HEALING AND RECOVERY SESSIONS

The LVF Social Workers conducted group activities to the LVF girls as a venue for expression of suppressed feelings (anger, hurt, guilt, fear, hopelessness) and other emotions. Through short role play and group sharing, they are able to express their emotions and share their future plans. All of these activities are focused on their journey towards healing and recovery and at the same time empowering them.

ANGER: ‘TIP OF AN ICEBERG’

Psychology suggest that being able to name your feelings/emotions may be a sign of emotional maturity.  Using Dr. John Gottman’s ‘Anger Iceberg’, he reiterated that anger is rarely about being angry, but it’s more like an iceberg. The real question is: What is going on below the surface, concealed by the anger. Anger may just be a cover-up for feelings of sadness, embarrassment or shame. This anger presentation model gives clear picture of what is beneath anger. In addition, employing short role play as a medium to explicitly convey the message and to achieve the objectives of the session, the girls were able to identify the causes of anger and realized the importance of communication as an effective tool in dealing with anger and resolving conflict among themselves.  This session helps the girls to develop harmonious intra/interpersonal relationships in managing and handling their emotions positively. 

The session was then followed by burning or drowning the effigy of a person whom they have anger with, as one of the LVF’s technique in helping the child to move towards gradual healing and recovery. They were encouraged to draw the face of that person. The social worker guides the girls in the sessions’ duration. She asked “Ano ang gusto mong gawin diyan? Sunog o lulunurin mo?” And one of the girl answered, without hesitation: “Sunog!” The social worker then processed their feelings, emotions, reactions. Afterwards, some shared that the activity somehow helped them release something heavy off their chests.

MY BIOGRAPHY COLLAGE

As part of the girls’ self-awareness and building self-esteem session, Ms. Joy Hugo, LVF Social Worker conducted a “My Biography” activity. This activity allows the child to reflect on her perceptions about her own history until the present, enabling them to recall and express significant childhood memories and experiences in life. In the belief that emotions are more expressed through drawing, they were given paper and crayons to give forms and faces to their unexpressed selves.

After which, they were encouraged to share with the groups about their drawings. This way, they could freely express themselves without hesitation. The activity gives opportunity for the girls to verbalize their feelings, and point out values. 

ADOLESCENCE: IDENTITY vs. ROLE CONFUSION

Starting with the questions: Anu-ano ang mga pagbabago na naranasan, nararanasan mo sa iyong edad ngayon? Kalagayang: (a.)Pisikal; (b.)Emosyonal; (c.)Ispiritwal; (d.)Sosyal/Pakikitungo sa kapwa; (e.)Pag-iisip/Cognitive. The girls were able to identify the changes they had experienced and are still experiencing. From there, the discussion went deeper to understanding the transitions occurring in a person who is on the process of growth, so as to avoid confusion and doubt. Assuring them that what they are going through is normal, through guidance is essential. The session has focused on the Adolescent stage, employing the theory of Erik Erikson’s Stages of Development, since our participants are from 12 to 20 years old. It is important to conduct sessions on the person’s stages of development for this is the time where teenagers develop their identity and it is accompanied by crisis. This session was conducted by Ms. Rosea Monsay.

CANONICAL VISITATION OF SR. LUCY ROSE OZHUKAYIL TO LAURA VICUNA CENTER 

The Canonical Visitation is done by a member of the General Council from Rome designated by Mother General to do rounds of the different Provinces (FMA presences in the world and the communities under each Province) of the Institute.  The visitation to Laura Vicuna Center was virtual (online) due to the COVID-19 Pandemic
 
The LVC gates open with the joyful applause of Welcome as Sr. Lucy and Sr. Veronica’s Standees were ushered in, where Sr. Marivic, the Sisters, lay mission partners greeted them on the glass door Entrance of the Laura Vicuna center last April 03-05, 2020.  This Canonical Visit is indeed one of a kind, it is virtual!  Maria, Vogliamo Amarti!  We want to Love you, Mary!

The community prepared an original welcome by making a STANDY of both Sr. Lucy and Sr. Veronica; making them very much alive in our midst.  The younger Vicunians composed a short cheer-dance to welcome them followed by a community welcome dance entitled “It’s a Beautiful Day” then all proceeded to the Chapel, sung and prayed Maria Vogliamo Amarti.  Sr. Lucy and Sr. Veronica were very much delighted by the effort and love given to them.  The Vicunians with their ‘trying hard’ English toured them around the house from the ground floor to the sixth floor.  Making them feel at home, showing them every nook and corner of the house.  The First conference with the Sisters immediately followed. 

She then started the conference via a meditative song entitled “You are the Mother of Mine” then proceeded to give a short introduction on the 24th General   Theme – “Do whatever He tells you!”, this time presenting Jesus as the one telling us these very words.  The second day of the Canonical Visit started with the Tree-Trunk meditation animated by Sr. Lucy.  The silent meditation was followed by the sharing of each sister.

In the Afternoon, Sr. Lucy met the girls; this was the most awaited time for everybody.  All were excited and eager to see and listen to Sr. Lucy.  The atmosphere was so youthful, festive and happy, she started by telling them how blessed they are to be in Laura Vicuna Center, that they should use all their time and energy to learn and take advantage of all that is offered in the center for their human, psychological, spiritual growth.

After which, Sr. Lucy met with the LVF Staff.  Sr. Lucy thanked them for their valuable presence in the center and for being close collaborators of the Sisters in their mission in forming the young, especially the LVC girls to have ROOTS – to be strong and principled individuals and to have WINGS – to reach their dreams, to become good Christians and honest citizens.

Excitement could be seen in the faces of the girls and all were busy preparing for our THANK YOU Program for Sr. Lucy and Sr. Veronica. Held at the 3rd floor AVR, again we welcomed them both with much warmth.  We began with a simple prayer of thanks symbolized by a lighted candle. Sr Lucy -Thank you for being this light among us, thank you for sharing Jesus’ light with us; letting it shine within you and through you!  We are grateful to the Lord for your words of wisdom, gratitude, concern and love for each one of us.  May the Good Lord bless and keep you all the days of your life!”  The prayer was immediately followed by the thank you program lovingly prepared by the sisters and the girls.

The ‘Our Life So Far… LVF ECQ Experience’ via a video presentation followed by the Disney songs sung by the girls which speaks of the different sentiments of women and the inner strength they have.  As a conclusion they sung A Million Dreams from the movie This Is Me, a song always sung by the girls that gently invites hearers to ‘join them as they dream for their future’ and knowing the circumstances where these girls came from will surely touch hearts and move them to action.’

We are living in the time of the COVID-19 Pandemic and an Enhance Community Quarantine, but nothing can stop us, our passion to hear and encounter God’s voice through Sr. Lucy!