On Saturday 18 February 2012, staff from the two kindergartens, social services and volunteers, gathered together at the YWCA Fort Canning Lodge to spend an afternoon with Sr Anne Josephine Carr as she shared with us on the life and mission of St Mary Euphrasia. Indeed, we were blessed to have Sr Anne Jo for she is well known for her story telling, who could impart interesting and factual information about the life of our Foundress.

She touched on three main key aspects of her life mainly: Her early childhood; Her role as a leader and the Tunnel experience which signifies the trials and sufferings that she had to endure for the mission and for the love of God.

The staff found Sr Anne Jo’s sharing meaningful and inspiring. Most of us were touched by the love and dedication of St Mary Euphrasia and by her exemplary life, we were also challenged to emulate her and to live her ethos of valuing and respecting every person that we are called to serve. This living legacy is so apt in our broken world of today, where our outreach to the parents, girls and children constantly reminds us to continue her mission of touching lives and building hope for indeed, “One person is of more value than the whole world.”

Besides gaining knowledge and deeper insights into the life of SME, this gathering had also provided us the opportunity to bond and grow in fellowship with one another. Through group sharing and chit-chatting over a cup of coffee/tea, we came to realize our shared vision and mission and that together we can make a difference in the lives of all those we serve.

Of course as in any other Good Shepherd Fellowship, all ends well with a good sumptuous dinner at the Café.

We would like to thank Poh Cheng for organizing this formation session and also to Sr Anne Jo for spending her precious time with us.

By Marie Rose Ng

Principal, Good Shepherd Convent Kindergarten