Diamond, Golden and Silver Jubilee Celebrations of First Profession of Vows
Diamond, Golden and Silver Jubilee Celebrations of First Profession of Vows
August 15th, 2020 was a day to remember in the Institute of the Sisters of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus. On this day, celebrating the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, some members of the Institute celebrated the anniversaries of the their first profession of vows ranging from Silver Jubilee, Golden Jubilee and Diamond Jubilee of their First Profession.
It was a unique one in the life of the Institute where the celebrations took place in the various Parishes and Convents of each of the celebrants. The Institute had four of their Sisters for the Silver Jubilee, one for Golden Jubilee and one for Diamond Jubilee. The Institute recorded a joyous and memorable occasion for all the celebrants. The Superior General of the Institute – Rev. Sr. Dr. Mary Agatha Osarenkhoe, EHJ was in attendance at the Diamond Jubilee celebration of Rev. Sr. Philomena Asanbe at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Ibonwon in Epe – Lagos State. It was indeed a day to remember.
MEET THE CELEBRANTS!
DIAMOND JUBILEE
Rev. Sr. Mary Philomena Kemi Asanbe, EHJ
Rev. Sr. Philomena Asanbe ‘Maama’ as fondly called by all was born on the 17th of July, 1939 at Owase Oka-Akoko in Akoko South West in Ondo State. She joined the Novitiate of the Sisters of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus in January 1957 and at the completion of her training she made her first profession of vows in January 1960. Her final profession of vows was on February 2nd, 1969 and her silver jubilee of religious profession in August 1985.
She did her teacher training course at Nazareth college in Ibonwon from 1960-1961 and got her Grade III and II Teacher’s certificate in 1968. After her preliminary training as a teacher in Nigeria, she was sent to England for further studies in 1972 and 1979.She studied at London University Institute of Education (Digby Stuart College) and received London Certificate in Education in 1975 and Bachelor of Education Degree in Home Economics in 1980.
Sr. Philomena Asanbe has worked and dedicated her life in the service of God through the Institute as a teacher, and gave her greatest time of service for over twenty years at St. Theresa’s Grammar School in Ughelli as a Home Economics (Food and Nutrition) teacher and served as the Vice Principal of the School. She retired from teaching service in 1997, and afterwards worked in Ijebu-Ode Diocese from 1997 to 2002. She faithfully managed the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus’ Bakery, in Ibonwon till 2017.
One of her hobbies which she takes up with a sincere passion is the care of the underprivileged especially the drop outs from secondary schools as well as single mothers and widows, many of which she employed in the bakery. She assists them in skill acquisition and human empowerment.
She is thankful to God who has sustained her all through these years of faithful service to Him. She prays for the grace to remain faithful to God to the end.
