In Naga one of the sisters set up a basic health scheme which, gradually, came to be run by the people themselves. The community also set up and administered a fund to help needy students continue their education. A number of self-help schemes (such as a co-operative) were started which have born considerable fruit over the years and for which the local people are now responsible. The accompaniment of young people was also a particular concern for this community as also has been the support and animation of women. Our sisters have also been able to offer expertise and assistance for the care and preservation of the environment in this rural and deprived area. Towards the end of 2000, after a time of discernment, the FCJ sisters came to the decision to conclude its ministry in Naga so the community left this part of Mindanao (see below) and moved to Maasin, Southern Leyte, another Cebuano region of the Philippines.

In Manila some sisters have been teaching students at University level which others have been involved in work with the urban poor, especially in some of the most deprived squatter areas. Other sisters work in parishes, raising awareness of the poor in their parish and surrounding areas, and thus eliciting practical ways of being in solidarity with them. The novitiate is also situated in Manila and the City has, over the years offered many opportunities for further studies and ongoing formation.

In Maasin, Southern Leyte, (2000) the sisters have begun to work closely with the Bishop in parish and community building, in catechetics, and in work with the youth and those in prison.

The aim of our sisters working with poor people wherever they are living in the Philippines, has always been to work alongside them, to learn from them, and in turn, to pass on their own skills and expertise to assist them to develop their own ways to a deeper faith and to a better standard of living, and to build a more just and caring society.

We are desirous to share our FCJ charism with the Filipino people. Our sisters are zealous to make our charism known by means of 'search-ins' (meetings to explain the call to religious life), the dissemination of literature and hospitality, particularly to youth. Presently we have two Filipina sisters who are temporarily professed in the Society and one novice. We rejoice that the seed of our FCJ charism has been sown in the Philippines!

Towards the end of 2000, the FCJ sisters left their home and ministry in Naga, Zamboanga Del Sur, having made the difficult decision to move on to another region of the Philippines.

We thank God for our years in Naga; for our friends; for all that we have received; for all that we have been able to contribute in co-operation with the people there. We will never forget this special place.