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We bought an old house that had four families living in and it had been
divided accordingly. On the 1st. December demolition began
of some of the interior
so as to be able to convert this two-storey
building into a Centre for the
children’s groups downstairs and
upstairs for the Livelihood.
There is a possibility that
in time a further floor could be added for the Clinic.
Our
hope was that all the work would be complete by 10th January when the
children came back to School after their Christmas
break.
Local men, along with our small group of men from the Livelihood
became the construction team.
They worked hard and very well and had the majority of work completed on
time for the children to begin their classes.
When we visited the Archbishop (now Cardinal) Rosales, we talked of the
mission and asked if he would come to celebrate the Eucharist and bless
the building. Of course his response was a “Yes”.
What a great joy for the people of this small area of
Maricaban. All was arranged with and through the Parish
Priest, Fr Dave Colang, invitations were given out, arrangements for food
etc were made. We arranged to meet the Bishop at Maricaban Church ,
as the Chapel of San Lorenzo Ruiz is difficult to find.
Banners of ‘Welcome’ – Filipina style were made and put up in the Street
in front of the Chapel.
All along the way,
there were people out to meet the Bishop and
as we arrived at the little Chapel – all the
roads were blocked with cheering people. What a delight for those local
people – the first time for them to have a Bishop
celebrate Eucharist in their little Chapel.
They were very much excited as he
had just been elected as Cardinal. Our Parish Priest,
Fr Antonio Navarette jr, and priests from nearby, the
Religious of the Assumption Sisters and many friends and helpers were
present along with the local people.
After the Eucharist and Blessings there
was sharing together with lunch. In conversation with the Bishop it was
good to hear him say ……”that our building was in keeping
with the area where we work”.
In the new Centre –
programmes for all the children are now held all day and are running
well. The children are divided up into age groupings beginning
with Mother and Babies and Mother and Toddlers
through until 5 years old.
The programmes and teachings are based on the Montessori
method. All those involved with teaching and helping receive
training in the Montessori methods
Upstairs the Livelihood is
functioning well in a more spacious area, also the mens’ programme of
craft making.
The Clinic
is in a rented place on the same Street. This was also Blessed
on the same day by the Bishop. In time it may be possible to
build another floor at the Centre to accommodate the
Clinic.
RENEWAL OF VOWS OF ENASI
KOLOAMATANGI.
“……….For His sake
we enter little by little into a covenant of love, a total consecration
which envelopes every dimension of our lives.”
R.L.69.
We
experienced and lived this with Enasi as she made her Retreat and
preparation for her Renewal of Vows. After her Retreat the
community spent an evening in prayer together before the Blessed Sacrament
asking for blessings on Enasi for her renewal and also ourselves as we too
join in renewing our own commitment.
The celebration was on
the Feast of the Annunciation. A simple but very meaningful
Eucharist celebrated by a Columban Priest, Fr.Michael
Cuddigan. Fe, a young woman who has been helping Enasi with
the children’s classes participated in the Liturgy.
We had a joyous
celebration of meal, music, dance and joy. It was really a
wonderful occasion for us, the first renewal in the Philippines and we
pray it will be followed by many more in the years to
come.
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