April Showers at LVF

The words April Showers came from a short poem written way back; however, it is good to complete the phrase to appreciate more its opulent meaning;  “April Showers bring forth May Flowers;” the meaning behind these words  is: ‘’even unpleasant situations or difficult undertakings can bring about very rewarding endings.” This was exactly experienced by the Laura Vicuña Foundation this month of April. As our beloved country, the Philippines, was once again anguished by the mega-rise of Covid-19 cases and bereft by zooming death tolls this month.  With this as backdrop, the LVF staff, Sisters and girls opted to keep actively silent in solidarity with our fellow Filipinos by re-living the memorial of Christ’s Passion, Death and Resurrection. Though in separate fora, everyone had their Holy Week Recollection, Virtual Easter Catechesis and the regular virtual formations and catechesis all with supplemental feeding distribution with very clear intent to journey with the sufferings of our nation and the world because of this Pandemic.  Yes, it ‘showered’ and rains even poured so hard this month but here at LVF we kept our HOPE and FAITH alive! And surely we have reaped the reward, as six Vicuñans received three sacraments from our Catholic Church: Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Communion.  The lasting fruit of God’s grace was not only receives by them but by the whole LVF community and HOPE once again shines forth.

HOLY WEEK RECOLLECTION 

The LVF girls had their Recollection at the Laura Vicuña Center-Cubao facilitated by Sr. Rose Panganiban, FMA. It was a day of paying attention to the presence of God in the soul of every Vicuñan, a day to reflect on the miracles that God performed in their lives, miracles that touched and renewed them. As Shane shared: “Para posa akin, yung recollection ay nagbigay sa aming Hope. Doon ko napagtanto na talagang mahal kami ni God…na kahit gaano kami makasalanan, mahal N’ya kami.” (For me, the recollection gave us Hope. There, I truly realized that God, indeed, loves us…that no matter how sinful we are, He still loves us.) Nurturing the Spiritual growth of every child is at the heart of Laura Vicuña Foundation.

 LVF-CPC VIRTUAL SPIRITUAL FORMATION

No pandemic or social distancing can stop LVF in giving Jesus to the community. LVF is at its best in developing among children Christian values that become a deeply rooted spirituality. With the efforts of the Salesian Sisters and the Lay Mission Partners, LVF has reached a total of eight hundred fifty-two (852) children, youth and families during its online Easter Celebration and Catechesis.

VIRTUAL EASTER CATECHESIS 

Easter is not like any other ordinary celebration. It is a Feast of Christ’s triumphant victory over sin and death! As the whole world relishes this crucial and momentous event in the Catholic Church, four hundred ninety-two (492) children, youth and parents from the Laura Vicuña Foundation-Child Protection Communities (LVF-CPC) in Brgy.Pinagkaisahan, Culiat, Hillcrest, Judge Jimenez, Marikina and Taguig grow in faith at home as they joined the LVF virtual recollection facilitated by Sr. Rose Panganiban, FMA  (Apr. 03) and Mr. Ryan Azucena, LVF Social Worker (Apr. 13) via googlemeet, respectively. Truly, the Resurrection of Jesus is the crowning truth of our faith in Christ, a faith believed and lived as the central truth by the first Christian community; handed on as fundamental by Tradition, established by the books of the New Testament; and preached as an essential part of the Paschal mystery along with the Cross: Christ is risen from the dead! Dying, He conquered death; to the dead, He has given life.”( Catechism of the Catholic Church# 638).

LVF CATECHESIS IN AN ONLINE COMMUNITY

Families play an important role in nurturing the child’s spiritual formation. They have the capacity to hone the child’s relationship with God. To guide them in shaping the children’s spiritual values, LVF innovated a virtual Catechesis to three hundred sixty (360) children, youth, and parents of the Child Protection Communities in Brgy. Pinagkaisahan, Hillcrest, and Judge Jimenez facilitated by Sr. Teresita Mislang, FMA. They were so happy to have the catechesis again even though it was online because of the pandemic.

LVF MONTHLY SUPPLEMENTAL FEEDING DISTRIBUTION 

As we celebrate the Lord’s resurrection, we are also reminded that every person is sacred as He created them in His image and likeness. We are a member of one human family. In this grave time, when our faith, compassion, and solidarity is tested by the pandemic, we are tempted to turn away from the world and hide in the comforts of our homes. But God is challenging us, made us uncomfortable knowing that our brothers and sisters out there are in misery and distress! Who would have known that this pandemic would persist? But there is more greater than our fear-OUR LOVE & CARE for our brethren especially the children! The LVF Sisters, girls, and staff continue to cooked and prepared spaghetti, fudgee bar, juices, and kilos of rice to 250 children, youth, and parents to its Child Protection Communities (CPC) in Brgy. Pinagkaisahan, Culiat, Hillcrest, and Judge Jimenez!  LVF is also grateful to Ms. Marie Young of RFM for sponsoring the juices received by the kids.

LVF PALAWAN IS NOW AN ACCREDITTED RESIDENTIAL CENTER FOR CHILDREN IN NEED OF SPECIAL PROTECTION 

After complying to the standards set by the Department, DSWD has finally issued our CERTIFICATE OF ACCREDITATION to implement CENTER BASED RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS and SERVICES FOR CHILDREN IN NEED OF SPECIAL PROTECTION (CNSP) The certification will be valid for three (3) years.

LVF GIRLS #BLESSED 

We are so blest @ LVC as 6 of our Girls have received the Sacraments of Christian Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist) with presider, Fr Denis Soriano, the Rector of the Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral, Cubao, QC. Sr Rose and LVF Staff, Virgie Jison and mR. Ryan Azucenaand Ms. Imelda Ricare, head catechist witnessing the rites. Congratulations Welcome to the Christian World.