I am a servant of God. Therefore, I will appear as a servant.” From Jakarta, Indonesia

May 15, 2018

Sunday, April 29, 2018, was a happy day for our congregation. Three young women who completed their formation believe that this is God’s holy vocation for them, so they staunchly declared themselves willing to make temporary vows. The profession of their vows was held at St. Thomas, Rasul-Bojong Indah, West Jakarta. This was the first time that Sisters of Notre Dame held the temporary vow ritual in this parish. We hope this ceremony will attract vocations from the young people in St. Thomas the Apostle Parish.

The three sisters who pronounced their temporary vows were Sr. Maria Helena, SND, from the Sibolga Diocese; Sr. Maria Edmunda, SND, and Sr. Maria Clarisa, SND, both from the Atambua diocese. Their vows were received by Sr. Maria Monika, SND.

The Mass began with the procession of the sisters, who escorted to the altar the three sisters making temporarily vows. The Mass, attended by parishioners, lasted for approximately two hours. The main celebrant, Rev. F. X. Suherman, Pr., parish priest of St. Thomas Apostle, Bojong Indah, was accompanied by Fr. Filto. The choir was composed of students of Notre Dame High School.

A video of the procession and vows can be seen in the following link https://youtu.be/RDB2zIDQJJQof

In his sermon, Father F. X. Suherman, Pr., emphasized how important it is to have a close relationship with God like the vine because if it breaks away from the vine, then in a moment it will become garbage. So Father advised, “The sisters who just made temporary vows are expected to always draw strength from God. Do not act in the name of ministry and begin to free yourself from God. He is the source of our ministry, ” said Father Suherman. Thus, you can take as your motto the words: “I am a servant of God. Therefore, I will appear as a servant.”

After the mass there was a simple banquet in the parish hall.