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First the poor - Mayapa Parish community (FIN)

Mayapa, Philippines, 27 March 2020 -- Active already for one week, the Kindness Station at Mary Help of Christians parish in Mayapa (Calamba City, Luzon Island - Philippines) is a humble but effective response in times of crisis along the basic conviction, a reminder that in times of crisis we can't forget our poor! So far 195 poor families around the Mayapa parish territory have been served.

More than 550,000 infected people and almost 25,000 deaths have been reported today around the world, but the grass root creative, passionate and community based Salesian response does not receive much noticed or is not shared. Just a few months after the Taal volcano eruption in nearby Batangas province, when also this Mayapa Parish got involved with help for many IDPs (internally displaced people), in the COVID19 emergency times too their faith in action shows the way.

Just one week ago (March 21) the Parish Commission on Social Concern under the dynamics guidance and animation of their parish priest and SDB community Rector, Fr. 'Toto' Mark Cerada, launched the 'KINDNESS CENTER'. Main goal of the project is to assist the poorest of the poor, like people who are living under the highway bridge (SLEX) or well known migrant or IDP families within the large territory of this parish with more than 25 'barrios' chapels and BEC (Basic Ecclesial Communities).

Through the FB slides you can grasp the whole integral response that involves many faithful, volunteers and benefactors: From the online pastoral and education care for the parish community (Catechesis, Adoration, Lectio divina), through the online-fundraising (FB advertisement) up to the visiting and delivering necessary food and emergency relief packages to the families in need.

The needs are big and the volunteers involved are dead-tired, but we can sense their spirit from their heart warming sharing:

"No one lives for yourself only. Nobody dies just for oneself. WE ALL HAVE A LITTLE FOR EACH OTHER. PROTECT THE POOR!"

This wonderful example of one of the 1800 Salesian parishes around the world may inspire many. If you have your own story, don't hesitate to share also through the AustraLasia news!