Day for the Poor

Provincia Filippine - Australia - Saipan - Taiwan

Inserita il: 17/12/2013

3 commentario(i) ...

Since day one of his Pontificate, Pope Francis has been repeatedly emphasizing on the Gospel as good news for the poor, challenging the whole Church to embody in our own lives and actions what we claim to believe as a community and as individuals. It is in response to this challenge of Pope Francis that the Pastorelle Sisters in the Philippines thought of organizing “A Day for the Poor” as one of the concrete projects to express our joyful thanksgiving to the Lord for the bountiful blessings of 75 years poured upon our Congregation.

Long before the recent disasters hit our country, the three zonal areas of the Pastorelle Sisters: (Quezon City, Cavite and Northern Luzon) have started to survey around their respective areas the poorest of the poor, that is, the marginalized, ostracized, excluded, abandoned and discarded to make God’s presence among them truly palpable and to give them genuine assurance that He loves them all equally and freely regardless of any merit they may have.

The Quezon City Area (Provincialate-Broadway-Novitiate Communities) held their “Day for the Poor” in the afternoon of September 7, 2013 at the Broadway Compound. They have chosen for their recipients some 50 families from the depressed areas of the Most Holy Redeemer Parish where two of our Sisters are doing their pastoral ministry. While the parents were gathered separately for input on our Congregational history and charism, the children were given team building activities and games which concluded with a joint merienda and distribution of prizes.

The Northern Luzon Area composing of the communities of San Fernando La Union, Lingayen and Alaminos, Pangasinan, met in the morning of November 30, 2013 at the Compound of the Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth at Barangay Urayong, Bauang, La Union, where 69 juvenile inmates ranging from 16-24 years of age are being detained for the following offenses: murder, double homicide, attempted murder, rape, incest rape, sexual assault, car napping, robbery and theft.

Prior to the actual zonal gathering, the Sisters of SFLU gave the boys basic catechesis to prepare them for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Upon arrival, the day started with the games facilitated by the Sisters while waiting for the Eucharistic Celebration presided by Rev. Fr. Edwin Fontanilla, Parish Priest of Bauang, La Union. After the Mass, a simple snacks was served to them simultaneously with a short program participated by both the boys and the Sisters. Likewise, a simple packed lunch was distributed to each one together with a small bag of toiletries. Before bidding goodbye, some of the boys personally expressed their deep appreciation for the kindness shown to them. Fr. Edwin promised to return with his catechists for the catechesis of those who have not been baptized. The Youth of Alaminos under the supervision of Sr. Ophelia Corpuz, have planned to hold their own Christmas Party together with the inmates to make their Christmas away from home a little merrier and more meaningful.

Lastly, the Cavite Area (Tanza and 3 Imus communities) held their own “Day for the Poor” in collaboration with the Student Government of Jesus Good Shepherd School who went instead to the “Tahanan ni Maria” (Mary’s Home) in Carmona, Cavite on December 14, 2013 where about 45 elderly men and women are housed. This was meant to arouse also in our students the social consciousness on the reality of the ‘poor’ around so as to make a difference in their Christian commitment. The students prepared a short program for the elderlies and a small gift for each of them out of their daily savings. The 4 communities of the Pastorelle Sisters sponsored instead the simple merienda with the sacks of rice for everyone and small gift items distributed to them individually.

“No one is so poor that he cannot give,

and no one is so rich that he cannot receive.” - John Paul II

Sisters of Cavite Area

Leggi i commenti

Lucia Piai

18/12/2013 | 15:08

Thank'you for your experience with the people. God bless you

sonia

18/12/2013 | 12:38

Merveillé! Congratulations a vous! Io ho tanto amato les fotos, vedere les sorelles insiemme au peuple pauvres; gazie por votre testemunho!

sr Rita

18/12/2013 | 08:16

Yes, the love and compassion of the Good Shepherd manifested in 101 ways ensuring that signs of life and love be manifested to the least and the poor. Thank you for sharing this meaningful experience!