Franciscan Apostolic Sisters
Encyclopedia
The Franciscan Apostolic Sisters (F.A.S.) is a Roman Catholic religious congregation that was founded in the Philippines
in 1953 by Father Gerardo Z. Filippeto, O.F.M.. Father Gerardo was a missionary
in the remote Northeastern region of the nation. He founded this congregation of Franciscan tertiary
Sisters to help in the work of the missions and spreading the Gospel
in that region.
They were given diocesan approval as a religious community on December 8, 1964, by the local bishop
, the Most Reverend
Teodulfo Domingo, of the then-Diocese of Tuguegarao. On May 18, 1996, they were formally established as a Congregation of Diocesan Right in the now-Archdiocese of Tuguegarao by his successor, Archbishop
Diosdado Talamayan
.
The Motherhouse
is located in Cagayan
, the Philippines
. The Sisters serve in various ministries
, such as assisting in parishes and mission stations, as well as working in the local seminary
and providing health care to the sick.
In 1992, the Sisters established a house in the Diocese of Lincoln
in the United States
at St. Joseph Parish in York, Nebraska
, where they serve as teachers and pastoral care
ministers. Six years later, in 1998, they were requested to help at St. Gregory the Great Seminary in Seward, Nebraska
.
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
in 1953 by Father Gerardo Z. Filippeto, O.F.M.. Father Gerardo was a missionary
Missionary
A missionary is a member of a religious group sent into an area to do evangelism or ministries of service, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care and economic development. The word "mission" originates from 1598 when the Jesuits sent members abroad, derived from the Latin...
in the remote Northeastern region of the nation. He founded this congregation of Franciscan tertiary
Tertiary
The Tertiary is a deprecated term for a geologic period 65 million to 2.6 million years ago. The Tertiary covered the time span between the superseded Secondary period and the Quaternary...
Sisters to help in the work of the missions and spreading the Gospel
Gospel
A gospel is an account, often written, that describes the life of Jesus of Nazareth. In a more general sense the term "gospel" may refer to the good news message of the New Testament. It is primarily used in reference to the four canonical gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John...
in that region.
They were given diocesan approval as a religious community on December 8, 1964, by the local bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
, the Most Reverend
Most Reverend
The Most Reverend is a style applied to certain religious figures.*In the Roman Catholic Church , all bishops are styled "The Most Reverend", as well as monsignors of the rank of protonotary apostolic de numero.*In the Roman Catholic Church , archbishops are styled "The...
Teodulfo Domingo, of the then-Diocese of Tuguegarao. On May 18, 1996, they were formally established as a Congregation of Diocesan Right in the now-Archdiocese of Tuguegarao by his successor, Archbishop
Archbishop
An archbishop is a bishop of higher rank, but not of higher sacramental order above that of the three orders of deacon, priest , and bishop...
Diosdado Talamayan
Diosdado Talamayan
The Most Reverend Diosdado A. Talamayan, D.D., Ph. D., STD is the Archbishop-emeritus of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Tuguegarao in the province of Cagayan, on the island of Luzon, Philippines after his retirement on June 15, 2011...
.
The Motherhouse
Motherhouse
The term motherhouse is used by religious Orders and religious congregations to designate the principal house or community for that group. It can be either for the entire institute or for a region....
is located in Cagayan
Cagayan
Cagayan , the "Land of Smiling Beauty", is a province of the Philippines in the Cagayan Valley region in Luzon. Its capital is Tuguegarao City and is located at the northeastern corner of the island of Luzon. Cagayan also includes the Babuyan Islands to the north. The province borders Ilocos Norte...
, the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. The Sisters serve in various ministries
Christian ministry
In Christianity, ministry is an activity carried out by Christians to express or spread their faith. 2003's Encyclopedia of Christianity defines it as "carrying forth Christ's mission in the world", indicating that it is "conferred on each Christian in baptism." It is performed by all Christians...
, such as assisting in parishes and mission stations, as well as working in the local seminary
Seminary
A seminary, theological college, or divinity school is an institution of secondary or post-secondary education for educating students in theology, generally to prepare them for ordination as clergy or for other ministry...
and providing health care to the sick.
In 1992, the Sisters established a house in the Diocese of Lincoln
Diocese of Lincoln
The Diocese of Lincoln forms part of the Province of Canterbury in England. The present diocese covers the ceremonial county of Lincolnshire.- History :...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
at St. Joseph Parish in York, Nebraska
York, Nebraska
York is a city in York County, Nebraska, in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 7,766. It is the county seat of York County. It is the home of York College and the Nebraska Correctional Center for Women.-Geography:...
, where they serve as teachers and pastoral care
Pastoral care
Pastoral care is the ministry of care and counseling provided by pastors, chaplains and other religious leaders to members of their church or congregation, or to persons of all faiths and none within institutional settings. This can range anywhere from home visitation to formal counseling provided...
ministers. Six years later, in 1998, they were requested to help at St. Gregory the Great Seminary in Seward, Nebraska
Seward, Nebraska
Seward is a city in Seward County, Nebraska, United States. It is part of the Lincoln, Nebraska Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 6,133 at the 2000 census...
.