Sisters' Profiles
Sr. Jeanne d’Arc Saeko Mera, fmm
Jeanne d’Arc Saeko Mera entered the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary March 15, 1949 in Yokohama, Japan. After pronouncing her final vows September 1, 1956 in Sapporo, Japan, her ministries in Japan were teaching in a Kindergarten in Tenshi from 1956 to 1958, working with children in an orphanage in Kitahiroshima from 1958 to 1966. She obtained a Montessori Certificate in Early Childhood in 1973 and a B.A. in Education in 1979. Her ministry was as a Teacher and Director of Stella Maris Kindergarten in Kobe, Japan.
In 1979 she was sent in mission to the United States to Kennedy Memorial Day School Program in Brighton, MA serving as an Intern and teacher’s aide. She obtained experience in special education and obtained a Master of Arts in Special Education. Throughout her years, her various ministries have been in Montessori education and healing arts. Presently, she continues her healing ministry.
Sr. Philomena Agudo, fmm
Sr. Philomena Agudo entered the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary on June 13,1949 at Legarda, Manila, Philippines. She made her novitiate at Tagaytay, Philippines. After her first vows, March 19, 1952, she taught at Our Lady of Loretto Academy in Legarda, Manila. She also did catechetical work in the public schools and found time every Saturday to minister to the prisoners at the National Penitentiary. She pronounced her final vows on March 19, 1955 in Tagaytay. She was appointed principal of Our Lady of Loretto Academy, Manila in 1955. Seven years later Sr. Philomena was sent to Cebu City to establish Stella Maris School, which included kindergarten to Secondary classes. In 1964 she was missioned to Djakarta, Indonesia where she was assigned as principal of Regina Pacis International School (a secondary school for children of diplomats). In 1967 she was appointed Juniorate Mistress in Bogor, Indonesia. Two years later she became a part-time counselor at Churches’ Counseling Center in Singapore. Sr. Philomena became directress of Hai Sing Dewasa Commercial School for girls in 1970.
Sr. Philomena was sent in mission to the United States to study at Boston University. She graduated in 1975 with a Doctorate degree in Philosophy in Pastoral Psychology and Counseling (PhD).
Her present ministries are counseling, retreat direction, spiritual direction and conducting Scripture classes.
