My dear sisters and brothers:

THANK YOU again for your presence and participation during our Prayer Service last Monday, November 18 at St. Joseph’s Church. I thought we had a beautiful gathering and many people who came commented and thanked us for including and welcoming them to be part of the Prayer Service. This Prayer Service brought a sense of completion to myself. Now, I feel, WE have done something concrete for the victims and survivors aside from the monetary donations. It brought a sense of relief that we are not alone on this journey.

AS we are all very aware of, the destruction brought by the Super Typhoon Haiyan is huge. But the love and care of our loving God is seen through the generosity and thoughtfulness of people like those who came last night and like yourselves too. All these brings consolation to me. I am certain it brings the same to the most affected ones.

The Church collection counters have just finished counting all the collection received to date. The total is $ 8,901.36 and Php. 4,120. As announced earlier, all money collected will be sent to the Philippines through the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace. The parish secretary will facilitate that transfer tomorrow. Of course we are aware of the fact that the Canadian Government will match our donations until December 9, 2013.

Having mentioned all of these, I think this is not over yet. WE have just begun an action as a group to do something for our fellow human beings, fellow Filipinos. I hope this will continue. The way to restoration, rebuilding and recovery is long and therefore, let’s continue to work as to how we can help the survivors.

Most of you are aware that June Anagap Molabola is going home next month, December 2013. His family and relatives also live in a village that was badly affected. I hope now that we were able to do something that respects the law of the land, we can now do something with respect to the other proposal during our first meeting – to donate to an individual whose family is directly affected. NOW, I encourage us to also do something for June, whose proximity is very close to us.

I thank June’s employer, Cindy Palmer for her braveness and good heart to initiate this “Support Auction” with the goal of directly helping June’s family and other people affected in his village. I ask us to support this cause. I am sure it will make a huge impact to June’s family, his relatives and neighbors.

June, please know that you are one of the people close in my heart as I pray everyday.

Once again, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. We have again proven to ourselves that even just for an hour or so, we can all come together, be united in prayer, and set aside differences.

God bless you all. Mabuhay po kayong lahat. Maramning Salamat po. Ipagpatuloy po natin ang ating nasimulan.