Providing Care for Those in Need

On March 3, 2024, at the University of the Immaculate Conception (UIC) Auditorium Bajada Campus, Davao City, the Pastoral Care of People in need of special attention was launched. The 500 plus attendees included a good representation from each of the Archdiocese of Davao’s 42 parishes. Archdiocesan Social Action Center (ASAC) Director, Rev. Fr. Leonardo Dublan, Jr., led the initiative in keeping with the celebration for the Diamond Jubilee of the Archdiocese of Davao.

After lunch, the members were divided into groups according to the color-coding on their name badges for the Spiritual Conversation that ensued. The organizer designated facilitators for each color group, through Ms. Victoria E. Anghag, Archdiocesan Basic Ecclesia Communities (BEC) Coordinator in order to guarantee that the goal of the group exercise is accomplished.

Each group was given a room as part of the process to encourage conversation and later meet representatives from the designated group of persons who require special care and attention and who will then have the chance to speak with them and hear about their difficulties.

During the first round of spiritual conversation, each member of the group will share thoughts based on the following three guide questions: (1) unsay nakapatandog kanimo sa imong pagpaminaw gikan sa gipaambit sa atong speaker? (2) diha sa imong pagpaminaw, asa ka mas naka relate? (3) isip binunyagan unsa man ang posibleng mahimo nimo sa pagpauli sa inyong parokya? Unsa man ang posibleng mabuhat nimo?

After the yellow group 1st round of conversation, the facilitator welcomed Sr. Ester Morpos from Living the Gospel Community and the head of the Pope Francis House of Mercy Nourishment Center in Bucana, a branch of the Archdiocesan Nourishment Center directed by Msgr. Paul Cuison. Alongside Sr. Ester was her assistant who is a catechist, and two beneficiary children. In addition to providing food, the center’s mission includes spiritual nourishment. Regular catechesis is also conducted.

A ten year old, fourth grader was given the opportunity to share her personal history. The girl stopped sharing, and to the amazement of everyone she started crying. Despite Sr. Ester’s consoling and encouraging words, her tears and sobbing continued. Not too long, Sr. Ester, her assistant and a few members of the group couldn’t help but also be teary-eyed. It was then that the facilitator took over the reading of the kid’s background as the audience was filled with heartbreaking emotions.

God worked right there. In that group, He placed His chosen representatives who will realize the hopes and desires of children. The two members of the Couples for Christ (CFC) core group stood successively, reassuring Sr. Ester and the kids that CFC community will ensure that their aspirations to complete their education come true. They commited to going to the center with the other members of the core group to talk in-depth about the partnership. As a result of the development, the room’s ambiance became lighter. When the second round of conversation started, everyone felt better.

“I’ve seen that the parishes and the government concern agencies are big help to sustain the needs of these under-privileged children particularly in their needs of food, clothing, medicines, shelter, education, and etc.”, Estela A. Ramos, responded when I asked her to share her thoughts. ” We, in the Archdiocese of Davao, Divine Mercy Apostolate, visit from time to time the Nourishment Center in Bucana, bringing things that would make the children happy.”, she added. Estela is a Pangulo Sa Alaga (PSA), a Divine Mercy Apostolate (DMA) Vicariate Coordinator, and a Vocation Promoter Vicariate Coordinator from St. Francis Xavier Parish, Tibungco.

During his closing remarks, ASAC Director, Rev. Fr. Leonardo Dublan, Jr., stated the following three points: (1) naa ang kabug-at sa mga suliran (2) pero naa ang paglaum nga taliwala aning mga kalisdanan, naa ang kahayag isip kabahin sa lawas ni Kristo. (3) Mobuhat kita isip mga piniyalan sa nabanhaw nga Ginoo. Mobuhat pinaagi sa atong capacity.” (Vinny G. Bajo | OLLP SoCCom)