The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) is calling on Catholics to help the victims of the Mindanao earthquakes, which killed 22 people and displaced thousands.
Archbishop Romulo Valles of Davao, CBCP president, toured Makilala and worst-hit places in Cotabato; he was accompanied by Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo of Kidapawan.
Speaking over Radio Veritas, Valles noted that some evacuees refused to leave their damaged homes.
“Bishop Bagaforo will program their help to the affected families by identifying and locating these pockets of evacuees,” Valles said.
The CBCP head appealed for help for the earthquake victims, particularly in the dioceses of Kidapawan and Digos in Davao del Sur.
“I appeal again for more help to ease the sufferings and pains of our brothers and sisters,” Valles said.
The tremors destroyed over 21,000 homes, mostly in the towns of Makilala and Tulunan.
More than 870 schools were also damaged, affecting over 3.4 million students.
Marist brothers
Marist brothers from the Notre Dame of Kidapawan are also helping in the relief operations.
“We do our relief operation data gathering and other services like rapid assessment of building structures, etc.,” said Bro. Manuel de Leon. “We try to have an objective and balanced view of the situation.”
Caritas Philippines, the CBCP’s humanitarian arm, and its partners and other church organizations have been assisting quake-hit communities.
Victims need food, water, mosquito nets, hygiene kits and materials for temporary shelters like tents, said church officials.
Caritas Manila and Quiapo Church have sent P1 million to aid in relief efforts.
To help the Marist brothers in their relief efforts, contact Brother De Leon: 0920-9526521.
Exhibit on Padre Pio
Physician-artist Dante Lerma of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Health Service is holding the exhibit, “Pio et Maria,” at the UST Museum of Arts and Sciences until Nov. 15.
Exhibit consists of various portraits of Saint Saint Pius of Pietrelcina (1887-1968), the famous Capuchin Franciscan stigmatist.
Museum hours: Monday, 1-5 p.m.; Tuesday to Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Novena to miracle saint
St.o Domingo Church in Quezon City is holding the Novena to San Vicente Ferrer every Friday, 5:30 p.m.
A Dominican missionary during the medieval ages, San Vicente Ferrer is considered a miraculous saint and the patron saint of builders.
The church, which hosts the National Shrine of La Naval de Manila, is holding the perpetual novena to the Santissimo Rosario de La Naval de Manila every Saturday, 5:30 p.m.
Every Wednesday, 5:30 p.m., the church holds the perpetual novena to Saint Dominic de Guzman, founder of the Dominican Order.
For announcements, email lzulueta@inquirer.com.ph.