by AYLA LUNAR
MAGARAO parishioners brought gifts every Misa de Aguinaldo to give support to those who were greatly affected by the typhoon “Reming.”
The Christmas gift-giving program held from December 18 to 24 was initiated by Rev. Msgr. Juan N. Buentiempo, P.C., the parish priest. Following the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of the Philippines’ (CBCP) declaration of year 2006 as a Year of Social Concern, Msgr. Buentiempo said, “This is the best time to answer to this call – to give help to those in great need, especially those parishioners whose houses were totally devastated by the typhoon.”
The two super typhoons, “Milenyo” and “Reming,” that struck Bikol region within the span of two short months brought a lot of damages. In Magarao itself, more than 1000 houses were totally damaged, the survey of the Parish and Barangay Pastoral Council shows.
Despite these damages, the parishioners still relived the spirit of giving by offering used, old and new things like clothes, household wares, rice, food and toys. The parish priest adds, “They can bring anything, their extra things at home or even their garbage. I am sure these things will still be useful to other people and they will even make them happy. The garbage of one is a treasure to another... Everyone has an opportunity give -- elders, youth and children.”
The collection of offerings was done during the offertory of the mass by little children from different barangays. In collecting the gifts, the children who represented those parishioners in great need pushed old carts which symbolized the houses which were damaged. Msgr. Buentiempo ends, “This is a concrete act of showing our love to our neighbor this Christmas.”
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