SAN JUAN City, August 21, 2013—While more establishments are getting transformed overnight into relief centers, a Catholic school community calls on all Filipinos to be united in prayer every 8 p.m. for the intentions of ‘Maring’ victims in the days to come.
According Fr. Xavier Olin, SJ, superior of the Jesuit community of Xavier School, San Juan and Mary the Queen Parish, “[The call is] to emphasize the importance of prayer, so that along the important relief operations and distribution of material goods to affected communities, we also do not forget the equally important work of praying for and with others.”
Solid in prayer
Initially meant to be a rallying point for the Xavier School community of Xavier School San Juan, Xavier School Nuvali and its adopted vocational technical school for the underprivileged, Erda Technical and Vocational Secondary School in Pandacan, the 8 p.m. common prayer time is extended to the general public.
“In this hour of great need and in deep solidarity with those affected by the floods, let us, be one in prayer…Let us light a candle in our homes and offer prayers for the flood victims, as well as our deliverance from this calamity,” Fr. Olin said.
He also noted, a special time of daily prayer would be a “quiet, unseen, behind-the-scenes work and the fruits are not easily seen, touched or held in one’s hands, but it surely is a meaningful gift we all can give.”
School masses this week, Fr. Olin said, including the quarterly test noon masses, will also be offered for the said special intentions.
Students’ fundraising drive
The logical partner of this “spiritual relief” component is the school community’s ongoing drive for monetary donations
Xavier School students have been collecting voluntary financial contributions from families, friends and relatives and will be turning them over to the high school student council tomorrow, August 22.
“There is students’ active involvement,” Fr. Olin said, adding, the collected funds will then be given to different agencies and communities in need of assistance.
The school community is targeting to have relief goods distribution over the weekend, said Fr. Olin, who is also Campus Ministry and Service Office coordinator, overseeing formation in the three schools.
More information is available on www.xs.edu.ph/ [Nirva’ana Ella Delacruz]
