Foundation: 25 January 1993 Parish/Diocese: Divine Mercy Parish Diocese of Laoag Address: Daughters of Divine Zeal Rogate Oasis Purok Silaw Navotas 2900 Laoag City PHILIPPINES Mobile/Cell Phone: (0063) 0916 355 0928

From the desert shall spring forth life-giving water...

Here amidst the sand dunes, there comes forth an oasis, a place that refreshes and gives life not only to thirsty throats but more importantly to people who are thirsting for an encounter with their Creator and Lord.

The Rogate Oasis, what this place has come to be called, has celebrated its tenth Foundation Anniversary. In this special moment, let us look back and see how the Lord has blessed this house through the years...

In 1989, Mother Gilda Lo Conti and some Sisters saw this place, this piece of land and envisioned a haven of prayer to be built on it. This dream became a reality when they were able to buy this land. It was soon blessed by Fr Rabang and was also blessed by the presence of Bishop Edmunda Abaya who came to see this land.

In 1990, a plan was drawn as to how this place would be organised. Then the construction started, the fences were put up first, then the roads and finally the building that would house the Sisters' community. There were many generous people who helped us during this time when the property was being constructed. Even the people of Navotas came to extend their help.

On 07 October 1992 - the feast of the Holy Rosary - Mang Masong, the foreman of the construction, turned the house over to the Sisters. It was ready to be occupied. The days afterwards, Fr Jet Cabajog, now the Bishop of Surigao, came with some priests from Bohol for their recollection. Since then, hundreds have come here to spend days or weeks in prayer, experiencing the nearness of God in the beauty of nature. Young people from different schools and youth groups have come and stayed at our campsite for prayer and fellowship.

On 25 January 1993 - the feast of the conversion of St Paul and the anniversary of the death of Mother Nazarena, our co-foundress - there was a "Eucharistic celebration presided by Fr Rock Bonoan... and Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament came to stay in our midst forever". With the permanent presence of Jesus, this house was officially founded. Sr Marilyn Felizardo and Sr Rosalinda Legisan were the first two Sisters who were officially designated to stay at Rogate Oasis.

The Navotas Community is involved in the following Apostolic activities:

• Retreat House.
• Pastoral Ministry in the Village.