Christmas 2011

The highlight for all the children in our many programs (about 200 in all) was the Christmas Party sponsored by the President and Staff of the Packaging Department of San Miguel Corporation. A great deal of work was undertaken to accomplish a wonderful celebration of the time when we remember the birth of our Saviour Jesus as a tiny baby in Bethlehem.

It was a feat in itself to take to the small chapel where the event was to be held, all the things necessary for the party and the gifts that were to be distributed. There were also gifts for the Livelihood, the library and other programs. A convoy of cars wended its way through the narrow cluttered streets until they arrived at a place near the chapel where they were able to park. Children and parents were already gathering at this time and there were willing helpers to carry things to the Chapel.

After the welcome and prayer, the children were eager to sing and dance for their guests who delighted them by joining in the dancing. Then, of course, came the gift giving to all the different groups. This was still going on when the Jollibee food arrived. The men who delivered this had been lost in the maze of streets and everyone was relieved that they had at last found us.

What a feast they had brought! It was the kind of food that is a wonderful treat for any child fortunate enough to get a trip to Jollibee at any time of the year.

Too soon the San Miguel helpers had to move on to another party leaving a crowd of very happy and excited children to finish their party and go home.

On St. Stephens day, December 26th, the sisters greeted four Assumptionist priests and some of their students from Loyola Heights and Antipolo. This has become an annual Assumption Family event. They come to celebrate Holy Mass on this special day of the anniversary of the birthday of our Founder Stephen Pernet, and to share with us a festive meal. Unfortunately it was not possible for the Religious of the Assumption who live here in Malibay to be with us this year.

After Christmas and the very noisy New Year Celebrations, came the feast of the ‘Black Nazarene’. This is a very old devotion in the Philippines when a life-size statue of Christ carrying his cross is taken in procession through the streets of Manila. A crowd of about 6 million people ( mostly men) accompanied it from the Central Grandstand where mass had been celebrated, back to the church in Quiapo where it is venerated throughout the year. This took about 23 hours because of the crowd. The Festival for Santo Nino ( The Holy Child) followed on this one a short time later. The original statue is in Cebu, but there are replicas wherever you look. Besides seeing it in Churches, it is found in schools, hospitals, shops and offices as well as almost every home. At the time of crisis e.g. a fire, it is often the first and most precious object that is saved! This is also a very old devotion dating back to the 17th Century. It is very like the statue of the Infant of Prague. The processions are long with a big variety of statues dressed in new clothes for the occasion. Some of them are very old and greatly treasured. The procession in Malibay is always very popular with the children as candy is distributed during the procession.

Gift was milk for the Special Needs Children.	Singers with Sr. Alisi.

Children dancing at christmas Party.	Remedial class with volunteer teacher Ruth

Gift giving at Christmas Party	Gift giving at the Livelihood

Jollibee man found us at last!

The Mission continues after the Christmas Festivities

The Early Learning Centre is busy with different groups of children. The clinic Staff is all prepared to test these children for worms and other intestinal parasites. This is done at regular times. They continue with their regular program of health education.

Remedial Education continues daily in the library and every Saturday afternoon with the Marist students.

Bowen Therapy has resumed again with Kalpana Ghandi who continues her valuable work with some of our sick and handicapped children and adults The Livelihood Staff is busy again after their holiday. Their Christmas gifts from the San Miguel Corporation have given them a more comfortable workplace with extra table space, better ventilation and better facility for spray painting. They have many new orders and they have been asked once more to make bus seat covers for an airline at our nearby airport.

The Youth Group spent many evenings before Christmas singing carols in the area to remind people of the real meaning of Christmas. They are now planning to start a new craft making hair decorations to raise money for future needs.

The 'Special Needs' group continues to meet on a Saturday morming. On the second Saturday of each month, they attend a ‘Healing Mass’ at the church of San Juan Nepumoceno. After the mass each one is anointed and blessed in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament.

The Feeding program will resume now since funding has been received from Caritas, (the local Catholic Charity.)