 2012 4. Awarded Champion of the Arts by Singapore Repertory Theatre on 10 Dec 2013 Future Plans & what’s ahead Our vision is to provide a caring environment where children enjoy learning with their God-given talents so that they develop graciousness and become socially responsible, confident and independent children.

Canossian Convent Kindergarten Founded: 1970 Current Leader Ms Lim Kiah Pin (School Principal) Sr. Cecily Pavri (School Supervisor) Current Enrolment Pupils ......100

Canossian Convent Kindergarten, established in 1970, is part of the international network of Canossian schools and kindergartens that continues the educational dream of St. Magdalene.

Objective of the School Build the foundations in the 7 domains of early childhood education: • Physical (fine and gross motor skills) • Language and Number Skills • Social & Emotional Awareness • Creativity & Aesthetic (Art & Craft, Music & Movement) • Spiritual & Character development, with emphasis on Catholic values and Canossian ethos.

• Give holistic support to children with developmental challenges, and work closely with parents.

• Create a caring environment for the development of our staff.

“Welcome these children as you would welcome Our Divine Saviour Himself”

Our Vision: A place where God’s children are valued, loved, and developed.

Our Mission: To provide a caring and stimulating environment for joyful learning and growth in God-given talents.

Our Canossian Identity: Commitment, Compassion and Cheerfulness Our Canossian Way: Passion, Personcentred and Proactive Current Activites Canossian Convent Kindergarten practises inclusion by: • Accepting children of different nationality & race as well as those with different needs and abilities.

• Having committed staff knowledgeable in current curriculum.

• Organizing activities where children can express their thoughts and feelings appropriately.

With our time-tested educational programmes, the children look forward to coming to our kindergarten every day.

They are eager to enjoy each new day’s experience.

- St. Magdalene

01 Enviromental Awareness - See what nature has to offer 02 Creativity & Aesthetic - Learning Art & Crafts 03 Physical Skills - We are nimble and agile 04 Emotional Awareness - A visit to St. Joseph’s Home 05 Spiritual & Character Development through meditation

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C A N O S S I A N E D U C AT I O N

St. Anthony’s Canossian Primary And Secondary School 1879 First started as St. Anna’s School under Portuguese Mission in 111 Middle Road 1886 Renamed St. Anthony’s Boys’ and Girls’ School 1893 Both the boys and the girls were separated into St. Anthony’s Boys’ School and St. Anthony’s Girls’ School 1894

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The Canossian Sisters were invited by the parish priest of St. Joseph’s Church to take over the management of the school. That marked the beginning of St. Anthony’s Girls with an enrolment of 73 pupils 1906 Became known as St. Anthony’s Convent 1970 Separate administration for primary and secondary sections 1994 End of the year, school moved from 111 Middle Road to Bedok North Avenue 4 and was renamed St. Anthony’s Canossian Primary and Secondary School 2014 Completed PRIME: the official opening of the primary and secondary school was held on 15 August 2014 by Ms Indranee Rajah, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Law and Ministry of Education

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Current Leader SACPS Principal : Mrs Eugenie Tan Supervisor: Sr. Cecily Pavri SACSS Principal: Mdm Mak Lai Ying Supervisor: Sr. Cecily Pavri Current Enrolment SACPS

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Pupils ...... 1274 Staff ......... 118

Pupils ..... 1101 Staff ........ 118

Objective of the Primary School The primary objective of the school is the formation of the heart of each individual so that she may grow in the knowledge and appreciation of self and of the reality and ultimately recognizing God’s love for her and her mission in society.

Current Activities Besides providing instructions on the curriculum penned down by the Ministry of Education of Singapore, the school also carries out Pastoral Care Lessons for both the Catholic and non-Catholic pupils.

For the Catholic pupils, the Pastoral Care Lessons focus strongly on the teachings of the Church and explicitly make Jesus known and loved. The non-Catholic pupils are given Values education in which the conscience of an individual is moulded to help them make discerning choices.

01 We are Canossians: A life built on Love 02 Pride in our culture 03 Pupils performing at the Schools’ 135th Anniversary 04 Preparing hampers for the under privileged 05 Our pioneer Canossian Sisters, staff and the parish priest

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04 Future Plans & what’s ahead The school will continue to educate the pupils in the 21st Century Competencies so that they will be a confident and discerning person, centred on the 3Ps: Person-Centred, Passion and Pro-active.

We hope that the pupils who graduate from the school will display the spirit of Commitment, Compassion and Cheerfulness.

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C A N O S S I A N E D U C AT I O N

Objectives of the Secondary School To achieve The ‘Formation of the Heart’.

Thus in our education programmes, we seek to • Develop every student holistically to reach her full potential.

• Promote attitudes and habits so that students become good women committed to God, compassionate to all and cheerful in service to others.

• Ensure ‘person-centeredness’ in the interaction between teacher and learner.

• Foster mutual respect between teachers and students – irrespecive of intellectual, emotional, social or cultural background.

• Nurture our students to be warm, affectionate and yet firm young people so that they develop self-discipline as well as experience joy in acquiring knowledge and social interaction.

Current Activities Brain-Based Learning has been deployed as a whole-school approach to teaching and learning as we believe that learning should be in accordance with the way the brain is naturally designed to learn.

Strengthen The Reading Habit • Upgrade the library facilities • Increase the variety of books and resources (print and non-print) to support academic and personal pursuits • Re-implement the early bird reading scheme • Collaborate with the National Library Board in their enrichment programs.

• Incorporate strategies that encourage reading for pleasure and research in our English and second language curriculum Focus on counselling and special needs • Support structures for counselling, in particular, students with special needs • Encourage students especially those from challenging family background, be it financial or emotional

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Ensure staff development and professionalism • Mentor staff to ensure quality staff with the right professional ethos and conduct • Chart and plan staff development through professional dialogues • Appreciate the need to balance organisation needs with work life harmony of those young officers starting their families

04 01 Students in the 1960’s 02 Outdoor education - building resilience and the “can-do spirit” 03 Unveiling of the plaque during the official opening of SACPS and SACSS on 15 Aug 2014 by Ms Indranee Rajah, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Law and Ministry of Education 04 Sr. Natalia Tasca and her teachers who were Guiders 05 Students at an Assembly Talk 06 Combined School Performance during the official opening of SACPS and SACSS 07 Staff at a Teachers’ Day dinner.

08 Parent Volunteers also known as Canossian Co-Educators with Sr. Cecily Pavri, Principal Mdm Mak and 2 Vice-Principals

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C A N O S S I A N E D U C AT I O N

Canossian Charismatic Formation Team(CCFT) Founded: 2011 Current coordinator : Sr. Margaret Goh Team members today Sisters Dorothy Lim, Margaret Goh, Janet Wang, Marilyn Lim, Cecily Pavri and Rosalia Yeo Lay Partners: Lesley Goonting, Edwina Yeow, Lim Luck Siew, Chua Bee Choo, Agnes Chew and Lim Poh Suan Resource persons: Andrew Sng and Chua Bee Kwan

01 Training Session by Andrew Sng 02 The Charismatic Formation Team 03 What does Canossian Education mean to you?

04 Getting to know your roots – Staff Induction at 111 Middle Road 05 Jun 2011 Learning Journey to Verona 06 Catholic Teachers’ Retreat 07 Having fun at a Staff Symposium 08 ‘Worktreat’ another CCFT programme

Vision of the Group Towards living the greatest Love: Sisters and Lay Partners in the ministries Current Activities Methods of Involvement: • collaboration • empowerment • dialogue • share wisdom • formation of the heart • collectively developing a canossian education charter Level of Involvement of Sisters • Management committee: sister supervisor/ committee members • Leadership roles: sister chaplains/ administrators of nursing home • Staff/students/residents: sister teachers/ advisors/pastoral care team/counselor What are the Canossian Communities involved?

• Management Committees of Schools, homes, and kindergartens • School leaders / educators, Province Chaplaincy & CCFT and School Chaplaincy Teams • Staff, Students & residents of homes On-going Initiatives • Induction of new staff from our Canossian Ministries - 2 sessions for every new staff. Lay Leaders of the Schools as well as the Management Board members also attend the formation sessions.

• Year-end work-plan seminars: For example, in 2011 there was a Combined KG formation session with the theme Mission, Vision, Core Values and Compassionate Communication.

• “The Canossian Learning Journey” organized for Canossian Educators and staff to Italy on following the footsteps of Our Foundress as they visit the Canossian communities and schools she started in her time.

Significant milestones/achievements • At the Province Chapter in October 2013, CCFT presented where we were and the future in 2019 (6 year plan).

Out of the discussion, decision was made to write a Canossian Education Charter.

• Two “Worktreats” - Loving to Life have been conducted for the Principals and Key Personnel to identify a balance between aspirations and challenges as leaders in our Schools in the Spirit of St. Magdalene of Canossa. Education Consults were held to get educators involved in drafting the Canossian Education Charter.

Future Plans & what’s ahead Immediate Plans 2014 – 2018 – Sisters as Custodian / Guarantor of Charism • Include lay members in CCFT & Province Chaplaincy Team ( PCT) • Initiate creative presence of Sisters in ministries • Raise awareness through 120th Anniversary School celebration CARITA • Initiate Capacity building for Key Personnel • Identify lay people as trainers & leaders of CCFT& PCT • Establish guidelines for Canossian Partnership by 2015-16 Objectives: Through dialogues to strike a balance between all stake holders towards meeting • MOE Expectations • Parents’ Expectation • Educators’ Expectations • Excellence Model with Canossian values By 2019 – collaborative partnership in the charism of the greatest love • Between Sisters & Lay Leaders collaborating at management boards, leadership & chaplaincy level though values aligned with LOVE • Full-time lay staff to lead CCFT & PCT

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P R O C L A I M I N G T H E G O S P E L : E VA N G E L I S AT I O N

Proclaiming the Gospel:

Evangelisation Our Charism enables us to be “very zealous in this holy exercise” in the Church, so the Christ may be the heart of the world.

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alled by our Charism to break the bread …with simplicity, devotion and respect, our Sisters share the Word of God by collaborating with the Church and the laity so that every person may encounter Jesus. To illustrate, in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) programme organized in every parish, Sisters are called upon as to act as resource persons, conduct talks or facilitate discussions. To our Foundress ‘Jesus is not loved because He is not known’. Sisters proclaim the Gospel to those in search of love and hope through:

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• Catechesis in parishes and schools • Retreat and Spiritual Direction • Youth Ministries for young adults and those in tertiary institutions • Prison Ministries and other Archdiocesan duties Catechesis in schools From the very early days, Sisters taught the pupils about Christ and how He died for them. Today, catechism is still taught to the Catholic pupils and Sisters and the chaplaincy team conducts para-liturgies for mass during feast days.

Retreat and Spiritual Direction Inspired and fired by St. Magdalene’s passionate zeal to make God known and loved, Sisters engage in Retreats and Spiritual Direction, ministering to the Lay and Religious, youth and adults, as well as Christians and those of other Faith traditions. According to their needs Sisters in this ministry • walk with Sojourners during Guided Prayer • offer Vocation Accompaniment to youths discerning their mission in life • conduct retreats for Church groups, Canossian students, staff and others • provide spiritual guidance to those seeking to deepen their relationship with God in one-on-one retreats

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03 01 Legion of Mary meeting 02 a: LifeSprings – Labyrinth Walk 02 b: LifeSprings – Spirituality Centre and

oasis for quiet reflection 03 Sharing charism with Formators and Lay Partners 04 Engaging the Youths

04 In the hectic hustle-bustle of life in our high-pressured city-state, more and more people need quiet spaces, guidance for reflective contemplation, and a more personal, deepening experience of God. LifeSprings, the Canossian Spirituality Centre at Jalan Merbok, set in the midst of tranquil, green surroundings, has been a haven of comfort to many. Sisters and trained Lay persons have conducted various types of retreats: Ignatian Spiritual Exercises, Scriptural Prayer Retreat, Landscape Crossing, retreats for cancer patients and their caregivers, Labyrinth Prayer Walk and Inter-Religious Contemplative Retreat.

Youth Ministries In youth ministries Sisters avail themselves to young people in corporate and tertiary organizations. More importantly, Formators and Lay Partners are empowered through the sharing of charism. Our Sisters consciously foster the Canossian ethos in the workplace. Amongst foreign workers, there is respect for their faith and in turn, they come to know and understand the spirit of compassion, cheerfulness and commitment of a Canossian-run institution. To tap from more experienced formators, we share resources with Women Religious Vocation Team and also have regular meetings with Inter-Congregational Formators.

Prison Ministry The Canossian Sisters and their Lay Partners have also been visiting those incarcerated in prisons giving them spiritual comfort by bringing them the Eucharist, emotional support through unfailing love and visits. For non-Christians, they equip them with Life skills through the Power of my Dream programme to help them reintegrate into society when they leave the prison.

St. Magdalene reminds us, all for “… the Glory of God and the spiritual good of our neighbour”.

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T H E C A N O S S I A N L AY PA R T N E R S

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n our Province today, the Sisters are dedicated to a wider variety of the ministries, for example, education and assistance to underprivileged families and parish activities such as catechetical programmes or pastoral services, the care of the aged and sick or the service of a particular area e.g. counselling or visits to prisons. Though small in number, the Canossian Sisters have kept up with the times and are still serving the new needs of the ‘poor’ through support of our lay members and partners. This collaboration is not new, as our Foundress, St. Magdalene had “tertiaries” in her time and they played significant roles in supporting the apostolate work of charity.

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Association of The Lay Canossian – Singapore St. Magdalene of Canossa from the onset of her Institute value Lay people who are appreciative of her Charism and wish to be co-partners in the ministries of the Canossian Institute.

Rooted in our same Charism of “Humility in Charity and Charity in Humility”, the Association of the Lay Canossian manifested its vibrancy in expressions as Canossian Lay Missionaries, Lay Canossian (Singapore & Myanmar), Consecrated Lay Canossians, Sodality of our Lady of Sorrows, Canossian Oblates, Canossian Educators and the Canossian Alumni.

In the Spirit of the “One Canossian”, the members of the Association of the Lay Canossian contribute their time, talents, resources and spiritual efficacy especially to the “poorest of the poor” of St. Magdalene as of today and always in our Canossian ministries.

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01 Different ways of helping the poor in the past 02 Bringing joy to the children in the slums of Manila 03 Participants at Association of Lay Canossian Inaugural Conference on 14 Sept. 2013 04 a: Opening address by Sr. Theresa Seow b: Cecilia Villenquez, the emcee

THE LAY CANOSSIAN FAMILY TREE St. Anthony’s Province

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n their evangelical ministry especially in the field of education, catechesis and assistance to the sick, the Canossian Sisters have the support of lay persons who wish to dedicate themselves to the same apostolic work according to the Canossian charism.

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T H E C A N O S S I A N L AY PA R T N E R S

Sodality of Our Lady of Sorrows (OLOS)

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Started by Sr. Luigia Marelli, 2nd Superior of St. Anthony’s Convent, in 1908, also known as Christian Mothers’ or Our Lady of Seven Dolours Association in the past. The Canossian Sisters shared with the Lay people the Canossian Charism, thus keeping very much alive, the loving service of God and neighbour.

Current Leader Mrs Myrtle Krusemann Current Enrolment 160 members

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03 Objectives of the Group The Sodality of Our Lady of Sorrows has a special devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows and take her as their model in the practice of her virtues.

Current Activities The group meets every second Saturday of the month to recite the Chaplet of Our Lady Sorrows and receive spiritual input from their Spiritual Advisor. The group actively participates in the Celebration of the Eucharist by Msgr. Ambrose Vaz. They pray for the sick, the deceased, and also pray for those whose birthdays fall on that month.

While they enjoy tea and fellowship they also observe a half-day retreat conducted by the Spiritual Advisor during Lent.

Christmas and Chinese New Year are celebrated with lunch at a restaurant after the Eucharist.

Significant Milestones and Achievements On 12 April 1958 the Sodality of Our Lady of Seven Dolours celebrated its Golden Jubilee. His Lordship, Mgr. Da Costa Vaz graced the occasion with a solemn Mass which was well attended by 170 ladies.

After Mass, a special breakfast was served in St. Anthony’s Convent school hall. A play entitled “The Mission of Women” helped them to reflect on their personal mission and proposed for their consideration “Mothers - as a total self-gift to their family and society”. The Sodality celebrated their 100th Anniversary on the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows in September 2008.

02 01 a: Catherine Zuzarte explains the history of the banner 01 b: Sodality of Our Lady of Sorrows in the early days 02 … they are also known as “Purple Ladies” 03 Sr. Virginia Crimella and the ex-President, Marie Victor cutting the Sodality’s 100th Anniversary cake

Canossian Lay Missionaries (CLM) Started By Sr. Natalina Biffi (Sister animator) Patricia Chung (President) Current Leader Sr. Elizabeth Sim (Sister animator) Thomas Khoo (Co-ordinator) Current Enrolment 20 members

Objectives of the Group CLM members embrace the Canossian ideal of making Christ known and loved.

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spread the Good news among believers and unbelievers pray for spiritual growth and success of missions at home and abroad serve the less fortunate and under-privileged participate in projects that are expressions of God’s love and compassion

Current Activities • Collect, pack and send clothes, shoes, household items, books, stationery and other daily necessities for the Canossian Missions abroad to support the Religious Priests and Sisters’ ministries to the poor • Organise short missions to other countries to give exposures to those interested in mission work • Attend spiritual talks, functions, conferences and feast-days celebrations within the Canossian family

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Significant Milestones & Achievements • Celebrated 10th anniversary when Sr. Natalina Biffi visited Singapore in 2002, and their 21st Anniversary in December 2012 • Helped finance the building of a school in Mukuru slum in Nairobi, a project headed by Sr. Calista Ponnudurai for her African mission • Brought basic daily necessities to the Kachin (Burmese) Refugees Centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia • Sent things regularly to the poor, slum dwellers in the Philippines Future Plans & what’s ahead • Invite more like-minded people to serve St. Magdalene’s ‘beloved poor’.

• Reach out to other countries (Indonesia, Myanmar) to extend our missionary aid • Continue organising short mission exposure to more countries so as to widen our missionary field Celebrating the spirit of Jesus Crucified • See those in need of our help, words of comfort and support • Become more aware of and compassionate towards those in need

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01 Canossian Lay Missionary members 02 “Whatever you do to the least of my brethren, you do to me” 03 CLM visited the Kachin Refugee Centre in Malaysia 04 Loading a 40-foot container for typhoon victims in the Philippines ONE LOVE, ONE MISSION, ONE CANOSSIAN

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T H E C A N O S S I A N L AY PA R T N E R S

Lay Canossians Started in 1965 by Sr. Natalia Tasca with six young ladies, who were then known as Canossian Auxiliary Workers.

In 1996, the group was renamed as Lay Canossians.

Current Leader Eileen Seow, National Team Co-ordinator

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Current Enrolment 51 members, from 7 groups and their Sister Animators: Bakhita ............................. Sr. Christine Santhou Canossa ............................ Sr. Florence Teo Caritas (Consecrated) ...... Sr. Rosalia Yeo Magdalene Apostles ........ Sr. Marcellina St. Anthony ....................... Sr. Mary S Veritas .............................. Sr. Mary Tan St. Antonio ........................ Sr. Mary S

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Formation Team The team conducts formation programmes both locally & overseas to prepare members who wish to become Lay Canossians. They are Louise Lee, Cecilia Villenguez, Bridget Williams, Magdalene Tan and Christina Lee.

Objectives of the Group • To live and deepen our calling as Lay Canossians by integrating faith with daily life • Cultivate a simple, humble and joyous lifestyle • Dedicate time, energy and resources to the services of others • Contemplate regularly Jesus Crucified and Our Lady of Sorrows

Current Activities Members are involved in Outreach activities as volunteers in Prison Ministry, Soup Kitchen, Breast Cancer Support Group and also participate in Senior Teochew Prayer group, visits to the Home of the Aged and mission trips to Cambodia, Malaysia and Myanmar.

Their parish ministries include Biblical Apostolate Team, Catechists, Lectors, RCIA, Neighbourhood Christian Community, block rosary devotion and other church ministries.

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Significant Milestones & Achievements 1974: First enrolment of 16 Canossian

Co-workers 1975: Enrolment of another 19 members 1976: Enrolment of some Mandarin

speaking members 1984: 10th Anniversary of the Lay

Canossian Association & the

International Conference held for the

first time in Singapore - 68 lay persons

and 20 Sisters attended 1987: The name Canossian Co-workers

was changed to Canossian

Collaborators 1996: Canossian Collaborators became

known as Lay Canossians. New

statutes were implemented.

2013: First inaugural conference of

Association of Lay Canossians

01 Volunteering at the Soup Kitchen 02 The Lay Canossians at the Association of Lay Canossians Conference on 14 September 2013 03 Reaching out to the needy in Siem Reap, Cambodia 04 The National Formation Team 05 Teaching an Indonesian Sister English 06 Lectors in parishes 07 First group of Lay Canossians from Myanmar with their Formators Future Plans & what’s ahead Active recruitment of new members, formation of a Canossian Youth group and organising more mission trips to neighbouring countries.

Attracted to the Greatest Love of Jesus Crucified, the Lay Canossians understand the love of Jesus Crucified for everyone and are motivated and inspired by this love, to respond and imitate Jesus as He did – to love without counting the costs.

We strive to follow our Foundress in “making Jesus known and loved” in our families and at work through sharing Scriptures with family members and being more charitable in our words and actions and be a missionary to the “Poor” - understanding, love and compassion for the needy.

ONE LOVE, ONE MISSION, ONE CANOSSIAN

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T H E C A N O S S I A N L AY PA R T N E R S

Canossian Alumni Current Leader Ms Belinda Huang, President Current Enrolment 1054 members: Honorary and ordinary members ....... 884 Junior members .................................. 170

The Canossian Alumni Association (CAA) seeks to strengthen the network of past Canossian pupils so as to develop the true spirit of loyalty and love for our Alma Mater and to be a channel of collaboration between the past pupils, the Canossian Schools and the society at large.

Current Activities Today, it is the official alumni association for the graduates of the 3 Canossian Schools - Canossa Convent Primary School, St. Anthony’s Canossian Primary School, St. Anthony’s Canossian Secondary School.

It connects the former graduates through events and activities to keep the spirit of the Canossian Education alive and brings together hundreds of former students to connect through these functions. The CAA organises activities such as annual visits to the St. Joseph’s Home every 1st May, hold home-coming tours, fund raising events such, as the Run for Fund, around the St. Joseph’s Church compound at Victoria

Street in memory of their much respected sports teacher, the late Mr SK Quah.

In addition, the Canossian Alumni Association recognises exemplary performance of students of all 3 schools and supports the following sponsorships : 1. Magdalenian Award, the Pinnacle award that celebrates the holistic achievements of pupils 2 Bakhita Award, that affirms the resilient spirit of pupils from a challenging background or situations 3 Magdalene’s Fund, in support of those needing financial assistance 4 Canossian Affliation Award, for the continuity of outstanding PSLE students choosing to stay on at St. Anthony’s Canossian Secondary School.

5 Canossian Spirit Award for exemplary character

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The Exco & many members of the Canossian Alumni Association return for various reasons. They value the education that goes beyond just academics and many are grateful to have grown into women of integrity and grace.

Many choose to send their daughters back to their Alma Mater with the confidence that their younger girls will be groomed to embrace the virtues that the Canossian Education has advocated over the centuries. It’s that touch of compassion, that special sense of care, that loving belonging and those cherished friendships which grows within those walls. A bond of love that only an ex-student will understand - Something that is exclusively Canossian.

01 Blessed Magdalene’s League First Annual Dinner, 11th December 1955 02 Day out with Sr. Cecily Pavri and the beloved Sr. Virginia Crimella 03 A charity Run organised by an Alumni sub-committee in remembrance of late PE Teacher Mr SK Quah 04 Home coming mass. Reconnecting the Junior members after the upgrading at the Bedok campus 05 The St. Magdalene’s award sponsored by the Alumni for the exemplary well rounded student 06 Alumni visit to Miriam Home, Kluang 07 The Exco 2012/14 at the Canossian Connect, Danza Queens 08 Visit to St. Joseph’s Home - an annual activity of the Alumni held every 1st May 09 Former CAA President, Dr Sylvia Goh with Sr. Marilyn Lim

Via, Veritas, Vita.

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ONE LOVE, ONE MISSION, ONE CANOSSIAN

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T H E C A N O S S I A N L AY PA R T N E R S

Oblates Founded on 13th Sept 1987, with six members at St. Joseph’s Home.

Current Leader Sr. Maria Casarotti

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02 Objectives of the Group To offer our prayers, our solitude / loneliness and suffering to our Lord for the intentions of the Canossian Sisters.

Current Activities Predominantly, the members are rather old and wheel-chair bound. They are residents of St. Joseph’s Home. However, they are still lucid and able to pray. Sr. Maria Casarotti gathers them to pray together for the Sisters. This praying together also helps them to be attentive to one another and to be happy. There is a sense of meaning for them for they are praying for others, especially the Sisters whom they appreciate. When there is someone dying, the group also prays with them at this special moment.

03 Members attended the Association of Lay Canossians Conference on 14 September 2013 during which a few were enrolled.

Sr. Maria Casarotti hopes to be able to recruit new members yearly.

The group is different as they are mostly elderly and will be called home anytime to be perpetual intercessors.

04 01 Sharing a special moment 02 Sr. Maria Casarotti sharing faith with members of the Oblates 03 Powerhouse of Prayer - Oblates praying for the sick and dying 04 How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

Voices of Canossians Here, we present excerpts of some of the speakers at the “One Canossian Seminar”, as well as voices of lay Canossians who have embraced the mission of our founding mothers to Love and Serve in a changing world.

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Being Canossian is … all about “Humility in Charity, Charity in Humility.”

Ms Cynthia Ang Consecrated Lay Canossian

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The Canossian institute is like a big family to me where I was trained to share the love of Christ.

What impacts me most is their unconditional love for others and their surrender completely to God. Mr Tony Tay Owner of printing business

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… a community’s love and acceptance of everyone for their differences and uniqueness, just as Christ would. It is not about precluding those who may think different, speak differently, act differently, look differently or love differently. It’s about a walking in, and not merely talking about, that gracious love.

Mrs Eugenie Tan, Principal

Ms Melanie Martens Former Principal St. Anthony’s Canossian Secondary School (2007-2013)

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St. Anthony’s was my second home.

The Canossians taught me how to love... I learnt to love just as they have loved me.

St. Anthony’s Canossian Primary School Mrs Christine Kanagarajah

A Canossian is Empowered and Alive! We strive to create a better world every moment. Conducting ourselves with a high level of integrity, faith, respect, compassion and unconditional love – it has to be our way of life – to touch and inspire people we encounter daily regardless of who they are.

Former Student & Teacher at SACSS

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A Canossian possesses the ability and capacity to truly love and care for others, regardless of their flaws.

Ms Abigail Yeo

Ms Veronica Tan Vice President Canossian Alumni (2012/14)

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Being Canossian is to be inclusive, to train your “eye” to look to the periphery, the edges of a group, of society to notice the person who is left out, the one who is lonely, unloved, lost. It is to be, above all, compassionate….

Being a Canossian is to embrace everyone especially the poor with a big heart and be rooted in our faith.

Jr Alumni (Grad year 2011)

Ms Selvathi Ex-pupil & Volunteer at Canossa Home in Thanlyn, Myanmar.

ONE LOVE, ONE MISSION, ONE CANOSSIAN

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PA S T O R A L C A R E O F T H E S I C K

Pastoral Care of the Sick ‘Big Hearts, big hearts: let us imitate that generous heart that on Calvary offered the life of her Son for the whole world’

- Our Lady of Sorrows, St. Magdalene of Canossa

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our Sisters came 120 years ago (1894) here to Singapore to embrace her peoples with love, patience and charity. The four pioneers, together with the Sisters that soon followed, started the 3rd ministry beginning with home visits to the sick. Years later during post-war Singapore, equipped with a mobile clinic, the Sisters dispensed medicine, attended to wounds and educated those who were poor or who lived far away from clinics or hospitals on proper care and hygiene as well as made regular visits to the hospitals to comfort and assist the Sick.

Magdalene’s vocation was to serve the sick in their physical and spiritual needs, a vocation the Canossian Daughters of Charity strived to emulate. To respond to the urgent needs of the sick, the Sisters insert themselves if necessary within existing local structures / agencies, collaborating with them. In 1978, the Sisters were tasked with ministering and managing St. Joseph’s Home - set up by the Catholic Welfare Services to provide shelter, care and love for the aged and the

destitute regardless of race or religion.

While mindful of Singapore’s religious harmony mandates, the Sisters continued to provide comfort and support to those they came in touch with at these homes and hospitals.

As Singapore grew, needs change. The Sisters learnt to respond to new forms of service: care for the dying, how to give the dying a quality of life and dignity that the dead do not ask for. It became evident that hospice care for the terminally ill was becoming critical. In 1985, St. Joseph’s Home opened an in-patient hospice for those suffering life limiting illnesses. The Sisters learnt more about palliative care and so as to add quality of life to the last days of the dying.

Today, three decades later, St. Joseph’s Home continues and extends this vocational tradition of care, first expanding and moving from its humble beginnings to its present location at 921 Jurong Road in 1993 – which was further expanded with a new extension block in 2002 – and now, in

03 2016 we are looking at the completion of a total redevelopment, at the same premises, of the Home. The new St. Joseph’s Home will open up space for more residents and for new programs. The Home also extends its care for sick parents of our Sisters, even our sick priests and single Lay Canossians.

In Pastoral care of the sick, the Sisters do not lose sight of the triple goal: “to comfort, assist and instruct,” either to prepare the sick for a holy death, or to empower them to a new life (if they recover). Priority must be given to the relational approach, namely attention to the needs of the sick and revealing the compassionate love of God. Most importantly, looking after the Sick is not about taking away responsibility of the primary caregivers, family and friends of the sick, but about providing love and support for both the Sick and their primary caregivers. Today we also provide ‘dawn to dusk’ care centre for the elderly – this allows care-givers some time of respite.

When the dying die, the living must live.

And this is the call of the Sick and the terminally ill that we have embraced today.

‘We comfort and assist the Sick (and their loved ones) with love, patience and charity as if we were really serving the person of Jesus Christ Himself (and those he loved).’

– St. Magdalene Canossa In 2007 Villa Francis was added to our growing responsibilities, providing inpatient care for the destitute poor and sick, and many with psychiatric needs. Our goals here are to focus on providing personcentered care and making Jesus known and loved through caring and healing. Our

04 Sisters work together with our partners – the various groups in the community, such as private corporations, religious groups, schools and tertiary institutions, SAF, SCDF & the Home Team. While offering opportunities for social responsibilities and mutual co-operation we are, at the same time, always appreciative and grateful for their love and support.

With rapid scientific progress, differences in attitudes towards life and the condition of the sick arise. This means that the Sisters face many ethical and moral issues.

They meet new challenges and exercise the Charism according to the logic of faith, within new conditions. In 2012 we explore the efficacy of alternative medicine. The Canossian Wellness Centre provides alternative, complementary, secondary health care in the form of traditional therapies such as physical therapy, acupressure and modern electro-medical therapies/devices. Throughout all these developments and responsibilities the focus on training and teaching remained a strong priority. A program to support and train domestic helpers to take care of the sick and the aged was implemented, teaching them not only how to care but also how to tap available resources.

05 01 Communicating care and love to a patient 02 (L to R) Sr. Marie D’Roza, Sr. Mary Tan and Sr. Geraldine Tan 03 Dispensing medicine from Mobile Clinic during the Post-war years 04 Honoured visitors to our Canossian Wellness Centre (CWC) 05 Taking the fear from dying – residents prepare their “happy transport” for their journey “home”

We may be small in number today, about 50, and though not all Sisters are involved directly in this our 3rd Ministry, their hearts are. And for this we thank God for their support and for the support of our Volunteers and Donors. It is with God’s Grace that we are allowed the joys and sorrows of caring for our Sick.

ONE LOVE, ONE MISSION, ONE CANOSSIAN

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PA S T O R A L C A R E O F T H E S I C K

St. Joseph’s Home 1978 The Canossian Sisters were invited to minister to St. Joseph’s Home set up by the Catholic Welfare Services at Gek Poh Road to provide shelter, care and love for the aged and destitute, regardless of race or religion.

1985 Started the in-patient Hospice for the holistic care of those suffering from life-limiting illnesses.

1993 The Home was relocated to 921 Jurong Road, the present premises with better facilities to answer to an increased needs of the ageing population and Hospice care.

2002 Added a new extension block with additional facilities for Physiotherapy, staff quarters and training centre.

2014 Awaiting the re-development of the Home to cater for more residents and new programmes.

Current Administrator Sr. Geraldine Tan

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In St. Joseph’s Home, ‘The House of God’ - even the smallest ministry and any kind of work is always great. In the Spirit of Christ Crucified and Our Lady of Sorrows and united in the same Mission of Care we reach out to the Sick and elderly with love and dedication.

We are thankful to God for the continuous support from our Volunteers and Donors who gave themselves generously in kind and in time.

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“We comfort and assist the Sick with love, patience and charity as if we were really serving the person of Jesus Christ Himself.”

- St. Magdelene

01 Mdm. Halimah with some Sisters at St. Joseph’s Home (4 of them are 90+) 02 Comforting the sick 03 Engaging the young to empower the residents 04 Commissioning of the Staff to comfort, assist and accompany the Sick 05 Residents at their regular group workout 06 Encouraging corporate participation and social responsibility

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ONE LOVE, ONE MISSION, ONE CANOSSIAN

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PA S T O R A L C A R E O F T H E S I C K

Villa Francis Home for the Aged Founded in 1973.In July 2006 the Canossian Daughters of Charity (FdCC) were appointed to manage and operate Villa Francis under the Catholic Welfare Services Nursing Home Management Committee.

01 Current Administrator Sr. Maria Sim

Objectives of the Home Inpatient Nursing Home, enhancing the quality of life through love, kindness and understanding.

Significant Milestones and Achievements Villa Francis at Mandai was built in the 1970s and had a capacity of 139 beds. The Tenancy Agreement between SLA and CWS (Singapore) to occupy the state land in Mandai Estate expired in May 2012.

MOH identified a replacement site in Yishun Central Avenue 4 and the new 9 storey home with 240 beds was built & completed in August 2013.

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On September 12, 2013: Blessing of relocated Villa Francis to Yishun Central.

On 4 September 14, 2013: Operated from Yishun Central.

Future Plans & what’s ahead Villa Francis at Yishun will complement the existing day social and rehabilitation centres in the vicinity, as well as Khoo Teck Puat Hospital and the new Yishun Community Hospital that is slated to open in 2016.

In the spirit of St. ,Magdalene’s ”Greatest Love”, Villa Francis will continue to reach out to all her “beloved poor” regardless of race or religion adopting a holistic approach to care.

03 01 Celebrating the Opening of Villa Francis at Yishun 02 Our elderly residents learn to connect everyday actions to creative movements. These movements can enhance recreational, physiotherapy sessions and facilitates social interaction and mind body connection to improve their wellbeing and quality of life.

04 03 Villa Francis at Mandai Estate -1970s to 2014 September 04 More than 30 years of dedicated & loving care for the poor and sick at Mandai

LOCAL OUTREACH

Responding to the Emerging Needs of the ‘Poor’ Today 01

Yearning to be one with Him who loves me, who calls me …

Do you love me? ... Feed my sheep!

Do you love me? Feed my lambs!

Do you love me?

You know I love you, Lord!

Feed my sheep!

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I left formal teaching in 1998, and I prayed and found my reality in Chinatown, Singapore.

01 ...before they came to us 02 Chinatown 03 ...now we go to them. Sr. Margaret Goh (in plain clothes) befriending an elderly resident

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began visiting her weekly. Mdm Ong lives with her unmarried son, an odd job labourer with kidney problems.

agdalene prayed: She saw the reality around her. She responded with Love.

How it all started In 2001, I was in the Philippines doing my Charismatic Month with Sr. Teresita Pamplona who was the main facilitator.

I remembered that experience not so much for the input by the various Presenters but how the Spirit of our Foundress was alive and vibrant in the Sisters and in their works of reaching out to the Poor. It encapsulates the model for my own Outreach to make Jesus Known and Loved. After my father’s demise on the 8th July 2011, I asked Sr. Marilyn for permission to do an outreach project for the elderly in Chinatown in memory of my father. I started in August 2011. Without any formal plan, I began visiting elderly residents in Chinatown.

Quite a number of them lived alone in 1-room flats at Blk. 5 Banda Street.

My elderly sheep One lady I met collects cardboards and plastics and sells them for a living. Every corner of her room is filled with things and these flow into the corridor until one day

the town council sent her a letter asking her to clear away her trash. Another is over ninety but her mind is still clear. She lives on her own and moves about with a walker.

She is able to mop the floor using her feet to move the piece of cloth. I admire her ‘can do’ spirit and her cheerfulness.

Another man lives alone. Alone but sublets a corner of his one room flat as a ‘parking space’ to someone who uses the “wheelchair” to sell things. My friend shares that he is worried now, that at 83, he may not be able to carry on living alone.

Lay Partners’ Support I was discerning on how to “grow” this outreach project. I have only time now just to accompany a Mdm Ong whom I met one day in 2011. She was sick and sitting alone at the coffee shop. I persuaded her to see a doctor at Outram Polyclinic. She was diagnosed with cataracts in both eyes, diabetes and high blood pressure. I helped her to get medical social assistance for her medical bills at the polyclinics, National Eye Centre and also at the Specialist Centre at Singapore General Hospital.

A friend helped her to apply for a monthly allowance from a Foundation and also

My Dream In the past, the poor would come to our convents to receive rations and assistance.

Today, the Poor are confined in their flats.

Not only do they need material help, they are also crying for love, acceptance and comfort. My one dream is for our Canossian Schools to be known for and branded with St. Magdalene’s preferential love for the poor and sick. I dream of our Canossian Schools reaching out to these emerging poor; that our students and the School Community attracting, in visible ways, like-minded, compassionate people in the corporate world to be our co-partners to reach out to the less privileged in our Singapore society.

- Sr. Margaret Goh

ONE LOVE, ONE MISSION, ONE CANOSSIAN

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OUTREACH BEYOND OUR SHORES

Myanmar Mission In 1996, the Provincial Chapter mandated the Province to explore the possibility of a Myanmar Mission Outreach.

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ith time, encouragement and support from friends of the Canossian Sisters in Singapore, we see gratifying growth in the Myanmar Canossian Mission in the last 6 years. The new building of Canossa Home in Thanlyn, opened by Sr. Margaret Peter in July 2012, has made the training of young girls who run boarding houses and orphanages for the children in the villages much easier and more effective.

Known as the Formation of Educators [FED], this programme has provided training for 6 batches of young women (about 120 young ladies) to become better managers of the boarding houses and orphanages in their villages. The FED coursework includes lessons in English, Science and Mathematics as well as basic health, housekeeping and management skills.

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With help from committed volunteers from Singapore, they also learn other enrichment

skills such as origami, line dancing, cooking and the making of musical instruments out of recycled materials, and basic level of guitar-playing. The FED graduates are deeply grateful for the generous support and they have strong desires to improve themselves and the lives of the children under their charge.

To share the Canossian Charism, there is also the formation of Lay Canossians, and to date there are 8 enrolled Lay Canossians.

There are others who are attracted to ‘come and see’ if they have the calling to be a Canossian Sister. Maria Ja Awn has been received as a Canossian postulant in Yangon and this year, the Lord has blessed us with one more novice, Antonia Mya Mya Lone and a postulant Heza Zar Zar. Today, all three are now in Singapore doing their religious formation.

At present, there are: At Canossa Home in Thanlyn • 20 trainee educators • 18 children • 3 trained leaders • 4 leaders in training • 2 Sisters - Srs. Joanna Da Silva and Angela Ng At Formation House in Yangon • 4 searchers • 2 Sisters - Sr.s Marion Liong and Jacqueline Chin The four Sisters formed the first Canossian Community in Myanmar, and from August 2013 is now officially the Province of Singapore-Myanmar.

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Pastoral Activities and Evangelisation Several programmes of faith formation and training for youth and children have been conducted and, at the same time, they have created opportunities for Singaporeans to come forward for mission service among the people of Myanmar.

What the Canossian Sisters experienced in the last 6 years: • Joy of helping people who are eager to learn and hungry for knowledge • Fulfilment in empowering the village girls, who because of poverty and poor education, have limited opportunities to improve themselves • Purpose and meaning in working with youth • Personal growth through living in a developing country • Joy in seeing the promotion of Canossian Charism in Myanmar How their apostolate and pastoral ministries have enriched the faith education of children, youth and adults through: • Involvement in the local parishes as catechists • Individual spiritual journeying • Collaborating with local catechists to develop catechism curriculum and lesson plans for children between 7-10 years • Conducting training courses for catechists • Helping the local diocese run children and youth camps • Conducting training in personal management and interpersonal relationships • Equipping the youth and adults with skills to become facilitators or trainers

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06 05 01 Sr. Margaret Peter officially opens Canossa Home in Thanlyn 02 Selvathi, our volunteer, in Chapel with the Sisters and the girls 03 Sisters and Postulants (L to R, Top) Srs. Jacqueline Chin, Marion Liong, Angela Ng, (L to R, Bottom) Antonia Mya Mya Lone, Maria Ja Awn, Heza Zar Zar 04 Guitars donated by benefactors from Singapore 05 One of the boys in the boarding houses under our FED programme 06 Practicum on housekeeping skills 07 Participants at the Parish Youth Camp

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M U LT I R A C I A L O U T R E A C H

Canossians in Interreligious and Inter-cultural Dialogue Since the establishment of the mission in the late 1800s, the Canossian Sisters have been involved with people of different religions and cultures. Globally, within the Canossian experience, special attention is needed in knowing the contexts in which the communication of our faith takes place and the difficulties encountered by beneficiaries in knowing the Good News and the love of Jesus Crucified. This could be due either to situations in life, personal or environmental experiences. Thus Sisters must pay more attention to the processes of inculturation, ecumenical and interreligious awareness and dialogue, more so in those places where Christianity is the religion of the minority, and where it is not always possible to explicitly communicate the Good News. Even in those days, it is evident that our early missionaries were conscious of this difficulty and so they chose to encourage the beneficiaries with the heart and in action. They showed respect for the dignity of the human persons they meet and their beliefs.

Pope Benedict XVI said, “Inter-Religious and intercultural dialogue is not an optional extra.” Not only must the Sisters and Lay People be aware of the need to practise mutual respect and understanding, but they are also called upon to be actively involved in inter-religious communication and promote sincere dialogue.

The Canossian Religious and Lay, young and old, hold with respect and regard, the belief and culture of those who come to our schools and homes, mindful that in Singapore, cultural and religious diversity is a ‘given’ amongst our children, parents, adults and Lay Partners. In our Canossian schools and homes, we highlight respect for their growth journey, their gradual

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understanding of the Christian message, and their openness and exercise of their freedom. In our homes, where we employ foreign workers to supplement local staff, we are grateful for their support and are always appreciative of both indigenious and foreign culture and ethnicity.

Simple yet innovative ways are used to raise social awareness and understanding of the diverse cultural and traditional practices of the people who come to our schools and homes.

Promoting racial harmony in the Schools 1 Assembly programmes showcasing the diverse arts and culture of our various races during festive occasions, such as Chinese New Year and Hari Raya to help students understand and respect religious oberservances and practices of different communities 2 Activities to allow students to experience traditions of another culture: henna painting, ketupat making, watching cooking demos and tasting various delicacies from kueh pie tee to curries and ‘Christmas pie’ etc.

3 View exhibits of different cultural celebrations and vanishing trades of different communities for a deeper understanding of racial roots 4 ‘colour-blindness’ that everyone, regardless of background, is precious in God’s sight

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04 01 Sr. Teresina Frisanco with two Malay children in the early years 02 Our Muslim staff joins the Canossian Learning Journey 03 Celebrating Chinese New Year with friends of other races 04 Mr. Gurmit Singh greets Sr. Catherine Lim at the Chingay parade 5 Placement of a good mix of girls from different race or religion in each class: thus promoting acceptance and love of one another despite racial and cultural diversity. That one is loved and treated equally. To have compassion for the poor - whether financially, emotionally, spiritually or academically .

6 The Canossian Learning Journey for key staff and personnel to witness the strong sense of community and othercentredness among Sisters in Italy

An Acknowledgement of Love and Gratitude

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his Commemorative Souvenir Magazine chronicles 120 years of history of the Canossians in Singapore. We hope that it encapsulates the essence of the rich culture, heritage and more importantly, the ministries where acts of love and service of this Mission come alive. We hope to keep in constant memory where we have come from and where we will be heading.

This publication would not have been made possible without the contribution of the following individuals who have tirelessly researched the history, culled the information, consolidated the facts, written and edited the pages - to have them created into a time capsule in pulp, consisting 12 meaningful decades.

We are proud and grateful for the creative consultancy of Andrew Cheong, and his team at Hatch Design for working on this publication with such dedication along with our editorial team, Sr. Magdalene Ee, Jackie Lim Poh Suan and Veronica Tan, under the directives of Srs. Theresa Seow and Dorothy Lim. We thank the contributions of Srs. Christina Yeo, Elizabeth Sim, Geraldine Tan, Margaret Goh, Maria Sim and Marilyn Lim; the School Principals, the Lay Canossian Groups and various organisations as well as all who have provided us with the invaluable memories, insights and information. There are too many of you to mention, but you know who you are. We appreciate the musical inspiration for the song One Love, One Mission by Catherine Ngian, that is a gift that will be sung in the hearts of many future Canossians.

Our heartfelt gratitude also extends to the well wishers from our esteemed VIPs, seminar panelists and advertisers.

Finally - all wouldn’t be possible without the Grace and Love of God, and the blessings of our patron Saints Magdalene of Canossa and Bakhita - to whom we honour for giving us such a privilege of being ONE CANOSSIAN.

Every care and effort has been taken to ensure the accuracy of information contained in this publication. All information has been deemed accurate at the time of print. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the permission of the publishers.

Printed by: Golden Ben Printer Pte Ltd