I still remember vividly the day my youngest sister Yvonne

D. Romualdez (HS'86) shared with me the beautiful

stories she heard about the Community of Lay Assumption
(CLAY). Her news touched me deeply. I wanted so much to
be a part of it. Attending to family business consumed my
being back then, full time, day to day. But God must have
seen the yearning in my heart. A year later he started to
move my world around.
One morning my husband Benny surprised me.
"Honey
I
think its time for us to move to
55
Ponce Street." I was
ecstatic because this house, a most significant gift from
God, is walking distance to Assumption San Lorenzo. After
a renovation period we moved in 2011,
just
in time for me
to attend a CLAY orientation given by Chinit Rufino.
Listening to Chinit moved me to tears. I felt through
Chinit's generous sharing the love of God. Her
joy
radiated
through the entire St. Augustine room captivating my
spirit. Hectic as my life at work was, I was able to attend
the talks, which I looked forward to each time. I enjoyed
the gentle company of CLAY members, our CLAY prayer
circles were magical! From Patricia Herras and Vicky
Pajarillaga I learned the power of perseverance. From
Janice Cadlum (God rest her kind soul) I learned to
consecrate my loved ones to God. From Sister Annunciata
I gained a wealth of encouragement. Our CLAY batch
7
grew in faith and prayer as we laughed at Carmen Prieto's
Godly adventures, listened to inspiring talks given by
Teacher Cory Villafania on
joyful
detachment and Teacher
Marilen Reambillo on humility among many others. AIIthe
while, lnez Polotan, our lovable CLAY head, guided us in
selfless ways. Every other Thursday we reflected on the
teachings of St. Marie Eugenie that I fell so in love with.
As a result of pursuing my Assumption spirituality
through CLAY, I had much to impart to HS
'79
batch
mates. (We call ourselves the Divine Tarts, a monthly
prayer group.) Jesus became more alive in my
everyday life. I was so filled with his grace that my
breast
3b
cancer
journey, which began in January
2or2, became the most
joyful,
and I should say the
most fruitful, adventure of my life! Since God
allowed me in previous years to actively develop my
exterior life, this time my illness allowed me to work
on my interior life. Through successive treatments of
chemotherapy, mastectomy, radiation, Herceptin
infusions and necessary operations, I enjoyed what
Sister IsabelVillacarlos calls a
"honeymoon
with the
Lord."
The blessing of living near Assumption allowed me to
complete the CLAY required talks, attend prayer
circles and retreats, go to daily Mass with the sisters
and receive Holy Communion. The graces I received
were unwavering faith that I would be well along
with great joy
and a positive attitude. God sent me
little miracles each day that led to my spiritual and
physical healing. Through this awesome encounter
God made me experience firsthand His very great
Iove. In
joyful
detachment, I have emerged a humble
servant feeling so loved by her Master, ready to
serve Him for the rest of her life.