PALO, Leyte, Feb. 19, 2015 — One year and three months after towns in Leyte province and Tacloban City were hardly hit by super typhoon Yolanda, survivors, who benefited from millions of pesos in aid from generous donors, specifically from the Caritas International Fund, are encouraged to help others through the Alay Kapwa (Lenten collection).
Palo Archbishop John Du calls on the people of the Archdiocese to support Alay Kapwa as part of their Lenten sacrifice, Feb. 18, 2015 (Photo: Eileen Nazareno-Ballesteros)
Palo Archbishop John Forrosuelo Du in a recent homily stressed the need to support the Church-backed Caritas fund by raising money that will be used for future relief and rehabilitation projects for those affected by natural calamities.
Measly collection
During his Ash Wednesday Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lord’s Transfiguration, the prelate said the Palo Archdiocese’s Alay Kapwa collection since last year was so measly, despite Caritas International’s unwavering assistance to the people of the Archdiocese during its ongoing recovery efforts.
Du said this Lenten Season, the Archdiocese is intensifying its Alay Kapwa collection drive, the proceeds of which will be sent to the Vatican.
He conveyed his plan to build a dining hall in the Cathedral grounds where people could come and bring food to share to indigent families through the regular Sunday “La Mesa ni Martha”, which he initiated and launched late last year.
Du reminded the people about the essence of fasting during Lent season, saying it is not for economic reasons, but to promote compassion and charity to those in need, regardless of religion.
Acts of sacrifice
The amount saved from fasting and abstinence could be channeled to those who are homeless, hungry, needing clothes to wear and even in for the needs of those in prison, he said.
The works of mercy are the best ways one can more meaningfully observe the season of Lent, Du explained, by doing acts of sacrifice during the 40 days of Lent. Doing humanitarian mission in the barangays is another way he cited.
Fr. Wilson Chu, the Oeconomus of the Archdiocese and new co-pastor of the Sto. Niño Church in Tacloban, in his Ash Wednesday homily likewise challenged the parishioners to do some form of sacrifice for God each day of Lent, resting their faith in Him who constantly shows His love in every detail of life. (Eileen Nazareno-Ballesteros/CBCPNews)
