On 27 April, Sisters, Lay Canossians and Canossian Lay Missionaries gathered together at the Provincial House for a Farewell Eucharist and buffet for Sr. Marilyn as she would be leaving for Rome on 3 May to take on her new responsibility as General Councillor.

At the Thanksgiving, Sr. Rose spoke on behalf of the group of Sisters whom Sr. Marilyn journeyed with in their vocation discernment in the Joyville community, highlighting above all, her trust in each of them. 

On behalf of Sr. Angie, Sr. Chris and all the Sisters, Lay Canossians, Canossian Lay Missionaries, Sr. Janet expressed the mixed feelings in everyone's heart at the thought of Sr. Marilyn's departure for Rome, thanked Sr. Marilyn for her very precious contribution to the life of the Province of Singapore and wished her God's blessings in her new mandate. 

In life, we have to be open to the God of surprises and we must not be selfish. We are sure that with her gifts of nature and of grace, Sr. Marilyn will be able to contribute much more at the Institute level. 

"Dearest Sr. Marilyn,

We are happy that you have been elected General Councillor to serve in the Leadership Team of the Institute. At the same time, we are sad that you'll be away from Singapore for the next six years and we shall surely miss you.

Thank you for all that you are and all that you've done in the Province during the last six years. Thank you for your serenity and creativity, for your untiring zeal and undaunted faith. We worked together very well as a team in the Provincial Council and we could always count on your generous availability and prompt collaboration. 

I deeply appreciate your loving support especially during Jubilee Year 2000 when I had to take medical leave and you readily stepped in to substitute me in the leadership of the Province. Thank you for your kind understanding and for having done so much for me and for all the Sisters.

We are glad to know that you've been entrusted to pay special attention to Asia and Oceania. So, as you sit in your office in Rome or fly from one country to another, know that we your Sisters back home in Singapore are close to you in thought, love and prayer. After all, in this IT age we are just an e-mail away. 

Please do not work all the time. Do remember to have some relaxation with the General Council community: play a game of Uno, Upwards or Rummikub, go to the Italian beach for a swim or spend some days up on the beautiful mountains to contemplate God's creation."

Sr. Janet Wang

Click on pictures to enlarge.