ASIA/PHILIPPINES - Support is organized for people affected by typhoon Karding: Refugees under the protection of St. Michael

Wednesday, 28 September 2022 natural disasters   solidarity   caritas   popular worship  

San Miguel Parish

Manila (Agenzia Fides) - "We seek the protection of St. Michael the Archangel, who defeats evil and protects us and our families", say the refugees who have found refuge in the diocesan Sanctuary and parish of St. Michael Archangel in the city of St. Michael, in the province of Bulacan, in the north of the Philippines, an area devastated by typhoon Noru. "We remain united in thanking God who looks at us and takes care of us", say the faithful in the diocesan territory of Malolos, strongly affected by the super typhoon Noru (the local name is Karding) which in recent days has hit the Northern Philippines and crossed the center of the island of Luzon, the main island of the archipelago. The typhoon has caused floods and damaged houses and roads, knocked down power lines and destroyed crops. In the diocese of Malolos, Bishop Dennis Villarojo, priests, religious, Caritas workers visited the displaced families, who took refuge in the sanctuary that opened its doors to the displaced, giving shelter and a hot meal. "There are more than 250 families in the sanctuary and hundreds of others are present in the 24 chapels scattered throughout the territory of our parish", reports to Fides Mark De Castro, a seminarian who lives in the parish. A solidarity network was launched between the parishioners and all the faithful of the diocese: "Immediately over 280 packages of relief goods arrived from the Caritas of our Diocese of Malolos, led by Father Melchor Ignacio, and were delivered in the city to extend help to our brothers who were victims of the storm", reports to Fides Fr. Daniel Coronel, assistant parish priest of St. Michael.
The disaster occurred precisely during the days of the traditional Novena (20-28 September) that the local population lives, with deep devotion, in view of the feast of the Saint, which is celebrated tomorrow, 29 September. There will be a large popular participation and a solemn procession of the statue of St. Michael through the streets of the city named after him. As Fides learned, the donations and funds raised for the floral decorations, the lights and the fires for the feast have been converted into solidarity aid for the displaced.
The prayer in the Sanctuary, meanwhile, continues more intense than before: "In the morning Novena, with the Rosary and Mass, the faithful pray intensely for the displaced, so that they may have comfort and hope. Let us pray to God and trust in his Providence", notes De Castro, while the community prepares to celebrate the Eucharist tomorrow for the feast of St. Michael, which will be presided over by the Auxiliary Bishop of Antipolo, Msgr. Nolly Buco.
"A special prayer intention will be for all the suffering and refugees who today are homeless and without a source of livelihood, with a troubled life" ,he informs.
To alleviate the suffering of the people in the areas devastated by the storm, Filipino Catholic communities, in parishes, associations, religious congregations, are preparing initiatives of solidarity for the victims of the typhoon.
Appeals for solidarity were issued in various dioceses. During the mass celebrated in the Cathedral of Manila on September 26, Cardinal Jose Advincula, Archbishop of Manila, asked everyone to help the displaced and people in difficulty: "We join in prayer and compassion for our affected brothers and sisters", he said.
Caritas Manila has started a collection of funds and aid to be allocated to families affected by the typhoon, to provide food packages, hygiene kits, water, medicines. Family tents, blankets, mats, galvanized iron sheets, sealants, timber, concrete and solar lamps are also needed to manage the emergency, Caritas said.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reports that 74,000 people were evacuated from their homes due to the typhoon. Although the storm has now weakened, entire cities remain submerged and "the situation will not return to normal overnight", government officials inform. Five rescuers died (another is missing), who were killed by the fury of the storm, while trying to help people in the affected villages. (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 28/9/2022)

San Miguel Parish

San Miguel Parish

San Miguel Parish

San Miguel Parish

San Miguel Parish

San Miguel Parish


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