Statement for Development: Sewing Mothers (Pictures from Fr. Maurice)
Almost a year ago, I have written t you about the situation of 15 mothers in Kinshasa. I have spoken to you about their misery and their desire to do something about their unpleasant economic situation. Today, your generous help have provided a welcome relief to their situation.
The pictures below speak more than what I can say. Fr. Maurice is happy to show you that these mothers are now learning to sew and soon will be sewing many types of clothes. Through your help, I can say with great confidence that these mothers have been given the chance to help themselves get out of the grip of misery. Your help is not just a one-time help but also a lifetime of investment that will not only help these mothers but also their children. I can say that they can now pass on this skill to their children. You have not given them the fish but you taught them how to fish.
Statement for Education: Children of Sunflower in Baguio
The print and broadcast media have reported many accounts of abandoned, neglected, and abused children all over the world. We rejoice when we hear a happy ending, as many families are willing and open to adapt these children. We are also full of hope when we hear that some charitable organizations welcome some others as these children await an open door for them. Missionhurst-CICM is no stranger to such reality. Our founder, Fr. Theophile Verbist, was a chaplain of the Holy Childhood in Belgium before founding Missionhurst-CICM. When our founders arrived in China, one of their missionary endeavors was to open orphanages that welcome the unwanted children during that time.
One of our founder’s dreams finds a continuation in the ministry of Fr. Gerardo Costa. Fr. Gerardo, with the help of St. Louis University, has opened a Sunflower Center to welcome and provide a safe haven to many abandoned boys in the northern part of the Philippines.
The Sunflower Center is now a recognized institution in the northern part of the Philippines that not only provide home but also a center that nurtures every child. The center now provides an opportunity to help these children develop their God-given talents, they are given the opportunity to go to school and expand their knowledge, the center also provides an avenue to help these children recover from the trauma of their lives. You, dear friends, have given them hope and life.
Statement for Relief and Health-Care: Feeding Program in Kasayi
We are so blessed with so many things in our lives. We have food to partake with the members of the family around every family’s table. Perhaps, we have never experience how it feels to be hungry. We have never run out of food. The experience of the people in Kasayi, Congo is the opposite of what we experienced here. They worry about where to get the next meal.
There is so much hunger all over the world. Missionhurst-CICM is helping one person at a time satisfy his or her hunger. In Kasayi, Congo, Fr. Francis Nsapo has continued the program began by Fr. Oscar Nkolo to feed the hungry who comes to the feeding center. The picture that Fr. Francis wants to show to us speaks volume of the success and benefit many people are getting. Together, we may never be able to solve world’s hunger but we have to begin somewhere. We are reminded of the words of Jesus, “Give tem something to eat.” I believe that you heard these words and responded by helping us continue this feeding program in Kasayi. Thank you so much.
Statement for Pastoral:
Our CCD programs in the United States have given so many children, young people and adults the opportunity to learn and deepen their understanding and appreciation of their faith. A testament to that is the number of many who have benefitted from CCD who are giving back to the church by becoming a volunteer CCD catechist.
Missionhurst-CICM values the tremendous contributions of the many lay people in the missions. They have been our closest co-missionaries, like you. In recognition of their God-given vocation to help the missions, Missionhurst-CICM is providing avenues for our lay collaborators to attend formation programs to deepen their knowledge and love for Christ. They are given the opportunity to learn different skills so that they can become effective representatives and leaders of prayers, catechist in their different communities. Thanks to you, dear friend, that Fr. Enrique and Fr. Roman are able to continue their on-going lay formation program. The many basic christen communities in their parish are represented by these lay people in nurturing the faith of their communities. Imagine how the message of Jesus is proclaimed to every corner of the world through these devoted and dedicated lay men and women. Like Jesus who chose his disciples to work with him in proclaiming his message – Come Follow Me – our missionaries too are saying to our lay people – you too go to my vineyard!
Jesus has called you many times in the past and still calls you again and again – “you to go to my vineyard.” Yes, my dear friend, you have already responded and continue to respond to his call as you open your heart to the needs of the mission and our missionaries. Yes, you have responded as you shared your time praying for us. Yes, you have gone to the mission as you provide water that quenched the thirst of every child, every mother and father. Yes, you have been in the vineyard as you fed every hungry stomach. Yes, you have been in the mission by co-missioning with us – Missionhurst-CICM. May our friendship and partnership continue as we start a new journey towards Jesus and His mission.
