In view of the horrendous disaster brought about by Supertyphoon “Yolanda” in the Visayas, the Eucharistic Adorers League (EAL) with the blessing of Cubao Bishop Honesto Ongtioco, Sr. Maria Lumen, SSpS, and Fr. Apolinario Ty, SSS, have decided to downsize this year’s Eucharistic Congress from one day to half a day.

 

The simplified program will start with Holy Mass at 6 a.m. on Nov. 30, followed by registration at 6:30 a.m. at the Pink Sisters convent on 77 Hemady and 11th Streets, New Manila, Quezon City. This will be followed by solemn prayers, vigil and meditation before the Blessed Sacrament. There will be a half-day recollection to end at 11:30 a.m.

 

The EAL community and the Pink Sisters will donate the savings as a result of the downsizing to the typhoon victims in the Visayas.

 

Theme this year is “The Eucharist and the New Evangelization.”

 

Yolanda medical mission

 

Dr. Rainier Tanalgo of Makati Medical Center led 14 other doctors to Ormoc City on Nov. 16 for the Yolanda Medical Relief Mission.

 

The medical and surgical mission was composed of Ma. Tarcila Gler, Ma. Regina Polobello, Ryan Paraiso, Ceres Paulino, Tamara Razon, Michelle Banzon, Luisa Solis Banzon, Arne Mallari, Jasmine Vergara, Svetlana Dalumpines, Noel Palmero, Kingford Tan, Lucky Cuenza and Honey Lyn Fabian. The group stayed for three days and distributed medical supplies.

 

De la Verdad icon

 

In the Presentation of the Child Jesus in Parañaque, Gaudencio “Boy” Ponce, who brings out the Nuestra Señora de la Verdad during the grand Marian procession in Intramuros on the first Sunday of December, told us he will not bring out the carroza this year because of the devastation of Supertyphoon Yolanda.

 

“Our family regrets to inform our friends and parishioners that due to Yolanda, the Virgen de la Verdad will not join the Marian procession,” he said. “All our funds for flowers, music, bus rent and other incidental expenses will be donated to the calamity drive in the Visayas.”

 

‘Save the Unborn’

 

Rosary for Life Philippines held a Thanksgiving Mass at Basilica of San Lorenzo Ruiz in Binondo on Nov. 11 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of its foundation.

 

Rosary for Life’s mission is to “save the unborn” and pray for the prevention of abortion.

 

San Fernando Archbishop Paciano Aniceto, who was chair of the Episcopal Commission on Family and Life when RFL Philippines was launched on Nov. 11, 2003, officiated the concelebrated Mass with 13 priests who support the cause of saving the unborn and the prevention of abortion.

 

The concelebrants were Msgr. Bong Loo, Fr. Eligio Santos, Fr. Melvin Castro, Fr. José Antonio Aureada, Fr. Joel Sulse, Fr. Greg Redoblado, Fr. Jimmy Marquez, Fr. Alex Balatbat, Fr. Larry Toledo, Fr. Vic Robles, Fr. Michael Salazar, Fr. Eliseo Santos and Fr. Mar Maquinad.

 

Sr. Mary Lucy Francis Cabaces of Daughters of St. Dominic was commentator during the Mass.

 

The idea of organizing Rosary for Life in the Philippines began when couple Betty and Basty Roxas Chua met Winifred Powers, founder of Rosary for Life International in Brooklyn, during the canonization of San Padre Pio in Rome on June 16, 2001.

 

Powers asked them if they could start the campaign against abortion through praying the Four Mysteries of the Rosary for an hour every day. After the launching at Club Filipino on Nov. 11, 2003, there are now 280,000 members spread out in parishes in the different dioceses.

 

For the 10th anniversary, Heidi MaraMara and Lualhati Sta. Maria came all the way from New Jersey to share their work for Rosary for Life in that area.

 

Cribs Foundation

 

Cribs Foundation Inc., which was founded in 1974, has been accepting abandoned babies and giving “new beginnings” for girl victims of sexual abuse.

 

Cribs is taking care of 50 children right now. Their Christmas cards, which are for sale, features Fernando Amorsolo’s painting “First Born.” To order, call Cribs at 6815921 or telefax 6471329.

 

Our Lady of Namacpacan

 

The people of Luna, La Union, will celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Namacpacan Sunday with a Holy Mass at 7:45 a.m. in the Parish of St. Catherine of Alexandria.

 

The feast of the saint is on Nov. 25 and Bishop Rodolfo Beltran will officiate the concelebrated Mass at 8:30 a.m.

 

The devotion to Our Lady of Namacpacan is 144 years old. Her image will be brought to Manila on Dec. 1 to join the grand Marian procession of Cofradia de la Inmaculada Concepcion in Intramuros.

 

Miraculous Medal

 

Novena Masses of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal in San Marcelino Church are scheduled every 5 p.m. The Mass started on Nov. 18.

 

Fr. Joey Faller of Kamay ni Hesus and Fr. Diwane Cacao of Sancti Dei Healing Ministry will preside the Mass on Nov. 25 and 26, respectively. Parish priest is Fr. Joselito Sarabia, CM.

 

Fr. Fernando Suarez will be the main presider on fiesta day, Nov. 27, at 5 p.m.

 

Mass for Venerable Marcucci

 

The Pious Sisters of the Immaculate Conception will celebrate the birth anniversary of their founder, Venerable Francesco Antonio Marcucci, on Nov. 27 with Masses in their convent in Blue Ridge, QC; in St. Raphael Parochial School in Calaca, Batangas, and in their Youth Center in Dagupan City.