Canonization of Mother Marie Eugenie
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Third Super-Typhoon On Its Way To The Philippines, October 19, 2009
A third super-typhoon, "Lupit" (international codename), threatens to hit northern Philippines, only weeks after two other typhoons -- Ondoy and Pepeng -- submerged most of Manila and surrounding areas, and caused massive flooding and landslides in the north. Again our Sisters are in the middle of relief efforts, trying to offer as much help as possible, while incurring considerable damage to their own schools and convents. Sr. Regina Victoria continues to update us on the state of things. (see below)
If you would like to send a donation to help the Sisters help the typhoon victims, you may send it to:
Religious of the Assumption
Attention: Sr. Nuala Cotter, RA
11 Old English Road
Worcester, MA 01609
Please make checks payable to Religious of the Assumption and write "Philippine Typhoon Fund" in the memo line. Your donation will be acknowledged and is tax deductible.
Let us keep the people of the Philippines and all victims of natural disasters in our prayer.
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From Sr. Regina Victoria, R.A.
San Lorenzo, Philippine-Thailand Province
October 15, 2009
Sisters Fe, Melania and I were able to leave Baguio in a DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) van with an alumna who works in government. The ten hour ride gave us a dramatic panorama of destruction: mountains, infrastructure, agricultural lands, lives! We met so many funeral processions along the way as it was time to bury loved ones from the Cordillera down to La Union and Pangasinan.
In Baguio, we turned over specific needs for relocation and rehabilitation of the badly affected families of our baranggay (immediate neighborhood) to the Cordillera Department of Social Welfare and we know prompt service will be delivered as genuine concern now reigns everywhere. This is further assured by our alumnae in government who are all working hard, too. Café-by the Ruins continues to be a channel of relief operations. (Assumption) Class ‘67 alumnae just sent a plane-load of medicine, blankets, etc. to Mitos Benitez who is still on full-time work with her volunteers in the remote areas of Benguet.
Meanwhile we are all concerned with our Baguio convent because Ramil is expected to hit the whole Northern Luzon this Wednesday night (Oct. 22) with stronger force than Pepeng. While a temporary canvass shield has been put up, we know massive work awaits as we are dealing with the foundation of our chapel itself and the area that goes up to our grotto. This is God’s house. We know we need to listen to him a lot as we go about our work.
October 18, 2009
Old Girls’ Day (Alumnae reunion) in San Lorenzo. The Silver Jubilarians awakened and expanded our common heartfelt desire to “put ourselves in our people’s shoes”. The soul-filled (velada) program ended with Maitel Minana, Sandy Prieto and Vina Concepcion solemnly addressing all to “be one with us…as we put on the next pair of shoes in the next journey that lies ahead” and with their whole batch, took off their shoes to “feel the earth that we want to walk with our people!” Tears on stage and way past Mother Rose Hall convinced me that they won’t end there. Chinit (Rufino) and I offered to “catch” this powerful emotion by offering a “post-velada” process at the Marie Eugenie Institute this Thursday. We want to respond to their need for accompaniment as they try to fit into the sandals of Jesus on their way home to different parts of the Philippines and abroad. Be with us on this day with your prayers.
Meanwhile tons and tons of food and other goods are arriving from the UN and from countries around the world. Financial aid has started to arrive to address immediate needs. Our own Assumption family all over the world (sisters, alumnae, friends) continue to send help. Pinky V, Millete O, Sisters Fe and Ana Maria are in constant communication and coordination. At this point, we want to move to the rehabilitation stage. As there are many groups helping now in repair, reconstruction and relocation in Metro Manila, we would like to help in the rehabilitation of our rice bowl of Luzon. Concretely, this means helping farmers get started with a sack-full of rice seed (what they need for one hectare) so they can plant again before January. We have trusted alumnae contacts and other organizations who can facilitate this operation. A sack of rice seed costs 1,200 pesos and we invite all students, staff, parents, alumnae, friends who want to help rebuild our food bowl to foresee the most basic need when this flow of relief goods will come to an end.
Thank you for all who responded so generously to our people’s pains. Pain and compassion serve as great equalizers. More and more I believe God’s reign is making a good landing on our wet, wet soil.
