by mir321

October 2021 News

SOBER OCTOBER

There is no better way to describe LVF’s month of October than the word sober and gentler.  We consider our activities this October as low key but it does not mean we stagnated nor stopped, we just felt a little calm and at the same time going about our duties with ease. 
Our usual, weekly

  • SolidaritySerye
  •  Catechesis

always took center stage in our routine plus our

  • AdvocacySerye for children and youth

And for this month, LVF organized the

  • FAMILY CONGRESS PART 2 – ONLINE “PATNUBAY” (Guidance)

We will never forget that this month of October is Mama Mary and Mission Month and so we’ve had the daily praying of the Holy Rosary both for the LVC and LVF-TVET and a day of

  • Online Holy Rosary

together with our CPC Communities.  The LVF-TVET also celebrated

  • Socialization Day and
  • Educator’s Day

FAMILY CONGRESS PART 2 – ONLINE “PATNUBAY”

On 24 October 2021, the 2nd  Online Congress for families took place, organized by the Laura Vicuña Foundation (LVF) partnership between the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians and lay professionals/collaborators to address the needs and problems of street children, of  St. Mary D. Mazzarello Province (FIL), entitled: “Online Patnubay (guidance)”, aimed at offering families an accompaniment for online navigation.

More than 960 participants were online from the Napindan Taguig Foundation’s Child Protection Program (CPC) Communities of Brgy, Judge Jimenez, Marikina, Culiat, Hen, Uno Cavite, Hillcrest, Botocan, and Pinagkaisahan of Quezon City, Baccood , Sta. Mesa, Manila, and Palawan.

Sr. Maria Victoria Santa Ana, FMA, Managing Director of the Laura Vicuña Foundation, in her opening discourse presented the aims of the Congress, with the main objective of strengthening the bonds between the families of the LVF Communities. Secondly, she highlighted how the parents and the elderly of the Communities are the main collaborators of the Foundation in the protection and care of the growth of children and young people. Parents, in particular, play a vital role in guiding their children in the conscious use of the internet and in monitoring their online activities. The Covid-19 pandemic has brought new ways of relationships and interactions and, with online education, children are overexposed to large information flows and risk becoming victims of Cybercrime.

LVF Volunteer Ms. Carolyn Thor explained to the attendees the “Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012” (R.A.10175), a law in force in the Philippines that addresses legal issues and criminal regulations relating to online activities. Among the causes that can lead young surfers to cybercrime, she cited: curiosity, the desire for adventure, economic problems, and the lack of guidance from parents, which can lead to scams, blackmail, security problems, and above all to suffer emotional trauma and reputational damage. She also described the different types of cybercrime and informed parents and young people about the criminal penalties they face.

To prevent damage related to unresponsive behaviour, she suggested following the acronym T.H.I.N.K. before posting or clicking on anything on the Internet, to understand if what you want to post is True, Helpful, Inspiring, Necessary, and Kind. She also strongly advised that you only add people you know directly to your contacts, never share personal photos, provide your sensitive data with awareness and responsibility, and limit screen time of children and the young.

Parents expressed their intention to communicate more with their children and to be more involved in their activities, especially those online. The young people recognized that the lockdown and lack of mobility due to the pandemic gave them the opportunity to learn some practical life skills and to indulge in healthy hobbies such as reading. For their part, they have chosen to make a commitment not to visit unsafe websites and to listen to their parents’ suggestions. 

At the end of the Congress, Sr. Maria Victoria reminded about the importance of being strong and united in safeguarding the integrity of the person and the protection of children in online navigation, so as to live God’s dream for each family.

PAMILYANG NAGMAMAHAL KAY INANG MARIA (ONLINE HOLY ROSARY)

We are a family that belongs entirely to Mary, we will never forget to gather together and pray the Holy Rosary around Her.  October 28, 2021 at 5:00 in the afternoon all CPC, LVF-TVET and LVC families with bended knees asked Mama Mary to intercede for us and the whole world that the Covid 19 Pandemic may end and we might begin anew in great care and love for the EARTH and especially the HUMAN FAMILY.  One very edifying act made by almost all families was to lit their altars as we pray the Rosary together.  It was a very tender expression of endearment to our Blessed Mother, a very Filipino and Catholic practice which is worth emulating and a source of learning for the young.

LVF-TVET ACTIVITIES

Our Training Center is little by little inserting itself in the life of our LVF Community/Family. The LVF-QC Sisters and staff welcomed the new students led by Sr. Ana Guerrero, the LVF-TVET Technical Directress. With the animating skills of Sr. Candy Carmen Balverde, FMA and two youth leaders from Sta. Mesa they held the Socialization Day and Educator’s Day.  October being Teachers’ Month, our trainees warmly thanked their teachers whose dedication they openly appreciated and whose competence they admired.  It was a simple expression of gratitude but indeed heartfelt and sincere.  A long way to go, yes, but hand and hand with their educators they will reach their goals and dreams.
 
Socialization activity is also a must in our Training Center because students are all new in the school.  Again Sr. Candy prepared the TEAM so well that all had a great time knowing each other.  Being online is not a barrier at all, the team also gave cellphone loads as prizes for the games which delighted all since these are so helpful for their studies.  Seeing the trainees’ profiles one could only be happy for this socialization activity because it was obviously needed by students.  They were able to laugh, feel at ease with each other and become themselves.  It was really an afternoon of camaraderie and fun.  A very Salesian activity indeed.

SOLIDARITYserye

Bright smiles, grateful hearts, and sincere thanks: these are just some of the many intangible and invaluable consolations one receives in giving, in sharing, in imparting what one has. LVF does not rest in doing its best to respond to the call of the times, especially now that we all are in the same boat-the plague in the name of Covid-19. And as struggles in coping up with our daily lives became more and more visible each day, LVF is blessed with the continuing support of its donors. With the donations pouring in, LVF distributed 1,686 pcs of bread, 288 packs of noodles, 50 boxes of native cakes (puto). And in addition to that, the LVF girls also baked 246 slices of butterscotch for the communities.
 
Mrs. Marie C. Young, Mrs. Michelle C. Reyes, Mrs. Carmzie Oplado, Ms. Marissa Concepcion are God-sent, with all other LVF benefactors and donors! With their endless generosity and certitude, LVF Solidarityserye carries on. In this time of adversity and difficulty, may our heart hear John’s words echoing in the wilderness calling each one of us to “share the food that we have to those who have none”. It is time for each and every one of us to contemplate on the challenge by Pope Francis: “Do I think about others?”

Live Catechesis

The seed of faith is planted in each of us, and LVF’s weekly Sunday catechesis helps the children, youth and parents, to nurture it, to let it grow, and be life-giving to others as well just like the mustard seed. With Sr. Teresita C. Mislang, FMA, 1,479 children, youth & parents were reached during the catechesis for the month of October, which is also the Month for the Missions. The catechesis is concluded by a Holy Mass attended by the participants.