FRILLS AND THRILLS OF APRIL

The month of April @ LVF surely got exciting and thrilling as it was Easter month.  New life, fresh start, new beginnings- these were the guiding motivations of this month.  Cognizant of the need to continue observing health protocols due to the ongoing pandemic, our major initiatives this month were done in a creative and engaging manner for all participants.

LVF SOLIDARITY CUM POLITICAL EDUCATION ADVOCACY

The Lord’s Resurrection, Easter Sunday was an opportunity to share the Living Bread and nurture hope and nourishment for LVF’s five child protection clinic (CPC) communities located in Barangay Pinagkaisahan, Hillcrest, Judge Jimenez, Taguig and Botocan. LVF staff packed 600 bags containing cooked spaghetti, bread, eggs, and included rosaries for sharing with the children and families in these five areas. The children were so happy to receive these gifts. The occasion also included a talk on political education given by one of LVF’s volunteers Ms. Carol Thor. She highlighted guidelines for choosing good leaders for our country .The mothers learned much from Ms. Thor and committed to be guided by sound values rather than money in their choice of leaders for the May national election.   LVF’s way of celebrating Easter this year showed the power of new life and hope in Jesus, the Risen Lord.

LVF Youth Advocate Ms. Desiree Ligutan Inspires Senior High School Students at  UST ANGELICUM COLLEGE

April 22LVF Child advocate and UST Angelicum REAP scholar, Ms. Desiree Ligutan was invited by the UST Angelicum College to speak to its Senior High School students during their webinar on the “Hamon sa Pag-aaral sa Gitna ng Pandemya: Sipag, Tiyaga, at Dasal ang Nagbibigay Pag-asa”.  (“Challenges to learning in the Midst of Pandemic: Diligence, Perseverance, and Prayer Give Hope”). Ms. Ligutan shared her experiences and learnings in creatively handling challenges in pursuing her studies due to the pandemic.  She highlighted how diligence, perseverance and faith kept her going during these difficult times. She underscored the importance of making good and hard decisions at this time, in order to pursue the value of education. It was also an opportunity for her to express how grateful she was to the UST Angelicum Re-entry Education Agenda for the Poor (REAP) Program for opening opportunities for her to finish her education in one of the most prestigious schools in the country. She likewise shared that the guidance of the Salesian Sisters paved the way for her to be a good and responsible Christian citizen. 

SR. RUNITA BORJA, FMA, COUNSILLOR FOR YOUTH PASTORAL @ LVC

April 12, 2022 was a long awaited day for the LVF Family because Sr. Runita Borja, (Sr. Bing), FMA- Councillor for Youth Pastoral chose to visit the Center almost immediately upon her arrival in Manila.  We were very happy when Sr. Bing said that we were the first community she visited! We may not give her the most expensive presents but we saw how genuinely pleased and happy she was with our handmade gifts (the crochet Easter eggs, canvass bags designed by the Vicunians). She appreciated the gifts made with love and personal touch by the Vicunians.  Our hearts were filled with joy to have met Sr. Bing in person.

Sr. Bing enthusiastically listened to our stories and shared with us her knowledge and experiences with young people as well as other communities similar to LVF. She shared that there are many young people who worked hard to achieve their dreams. She particularly talked about young people who are passionate about life and who have high hopes despite adversities they experienced.

May-may (a Vicunian) in her welcoming message said “Sobra po kaming nagpapasalamat sa presensya ninyo, Sr. Bing. Napakalaking biyaya po ng inyong presensya mula sa Diyos dahil pinadalhan nya kami ng Madre na nagrerepresent ng presensya ni Maria na Ina nating lahat. Naniniwala kami na sa [pagbisita ninyong ito ay ang pagbisita rin ni Mama Mary sa amin.” (We are very grateful for your presence Sr. Bing. Your presence is a grace from God for He has sent you- You who represents Mary, Mother of All. WE believe that your visit is Mary’s visit to us.)

Provincial Canonical Visitation by Sr. Teresita Padron, FMA @ LVF 

April 25-27, 2022. Sr. Teresita Padron, FMA, fondly called Sr. Tita blessed our community with her joyful presence! We excitedly welcomed her at the front door of the Center with a short cheer-dance and an upbeat song “Ikaw ang Sunshine ko”. We then proceeded immediately to pray via a song the Salve Regina as was the custom when a Superior visits a community.  We continued on welcoming her visit with the girls’ folk dancing and stories.  Sr. Tita was indeed happy and entertained by our performance as she joyfully clapped and affirmed the performances. We were also delighted to know that she will be with us for a number of days. Alas, the time had come for our most awaited encounter with Sr. Tita, exclusively with us, Vicunians. We were very much enlightened with her words especially when she emphasized; “If you want to be successful, you have to earn it”.  What we want to be in the future became clearer to us. We realized the importance of striving harder to achieve our goals in life. She really encouraged us to pursue our dreams and be ready with the challenges we might face along the way.  Sr. Tita’s visit brought great joy to all of us. We believe that her presence is a gift as she represents Mary, our Mother and Teacher. How heartwarming it was to be visited by a person who loves us like a mother. This experience with Sr. Tita will forever remain in our hearts, a precious memory indeed.  It is as if a fire of motivation was lit within us to strive harder and respond to the Sisters’ consistent call for us to be good Christians and productive, honest citizens. As we bid her farewell after her Canonical Visit, we prayed that the Lord continuously bless her with the guidance of the Holy Spirit to be for all young people a living Mama Mary who accompanies us in our journey towards holiness.

JOY AT THE CENTER OF LENT – LVF STAFF RECOLLECTION 

April 12. “Lent is a  sacred time when we remember and feel the depth of God’s love for us expressed in the Paschal Mystery. It is in this moment of deep silence and prayer that we are able to reconnect with God and appreciate the joy that He brought to our lives.” Sr. Candy Carmen Balverde, FMA . The Laura Vicuña Foundation (LVF) staff had their Lenten Recollection with Sr. Candy Carmen Balverde, FMA centered on the theme “Joy in the center of Lent”.  Sr. Candy presented the important figures during the New Testament who found joy after witnessing and experiencing  Christ profoundly  in their lives.  At the end of the session the staff shared that henceforth nothing can disturb them.  Amidst the pains, sufferings and difficulties they have experienced, it is only God who can give them joy and peace in His loving presence.  It is only Him who can satisfy their inner longings.  For them, only God suffices. 

SALESIAN FAMILY VOCATION FESTIVAL HOMEBOUND: WHERE LOVE STAYS IN GOD’S EMBRACE

April 02. The LVF Community joined the 2022 Salesian Family Vocation Festival. This is an effort to make known the different Salesian Family members and promote the vocation to different states of life (priestly, religious, family life and single-blessedness). Ms. Sai, LVF lay mission partner who joined the festival said: “It was a great experience of getting to know more about the Salesian Family and realizing how deeply they are able to touch the lives of young people, their families, and the community where they are present.This, also, is an opportunity to find your calling…to listen to that small voice within, an invitation to one and all! Looking forward to next year!” It was like a homecoming where all community’s warm hands were outstretched, ready to take you in.

STAYING ANEW IN GOD’S FORGIVING PRESENCE

By: Remy-LVF Child Advocate 
April 13.  The  Sacrament of Reconciliation leads one to feel an inner freedom. In fact for Remy, it feels like “we are not going to hide anymore, we no longer cover our faces because of shame, for God has already forgiven us”. All we need to do is to refrain from doing that same kind of mistake again and start fresh.  We feel like there is no need to worry about our souls because we are already free. It’s time to change while we still can. It is time to repent and turn our back and fight temptations. We are grateful to Fr. Favie Faldas, SDB for hearing our confession.

MOMENTS OF SILENCE: THE LVF GIRLS’ RECOLLECTION

By Edralyn Abia 
Recollection is a time of silence, of being quiet and of being with ourselves, most especially, to reconnect with the Almighty!. We are very grateful for the opportunity that we were able to have a recollection with Sr. Ana Guerrero, FMA-our recollection facilitator, in preparation for the Lord’s resurrection. It helped me to pray very well and this has become a chance for me, and for us to improve our relationship with God, and a moment of deep knowing of who I am in the presence of the Father Almighty. We also had a happy death exercise which compelled us to think deeper about our actions and the directions of our lives as young people. It is a moment of self-discovery as we face our fears- the reality of DEATH. No one is invincible, but are we ready to follow the light when we are being called? Are we like St. Dominic Savio ready to face the Creator any time? How we want others to remember us really depends on ourselves, on the choices we make. It was a beautiful recollection. It is heartwarming. I experienced true peace during this graced moment with the Lord.