MORE than a thousand Social Services and Development Ministry (SSDM) workers and volunteers gathered at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City to celebrate Caritas Manila’s 62nd anniversary on October 3.
They were recommissioned during the Eucharistic celebration, led by Most Rev. Rolando Tria Tirona, OCD, DD (archbishop of Caceres and chairman of Caritas Filipinas), concelebrated by yours truly and other clergy members from the Archdiocese of Manila.
The Grand Commissioning was the culminating activity of Caritas Manila’s 62nd anniversary to pay tribute to its volunteers and servant leaders. Noli R. Veridico, SSDM archdiocesan chairman, officially opened the program.
Two former scholars under the Educational Assistance Program shared their stories and expressed their heartfelt gratitude to Caritas Manila for helping them
finish college.
The Servant Leadership Award was also given to chosen SSDM volunteers for their invaluable support to Caritas Manila. A service award was also given to two members of Caritas Manila’s management team for their 10 years of service.
Most. Rev. Teodoro Bacani Jr., DD, bishop emeritus of Diocese of Novaliches, gave an inspirational talk to the SSDM workers and volunteers: “Ito pong Caritas Manila ay hindi lamang isang institusyon, kundi ito po ay daluyan ng pagmamahal; hindi lamang pagmamahal ng tao, kundi pagmamahal ng Diyos sa mga tao. At pinadadaloy naman sa pamamagitan ng malasakit ng mga tao sa kanilang kapwa.”
In behalf of the board of director, officers and staff, I would like to thank all the volunteers for helping Caritas Manila by sharing their time, talent and treasure. Tunay nga, ang mga volunteers ang yaman ng ating simbahan.
Since 1953, Caritas Manila has been the lead social-services agency of the Archdiocese of Manila, covering the cities of Manila, Makati, Pasay, Mandaluyong and San Juan. It, likewise, provides assistance for capacity-building and networking for other Metro Manila dioceses, as well as to other dioceses in Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao.
Caritas Manila runs diverse projects that help the poor fulfill their human potential, such as Youth Servant Leadership and Education Program, All is Well Health Program, Restorative Justice Ministry, Caritas Damayan and Segunda Mana.
We will continue with our series on Laudato Si next week.
To know more about the programs of Caritas Manila, visit www.caritas.org.ph. For donations, call 563-9311. For inquiries, call 563-9308 or 563-9298. Make it a habit to listen to Radio Veritas 846 in the AM band, or through live streaming at www.veritas846.ph. For comments, e-mail veritas846pr@gmail.com.