By Tony C. Diaz | The Pacific Voice
Glory and joy for Sister Gloria Sister Gloria (Juan Marie) Crisostomo Aguon radiates joy as she cradles a statue of Santa Marian Kamalen presented to her by Archbishop Anthony Sablan Apuron during the Eucharistic celebration commemorating her 50th year Jubilee as a Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration. Hundreds attended her Jubilee Mass Sunday, August 1 at St. Jude Church, Sinajana. (Photo by Tony C. Diaz)
Some people look for treasure deep in the ocean or buried beneath the earth. Others think a high-paying job and powerful position are the gems that will make them sparkle in life.
Some pursue money, material possessions or pleasurable activities as things that would enrich their lives.
Sister Gloria Crisostomo Aguon chose none of those things. She chose the greatest treasure of all: Serving Christ and helping others.
Surrounded by hundreds of relatives, friends and former students, Sister (Juan Marie) Gloria celebrated her golden jubilee as a devoted member of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration during the 10:30 a.m. Mass Sunday, August 1 at St. Jude Church in Sinajana.
Archbishop Anthony Sablan Apuron celebrated the jubilee Mass alongside St. Jude Pastor Palé Gus Gumataotao and other clergy.
During a Sunday where the Gospel of Luke stressed, “being rich in what matters to God,” there stood Sister Gloria in the front pews with her priceless smile and a heart of gold.
Expounding on the Gospel where Jesus pointedly warns people to guard against greed and making material possessions the center of our lives, Palé Gus lauded Sister for choosing the path of service over worldly goods.
During his homily, he spoke of her 50-year legacy teaching children and families about the richness of following Christ. Sister Gloria has spent most of her years teaching generations of Guam’s students at the old St. Jude School and now Bishop Baumgartner. She’s also guided scores of children – and their children – in the CCD program of St. Jude parish as both coordinator and teacher.
“She has prepared countless children in our parish to receive the Sacraments,” said Palé Gus. “And she still does that. Sister Gloria is spreading the Gospel message to all the children, up to this day.”
“Today we honor a very simple woman who just wanted to give her life by following the footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi and with a special devotion to this Blessed Sacrament,” said Palé Gus.
“We congratulate Sister on this day,” he said. “Truly the Gospel means so much to you, for the treasure that you stored was not the treasure that mattered through worldly possessions.”
“Our happiness is not guaranteed by our possessions,” continued the Capuchin friar. “Sister Gloria knew this truly… she knew that what mattered was the treasure that was important to God and that is why she has given her life.”
“Today we ask God to bless her for the many gifts that she has given us but also because she has received so many from all of you.”
After the homily, Archbishop Anthony called Sister Gloria up to the altar where she renewed her religious vows. The archbishop also presented the woman of God with a replica of the statue of beloved Santa Marian Kamalen and asked all people present to extend their arms forward in unison during a blessing of the dedicated religious sister.
Adorned with flower leis and wearing white, standing with family members at the front pew, Sister Gloria smiled in humble gratitude.
At the end of the Mass, Archbishop Anthony asked for a show of hands of people who had been students of Sister Gloria or whose children had been her students. Many people raised their hands.
One of them was Josh Aguon. The 23-year-old Office Manager for St. Jude parish told The Pacific Voice of Sister Gloria’s impact in his life. He was attending CCD classes at the parish as a second grader when Sister walked into the classroom asked if he was interested in becoming a lector for Sunday Masses.
She saw talent and faith in the seven year-old. With Sister’s guidance, Aguon became a lector at such a young age and in the next 16 years cultivated his faith and has stayed very active in the Church.
“She’s actually been a very big impact in my life, especially with the Church,” said Aguon. “A lot of the things that I do are through her encouragement.”
“She has encouraged me to keep praying, keep participating as much and giving of myself,” added Aguon. “Because it’s the one way that I was taught that you can become closer to Christ. She has told me that many, many times before; that the things that you do when it comes purely from your heart, somehow connects you to God. So I learned a lot of that through her encouragement and I’m still here.”
Sister Gloria had first traveled to Wisconsin in June to celebrate her Golden Jubilee with her sister Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration.
Though she is now the lone Franciscan Sister doing ministry on Guam, she is hardly alone.
She has her blood family, her family of priests and religious and most certainly all the faithful in the Church.
Sister Gloria took her religious vows 50 years ago and taught the primary grades for 10 years in Wisconsin in Menomonie, Dodgeville, Boscobel and La Crosse, before returning home to Guam.
RELATED POSTS:
August 8th, 2010 | Tags: