Monday, November 25, 2013

1.6M families-typhoon survivors still need basic provisions

Donated sacks of rice are repacked by volunteers.
 
SOME 1.64 million families who survived the devastation wreaked by typhoon Yolanda are still in dire need of basic necessities, according to Caritas Manila. 

Caritas Manila executive director, Fr. Anton Pascual said more than a million families in Palawan, Samar, Leyte, Iloilo, Aklan, Antique, Naval and Cebu are still short of basic provisions.

At least around 85,000 relief food bags with additional medicines, hygiene and household items have already been distributed by Caritas to the provinces of Aklan – 3,500; Antique – 1, 604; Capiz – 5,750; Cebu – 7,000; Samar – 11,641; Iloilo – 8,150; Masbate – 3,130; Naval – 5,725; Palawan – 11,000; and Leyte – 27,501.

Caritas’ campaign for donation is ongoing especially for basic provisions such as rice, biscuits, bottled water, coffee, canned goods, soap, toothpaste, new underwear, cooking ware, beddings, tool boxes, working/school clothes, crucifix/rosaries. 

Hundreds of volunteers turn up every day at the San Carlos Seminary gymnasium, the temporary warehouse and repacking center of Caritas Manila to prepare the relief goods for distribution.  
 

According to Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, the Manila archdiocese is planning long-term assistance for rehabilitation of the people and the areas. 

The campaign drive for Yolanda survivors as of Nov. 21 has garnered cash donations of 14 million pesos from parishes, lay people, organizations, corporations and foreigners. 

The amount does not include donations and pledges that are still being verified and also the second collections of two Sundays from several parishes.  

Msgr. Rolando de la Cruz, parish priest of San Fernando de Dilao Parish, said the special collection held during the Prayer Service and Holy hour for those affected by the recent calamities at the San Fernando de Dilao last Nov. 16 wherein Cardinal Tagle, the deacons and priests also put in their offerings, has collected Php 97,000. 

The parish finance council contributed Php 3,000 more to round off the donation to Php100,000.  

As of Nov. 22, Caritas has total donations of Php 38M in cash and Php 5M in kind, according to Pascual. 

Those who wish to donate for Yolanda survivors may send their donations to CARITAS MANILA, INC. Trunkline: 562-0020 to 25; Fax No: 563-9306; Email: cm@caritasmanila.org.ph; Bank Accounts: BPI S/A 3063-5357-01; BDO S/A 5600-45905; Metrobank S/A 175-3-17506954-3UNIONBANK or logon to www.rcam.org.  
 

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Young people urged to use social media power to transform digital world

TODAY’S young people have in them the power that can transform the internet as a place of solidarity if they use their online presence to support one another, the secretary of the Pontifical Commission on Social Communication, said. 

“You are the people that make up the social media. You are the people that make up the community of the internet. Use your power, your voice, your talents, your abilities to make social media a place of solidarity,” Msgr Paul Tighe told mostly young participants during the closing Mass of the Catholic Social Media Summit, November 24.  

“We often talk about the power of the internet, the power of social media,” Tighe said.

“And many of you have the red t-shirt and written on the back of it is ‘I’ve got the power’. So you’re claiming you do have power because you have power by your presence in social media. And the real question again is how will you use that power.” 

He urged the young people to transform social media as a “place where we look up for one another, where we support one another, where we care for one another.” 

He told them to collectively resist the temptation to use the power of social media to promote oneself in order to become popular, well liked and become a celebrity. 

Instead, he said one’s choices should be to think more of others and less of oneself. 

“And that’s what we need and should try to keep alive, not just in our online presence, but in everyday of our life,” he said.  

Tighe noted that if one tends to become self absorbed, that person would end up very lonely, whereas if one is attentive to the needs of others, “then am building up something good; assuring a world where there is place for everybody.” 

He admitted though that it is not always easy to be a person for others, but he said from the Lord comes the power and the strength to do so.  

“Our strength comes not from ourselves but by unifying ourselves, by making ourselves one with the sacrifice of Christ, by knowing that his example, his continued presence gives us the energy, the source of our strength,” he said.  

“He is the one who is with us. So when you wear that t shirt, and say ‘I’ve got the power’, the power is not on your back. The power is in your heart. Because the power is in the presence of Jesus, strengthening you particularly in community and in gathering,” he furthered.  

Tighe keynoted the Catholic Social Media Summit that was held at the Colegio de San Juan de Letran, November 23-24. It was organized by YouthPinoy in collaboration with the Episcopal Commission on Youth and the CBCP Media Office.
 

Power in leadership should be used for service—Vatican official


THE power that comes with being a leader is not meant to be used for one’s own interests but to serve and reach out to others, a Vatican official said.

Reflecting on the gospel reading on today’s feast of Christ the King, Msgr. Paul Tighe, secretary of the Pontifical Council for Social Communication, said Jesus’ idea of kingship is “all about service, of reaching out to others, not about looking after one’s own interests.” 

Tighe presided on November 24 the closing Mass of the Catholic Social Media Summit at the Colegio de San Juan de Letran, which also coincided with the feast of the Christ the King and the closing of the Year of Faith. 

He said that by his example, Jesus has given a representation of the power that comes with authority and how it should be lived, different from the way the world perceives it. 

Tighe noted the way of Jesus is of “giving yourself, of not controlling, not dominating, not having power but of giving yourself and spending yourself in the service of others.” 

“So Jesus was recovering a different form of leadership, a different way of thinking, a different way of being powerful,” he said. 

The resignation of Pope Benedict from the papacy is one example of using the power of the office at the service of the Church, Tighe noted. 

Pope Benedict “relinquished the power, because he was not sure he had the strength, the physical ability any longer to do what was required. He saw that the service of being pope was not about himself but about building up the church,” Tighe said.  “He did it because he saw his power and his office as being all about service.” 

Pope Francis has also defined his own way of being a leader, a way of having power through his simplicity, of reaching out to the sick and going to those who have been cast aside, Tighe noted.

The examples that Benedict XVI and Pope Francis have shown may tempt us to point fingers to our political leaders and say they also should be different.

Instead the question we should ask, according to Tighe, is what does having this power mean for each of us.

“Usually we are not inclined to think of ourselves as powerful. We are not inclined to think ourselves as wealthy, as having huge authority, but we have to remember we are exceptionally privileged, we are a people who have a gift of faith, and by and large, we are a people with life with certain benefits, certainly there are people who are poorer who are in greater need than we are,” he said.  

He said the real test of who we are as persons would depend on how we use the little power that we have in us when we interact with people.  

 “Are we attentive to the people who are begging in our streets? It’s not that we can have money always for them, but to always see in them their dignity and their worth. How do I treat the less fortunate?”

He said our attitude and the way we treat people becomes the hallmark of the kind of person that we are.
 

Friday, November 22, 2013

Palma commends Pinoys’ indomitable spirit amid adversity

Hernani, Eastern Samar. (Photo by Roy Lagarde/CBCPNews)

THE recent calamities that struck the country may have severely tested the faith of Filipinos, but these also demonstrated their indomitable spirit amid adversity, a high ranking Church official said.

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma said the twin calamities that recently happened have also tested the Filipinos spirit of community and concern for others who are in need. 

The earthquake that happened last Oct, 15 followed by typhoon Yolanda on Nov. 8 have brought so much devastation and sorrow on the lives of people, particularly those living in the islands of Bohol, Cebu, Leyte and Samar. 

In a pastoral statement, Palma said the universal celebration of the Year of Faith, which culminates on Nov. 24, is a call to a deeper exercise of “our faith by putting our trust in the Lord and reaching out to help each other.”  

He stressed that through the precious gift of faith that each one received, “we shall overcome adversities with charity,” and “as we pray we shall rise with courage and renewed hope for the future.”  

Palma, who is finishing his term as head of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines on Nov. 30 underscored the charity and compassion showed by people who are in safer areas who brought food, water, medicine and other relief goods to help the survivors.  

He also noted how families and communities generously opened their doors to welcome those displaced by the calamities and care for those who have taken refuge.   

“It is inspiring to see convoys of vehicles bearing relief goods and materials as manifestations of solidarity and a life of charity. There may be less of good cheer this Christmas for many, but the Christmas spirit did come early this year,” he said. 

Palma also acknowledged the help of international communities who responded immediately to the situation with humanitarian aid. 

“Our profound gratitude goes to the foreign media, who brought to the world’s attention the plight of our countrymen. We thank the government and foreign institutions who have sent aid and expression of solidarity,” he said.

Palma hoped that the magnitude of devastation brought by the natural calamities would at least lead to the country’s more systemic approach in the future to mitigate the effects of typhoon and other natural disasters.

“We believe we shall emerge from these situations with more awareness of the pattern of nature and hopefully learn its lessons. By strengthening the systems and institutions that mitigate the effects of these forces of nature, we can avoid the recurrence of the present tragedy,” he said.  

“The culmination of the Year of Faith makes us trust in the God of love and mercy, the God who points to a tomorrow much better than today,” Palma said. “For our part, knowing the dream and love in people’s hearts, we need to pick up the pieces of our lives, help each other to rise again and take up the journey of rebuilding our communities.” 

Speak the language of digital natives, Vatican official tells CSMS paricipants

Msgr. Paul Tighe (Photo: Roy Lagarde/CBCPNews)

TO effectively evangelize the digital world, it is necessary that we have to speak in a language that is understandable to today’s generation, a Vatican representative said.

Msgr. Paul Tighe, secretary of the Pontifical Commission on Social Communication in the Vatican, talked about the importance of understanding the language of today’s digital world in today’s media summit at the Colegio de San Juan de Letran.

The keynote speaker at the Catholic Social Media Summit version2, Msgr. Tighe spoke  to more than 200 participants the challenges that confront the Church in the digital culture and of understanding the digital language, among other things, so as to communicate effectively the word of God to today’s social media generation.

“If we are to share to Good News with our brothers and sisters in the ‘digital continent’, we must speak a ‘language’ they can understand and be present as authentic witnesses to our faith,” he said.

He said our communication can touch people’s hearts only if we are able “to listen to them and engage seriously with their questions.” 

“We are the ones to engage the people, we need to the tell people that power, popularity, beauty, wealth will not satisfy our life,” he said.

Tighe challenged participants to become good citizens of the digital world, open to dialogue and to witness to a life that is consistent with evangelization, emphasizing that the language of digital and social communications as being conversational, interactive and dialogical. 

He emphasized the need for convergence and of working together for the church because “we have a Goodnews to share.” 

“We would only become effective communicators, if we ourselves allow the word of God to work in our lives,” he said.
 

Friday, November 15, 2013

Church marks jubilee transporting relief goods to survivors



Roman Catholic nuns, nurses and protestant and Roman Catholic volunteers line up to pass relief goods for loading a truck headed for the survivors of typhoon Yolanda at the compound of the National Council of Churches in the Philippines. (Photo: ACT/Sandra Cox)

THE National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) celebrated its 50th jubilee of foundation doing relief operations for survivors of typhoon Yolanda.

The country’s biggest group of mainline Protestant and Non-Roman Catholic churches, on November 15 commemorated its founding anniversary packing and transporting relief goods for typhoon survivors.

 “We decided to tone down the commemoration of our jubilee in solidarity with our people who have faced the wrath of the storm,” said NCCP General Secretary, Fr. Rex RB. Reyes, Jr.

 “Instead of a grand celebration, we have transformed our commemoration into an act of solidarity with those who are suffering,” he said.

The NCCP has been actively distributing food and water in Samar since the impact of the devastation became known.

Their compound in EDSA has become a relief center where volunteers are working day and night to repack goods for distribution to the affected areas. 

“Today we will remember our jubilee by committing ourselves to intensify our relief efforts not just for the immediate situation but also for longer-term rehabilitation,” said Reyes.

According to Reyes “responding to the needs of the people” has been a significant part of the NCCP’s work since it was first established in 1963.

“It is sad that our people are suffering but it is in keeping with our basic identity as a National Council of Churches that as we come to celebrate fifty years of our existence, the Lord of the Church should find us busy in the service of those in need,” Reyes said.

The NCCP is a member of the ACT Alliance which is a global network of churches and church related organizations affiliated with the World Council of Churches and the Lutheran World Federation engaged in humanitarian work, advocacy and development work.

The ACT Philippine Forum is composed of Christian Aid, Lutheran World Relief, United Methodist Church Committee on Relief (UMCOR), Interchurch Organization for Development Cooperation (ICCO) and Hilfswerk der Evangelischen Kirchen Schweiz (HEKS).

NCCP is presently forum coordinator and is working closely with its partners in bringing relief and rehabilitation services to affected communities. 

Pinoy priest flies home from Rome to be with family in Tacloban


A FILIPINO priest who is taking ecclesiastical studies in Rome has flown back to the Philippines to be with his family in typhoon ravaged Tacloban.

Fr. Erwin Balagapo, a priest from the Archdiocese of Palo is back in the country to head home where his presence is “needed most”, according to an interview by romereports.com, Nov. 13.

For days after typhoon Yolanda sowed massive destruction on Eastern Visayas, Balagapo was uncertain of his family’s fate, not knowing whether they survived the devastation or not.

“Before the typhoon struck, I spoke with my family, specifically with my sister. My parents were also there, the night before the storm hit. They said, 'it's sunny and calm right now, but we're prepared,” Balagapo said during the interview.

However, the images of massive destruction he saw on the internet left him worried about the safety of his family and friends back home.

“I have my congregation and my parents on my mind. So right away, I looked for ways to get in touch with them. I called my archbishop, I called the priests who are there. I also saw on the Internet a photo of one of my colleagues at the seminary. They're searching for him. Now, I've spent five days without any news from them. Of course, I pray so that they're OK. But with 10,000 people dead... ” 

Luckily for Balagapo, hours before he left Rome for Manila, he got a brief call from his brother telling him they are alive.

The priest said he is aware of the spiritual needs of the people as they cope with their loss, but he also voiced out his fear of seeing the grim reality of what happened to his city and what he is going to do when he reach Tacloban.

 “They told me that if people see a priest, they will ask for blessings. I can imagine the type of help that as a priest I can provide. I'm scared. I don't know what awaits me there, in my home."

"But I hope to see my parents. I'm picturing now my mother's face, my father's, my sister who was here, and my brother, who's in Bohol helping. Then there's my nephew. But in the end, it's in God's hands, right? It may not be easy to say it, but it is the Year of Faith, after all, right?” Balagapo said.

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Tagle calls for day of prayer, fasting for typhoon victims



Photo: Roy Lagarde/CBCP Media
MANILA Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle has called for a day of prayer and fasting in the Archdiocese of Manila in solidarity with typhoon victims.

In a letter addressed to the clergy, religious and faithful in the archdiocese, Tagle urged everyone to spend the whole day of Saturday, November 16 in penance, recollection and fasting.

Called a “Day of LAMENT and HOPE: Solidarity in Prayer” (Panaghoy at Pag-asa: Damayan sa Panalangin), the day of prayer is an expression of communion and solidarity with fellow Filipinos “who are suffering, grieving and confused because of the successive calamities that afflicted the country.”

Tagle will lead a prayer service and Holy Hour at 8 p.m. at the San Fernando de Dilao Parish church, Paco, Manila, the temporary official church of the Archdiocese of Manila. 
  
In a separate message released earlier, Tagle expressed his solidarity with the typhoon victims even as he encouraged everyone to show concern and console the suffering.

We are one with our suffering brothers and sisters. You are not alone and will never be alone,” Tagle assured victims of Typhoon Yolanda.

On November 10, two days after Yolanda struck Eastern and Western Visayas, Tagle called on the clergy to conduct a special collection to aid typhoon victims.

He also called for mobilization and coordination of efforts among parochial schools, religious communities in helping those affected by the calamity.

The cardinal said that in times of disaster, one should think less of oneself and more of others.

“It is a time to console and embrace our neighbors. It is a time to show a love that is stronger than an earthquake or a typhoon. With this love, human lives would be restored and our nation rebuilt,” Tagle said.