Lighting candles of hope Josephine Darang Inquirer
November 12, 2006
WE ARE ONLY STEWARDS and guardians of what we have,” Doña Consuelo “Chito” Madrigal- Collantes told Fr. Mario José C. Ladra. She asked him to be the branch director of the Consuelo “Chito” Madrigal Foundation-Bulacan (CCMF).
The statement captures the greatness of a generous heart. Doña Chito is the main benefactress of the foundation. Her kindness has inspired others to join the effort to help the underprivileged.
Adrian Antique wrote that Mr. and Ms Michael Escaler, architect and Ms Nestor Mangio, Dr. and Ms Salvador de Leon, Children’s Hour Philippines, Inc., and many others gave much of what they had “to light candles of hope where the skies are dark.”
With their support, CCMF-Bulacan is implementing a package of welfare services: livelihood opportunities for family heads, full scholarships and educational assistance to deserving students and seminarians, a day-care center for preschoolers, supplementary feeding for underweight children, crisis intervention for the needy, and other community enrichment programs.
This “Total Family Approach Strategy,” with the child as focal point, was designed by technical head Erlinda Y. Maulit, formerly of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
The foundation holds office at San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila Parish, Pleasant Hill Subdivision, San José del Monte City, Bulacan.
Fr. Ladra spearheads the mission to empower the lost, and the least of our brethren by giving them wings on their feet so they can face the realities of life with love and dignity. Surely, our Creator is gladdened by the goodness happening before Him.
For more than two years, countless people have been blessed, families have learned to help themselves and one another.
CCMF also has branches in Payatas and the Bicol provinces, among others.
For Doña Chito, with Fr. Ladra and the people of CCMF-Bulacan sharing her dream, “there is no better exercise from the heart than reaching down and uplifting people” (John Andrew Holman).
The foundation believes everything it does must be done for the greater glory of God— “Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam.”
Adrian said CCMF-Bulacan was coming out with all-occasion and Christmas cards in oil pastel made by the scholars themselves. Proceeds will be used for their continuing education. A box of cards costs P300. For orders, call (044)924-0521, (044)9241780, (02)8480980 to 81.
Miracles
The late Bishop Alvaro Portillo, successor of St. Josemaria Escriva, has manifested miraculous intercessions for people who pray to him. Bishop Portillo’s cause for beatification is under study by the Congregation of the Causes of Saints in the Vatican.
Cielito Cabarco, an Opus Dei cooperator, received answers to his prayers when her sister Rosabel was recently rushed to the hospital.
Rosabel was diagnosed with Myasthemia Gravis 11 years ago at the Philippine General Hospital. The disease weakens the involuntary muscles. When she had attacks, her eyelids would close and she couldn’t swallow, raise her arms and get a good grip. She took maintenance drugs to avoid attacks, refusing to undergo a risky operation.
According to Cielito, her sister was rushed to the hospital in Lubao, Pampanga, then transferred to the provincial hospital in San Fernando.
Cielito prayed to Bishop Alvaro. Money was raised even from strangers to pay hospital bills. Cielito relates instances of other miracles that happened to her Ate Ting.
Favor 1: A cousin suddenly thought of checking if the telephone number of a distant relative (a doctor) was still working. She just met Dr. Bansil in a family gathering. He got the call and knew what the disease was.
He was assigned at the Mt. Carmel Hospital, a few minutes drive from the provincial hospital. The family also got the money to pay the bill in the provincial hospital, the ambulance and the deposit at Mt. Carmel Hospital.
Favor 2: Rosabel was transferred to the Mount Carmel Hospital in San Fernando and people kept donating. Best of all, the sick woman was able to receive the anointing of the sick after attempts to cure her failed.
In August, Rosabel peacefully left. All throughout the preparation for the wake and funeral, money came to pay for the expenses.
Dan, Cielito’s brother, was able to raise P75,000 for the hospital in the wee hours.
Favor 3: The boss of Cielito’s sister refused to be paid back for the money they borrowed so the P30,000 went to Paolo, Rosabel’s son, who needed it to pay for his apprenticeship in a ship.
Relatives in the United States sent money for the other expenses. Best of all, according to Cielito, she gained a big family, which she always wanted: her sister’s daughter and her two boys.
Two tribunals
The Congregation for the Causes of the Saints has opened two tribunals to study the life of Don Alvaro del Portillo in the Diocese of Rome and the other in the Prelature of Opus Dei. Visit www.opusdei.us/art.php?p =12684.
For prayer cards, write to me c/o Philippine Daily Inquirer, Chino Roces Avenue, Makati.
Journey to wellness
The second Formators Institute of Transfiguration (FIAT 2006) will be held at the Monastery of the Transfiguration in Malaybalay, Bukidnon 4 p.m., Nov. 19; and 8 a.m., Nov. 25.
The one-week seminar has for its theme, “Journey toward Wholeness.” It is aimed at supporting the needs and concerns of formators from all religious formation houses and seminaries.
E-mail Dom Martin Gomez, OSB, FIAT coordinator, at dommartinosb@yahoo.com; text 0927-9366360 and 0917-5105585; or fax (088)2212899.
Lady of La Leche
Six years ago when a bachelor uncle of Baby Ticzon-Gonzales bequeathed to her on antique image of Nuestra Señora de la Leche y Buen Parto, the devotion to Our Lady under this title spread in the Philippines.
The feast day was celebrated at the Harrison Plaza Chapel on Oct. 11. Pregnant women and those who wanted to conceive attended the Mass.
Baby’s uncle, Ramon Ticzon, truly gave all of us a gift when he gave to his niece the responsibility to spread the devotion. Many barren women have been helped.
Origin
The image of Blessed Virgin Mary breastfeeding the infant Jesus dates back to the 16th century in Madrid, Spain, hence her title Nuestra Señora de la Leche y Buen Parto (Our Lady of the Milk and Happy Delivery).
In 1598, the famous Spanish statue was brought to the home of a man whose pregnant wife was dying and entrusted to his protection. The husband prayed deeply to the image to save his wife and unborn child.
Our Lady of La Leche heard his urgent prayer and granted his wife a safe delivery. Thereafter, the couple spread the news about Our Lady to other families.
King Philip III, who was the ruler during the time, became aware of our Lady’s intercession and he personally undertook the building of a shrine to honor Mary’s motherhood. The devotion spread widely throughout Europe.
Mount Sinai climb
Adam’s Travel includes a climb to Mount Sinai during its trip to the Holy Land Nov. 17-28. Mount Sinai was where Moses received the 10 Commandments from God. The trip includes Egypt and Turkey. Call 5211638/98.
Previous columns: New UST rector to be installed Nov. 9 – 11/05/06 Sailing on the Sea of Galilee – 10/29/06 Jews celebrate Feast of Tabernacle in Israel – 10/22/06 Cardinal Rosales’ NY Mass draws 4000 – 10/15/06 Book shows the way to salvation – 10/08/06 Israel invites Pinoys; Manaoag feast today – 10/01/06
