Three parishes have heeded the call of Cebu Archbishop Jose S. Palma to put up Parish Caritas centers in the Archdiocese of Cebu. Palma mandated the establishment of these centers during the Mass that formally opened the Caritas Jubilee Week celebration last November 7.
In one month, these parishes officially launched their Parish Caritas centers:
- Alliance of Two Hearts Parish, Banawa, Cebu City
- Our Mother of Perpetual Help Parish, Ibo, Danao City
- Immaculate Conception Parish, Madridejos, Bantayan Island, Cebu
With the setting up of Parish Caritas centers, each parish will have a venue for its social action projects that will address the needs and concerns of the marginalized sectors.
Archbishop Palma blessed the Parish Caritas center of the Immaculate Conception Parish in Madridejos, Bantayan Island during its 93rd fiesta celebration last December 8.
The center houses the Parish Caritas office, a clinic, and the Kusina ni Sta. Marta.
“No one is too rich that he cannot receive and no one is too poor that he cannot give,” Palma said in his homily.
Rev. Fr. Jimmy Tolentin, who has successfully rallied his parishioners to support and participate in several charitable projects, thanked the Parish Pastoral Council, benefactors, and the parishioners for their continued help.
In his pastoral visit to the Our Mother of Perpetual Help Parish in Ibo, Danao City last December 5, Palma led the blessing of the Parish Caritas center.
“This center will serve as a temporary hub for the service ministry of the parish because the parish church is still under construction,” said Rev. Fr. Gonzalo Candado, parish priest.
“Although the parish needs help for the completion of the construction of the church, with the Parish Caritas center, they can still extend help to parishioners who are less fortunate,” he added.
Archbishop Palma said he appreciated the willingness of the parishioners to support the establishment of the Parish Caritas center in Ibo despite the challenge of raising funds for the construction of their parish church.
The Alliance of Two Hearts Parish in Banawa, Cebu City was the first to launch its Parish Caritas center. Archbishop Palma led the blessing of the center during the 33rd fiesta celebration of the parish last November 29.
“While there is a need for buildings and structures, it is equally important to improve our programs and services to better serve those in need,” said Rev. Fr. Alex K. Cola, Cebu Caritas, Inc. president and Commission on Service chairman. Cola is also a member of the team of pastors of the Alliance of Two hearts parish.
“Service to the poor is our common mission,” he added.
As Cebu Caritas president, Fr. Cola says he remains hopeful that, despite the pandemic, “we will continue to exert efforts to achieve the truest and deepest meaning of Caritas, which is love and extra care for the poor, the deprived and the oppressed.”
