Legazpi – On December 19th the Servants of Charity celebrated Christmas and the end of 2017 in the presence of Fr. Dong, SdC, Fr. David, SdC, and Fr. Sagayaraj, SdC, opened a year-end Christmas Party to give thanks to the staffs who have dedicated themselves to the service of the community. Practically, gifts could not be absent from the party because they are a sign of bringing good luck and joy to others.
Legazpi – As the fruit of a long period of preparation, on December 22nd, the novices helped bring a little joy to the children of Purok 6, with a Christmas Party at the Pavilion of Harong Kan Sagrada Familia. To start the party, Fr. David, SdC, celebrated Holy Mass with Fr. Sagayaraj SdC, in the presence of benefactors and friends. We gathered the poor children of Purok 6 to organize them to play games, dance, sing and give them a place to have a party. The children were overwhelmed with happiness and joy, carrying gifts in their hands. We were delighted to organize this event to let them know that God never abandons them.
Legazpi – The jubilation continued for several days when the Annual STEP Christmas Party was celebrated with the families of our students. The traditional “Nativity-Tableau” performed by the “good children” solemnly opened the program of the day. At the same time, the Physical Therapy department celebrated their Christmas Party with patients who had been coming for treatment. Soon the merrymaking began with Christmas songs, dances and games to give life to everyone. There was never a dull moment, although there was stormy weather outside. The simple joys of gift giving filled everyone’s hearts with gratitude for the coming of the Lord Jesus who is the source of all joys and hopes.
Legazpi – An Advent Recollection, General Assembly and Christmas Party was held at St. Agnes Academy for all religious communities in the Legazpi Diocese. Most Rev. Monsignor Weng started the recollection by sharing the meaning of the Advent season. He summarized and addressed the readings and Gospels during Advent. Mass was the next activity, presided by the Most Rev. Joel. Z. Baylon, D.D. After that, every member finalized the regulations and the name of the new organization. At the end of the event, everyone exchanged gifts with one another.
Legazpi – Throughout history there have been supernatural apparitions and signs that go to the heart of human events. The message of Fatima is still lively evidence to the world of an urgent call to conversion and penance to draw us to the heart of the Gospel. On December 6th, the Diocesan Commission on Youth and World Apostolate of Fatima organized a show named FATIMA@100 for the benefit of the Diocesan Commission on Youth – Legazpi. The show recounted the apparitions of Fatima and helped residents, novices and priests gain a universal understanding of the event. Furthermore, the event helped to strengthen and empower our belief in the power of the Rosary and in the warning of Our Lady’s message to the world.
Legazpi – The holidays were here again which made our children and youth with special needs rejoice when they rendered a musical skit, sang carols and played their musical instruments during the program during our observance of National Catholic Disability Day December 3rd held at Harong Kan Sagrada Familia. They not only enjoyed mingling with other persons with disabilities from different Special Education Centers in Legazpi City, but they were also grateful for the goodies given as gifts from generous benefactors. It was worth the effort of the many days of practices in order to come up with a meaningful and enjoyable stage presentation. Indeed it was applauded and appreciated.
Pforzheim – The beginning of a new year full of dreams and hope obliges us to reflect upon the past 12 months and the cold experiences of a troubled world. But between the ashes of our dreams and memories, every day it rains new wishes and graces as a timid attempt to exorcize the days to come as an impulse to retake our walk along old itineraries always listening to the new growing seeds, which grow up without rumors. This suggests a Poet! We have dreamed and listened to what other religious orders do in our country, what is the aptitude and response of the conscience of the German Catholics towards increasing poverty, naked desperation, the destruction of families, and the total disorientation of an entire generation. These are the facts. We have learned what the others do and we tried to imitate their decisions. The motto for 2015 is, “Be a carrier of faith, but first become yourselves a personification of God’s blessing and loving Fatherhood.” This message of Kindermission – Aachen was mobilized on January 6th to more than 75,000 young boys and girls, who traveled thousands of streets in our cities and villages; begging financial support for the poor, sick, and disabled children around the world. Every year their carols in front of each building touch the hearts of believers and non-believers alike; each small coin helping to carry out prestigious projects, like ours in Legapzi, Manila, Congo and India.
Our structure at Legapzi was selected as the best developed project in the Philippines, with support from the Stern Singers and the help of Mrs. Steiner of Aachen for 3 long years! An interesting article was written by the Kutsch Family reporters of Aachen, who had visited Sagrada Familia in 2013. The news appeared in the local press on January 5, 2015. Fr. Battista Omodei, with one of his special pupils, is happy and his smile speaks for itself! Mrs. and Mr. Kutsch also organized a private Charity Gala and collected 5000 Euros for the a.m. Sagrada Famila at Legapzi.
Following this appreciation we have proposed to Mrs. Beate Jantzen to select both our projects in RD Congo for 2016. There, Kindermission has donated a brand new ambulance for the Lemba Mission which collects Aids patients, street stranded and abandoned youth 24 hours/day.
Now we await the authorization from the Bishop’s Office at Freiburg in order to continue our activity as agreed “Mission Procura.” The General Council has already appointed our entity as an integral part of the missionary Guanellian work in Germany in favor of our missions around the Guanellian provinces.
Therefore during Lent let us pray, “Indue me Dominen, novum hominem.”
O Lord make of me a new charitable person!
Gero Lombardo, German Guanellian Procura
Legazpi City -The staff, their families, residents, seminarians and priests gathered at Mayon Resort, St. Domingo, to celebrate life as a family. It was beautiful, everyone shared their time, love and care with fun. Upon arrival at the resort everyone began to share their joy of being together by swimming and playing. It was like the early Christians sharing meals and works with one another. At mid day, Fr. Battista granted a public farewell to Fr. Benson, who is going to India for good, and Bro. Christian who will be going to Manila for postulancy. After the simple sendoff, the family continued their joyful togetherness for the remainder of the afternoon. 
Legazpi City – The Special Therapy and Education Program (STEP) held its 9th recognition exercise and blessing of the Special Learning Room(SLR) April 7, 2014. Participants in the event were the priests, children with special needs, their parents, caregivers, teachers and guests. The distinguished guest was Mr. Nick Atos, the parent of a former STEP student, Francis Atos, who is now in college. The SLR, which was funded by German Kindermission and contributions of the parents, was blessed in a simple way by Fr. Battista Omodei, SdC. Everyone then assembled in the HKSF Pavilion for the recognition program. The children put on a performance to showcase their talents. Mr. Atos praised STEP in his speech because of his son’s ability to reach college level as a result of STEP; and he encouraged the parents to believe in their children and give the teachers proper support. He invited everyone to strive for their goals. The awards were distributed to the children based on their class performance. It was a joyful family celebration.
Legazpi City – It was a long ago promise and an eagerly awaited event by the Rotary Club of West Cubao District. They provided two beautiful wheelchairs for residents of Harong Kan Sagrada Familia on March 25th. HKSF runs a rehabilitation program for the physically handicapped who are abandoned by the families for almost 16 years. Four months ago the president of the Rotary Club paid a visit to HKSF and realized the need for new wheel chairs for Mr. Victor and Mr. Carlito. She promised that she would bring wheelchairs for the patients and she followed through; bringing smiles to the recipients.
Servants of Charity 