CTF Philippines
O Tufão Ketsana nas Filipinas – 1
por Padre Scott Binet MD, MI
CTF-SOS DRS está ajudando as vitimas do Tufão Ketsana, desastre devastador que recentemente caiu para a condição de tempestade tropical e que agora está na direção de um quarto país, o Laos, deixando um rastro de destruição e morte ao longo do sudeste da ásia.
Até a manhã de quarta-feira, as mortes causadas pela ira da tempestade somavam 325: pelo menos 246 nas Filipinas, 74 no Vietnam e 9 no Camboja.
Filipinas, o país mais atingido, começou na quarta-feira o lento processo de limpar a lama e retirar os destroços. Mesmo assim, os Filipinos mantiveram os olhos atentos a outra tempestade rondando o oceano Pacífico.
A tempestade Ketsana atingiu aproximadamente 2 milhões de pessoas e forçaram a evacuação de 567.000. Em certo momento, 80 por cento da capital Manila estavam embaixo da água depois de enfrentar os mais altos volumes de chuva dos últimos 40 anos.
CTF-SOS DRS já está nas Filipinas, prestando auxílio. Irmão Luca Perletti MI, membro tanto da CTF Central como da diretoria do SOS DRS nas Filipinas, coordenando a ação de ajuda juntamente com Fr. Charley Ricafort MI, líder do CTF Filipinas. Em conjunto com Fr. Ivo Aselmi MI, o Provincial da Província dos ministros dos Enfermos, e outros membros da CTF Filipinos (Fr. Rolly MI, Fr. Meng (também conhecido como Fr. Domingo Barawid, MI), Irmão Luca e Fr. Charley estão organizando a ação de assisténcia que já começou.
Os Camilianos, seus paroquianos e os que trabalham nas instituições Camilianas foram duramente afetados pela tempestade. Seis funcionários do St. Camillus Medhaven tiveram suas casas completamente destruídas, e também foram gravemente afetados os membros da comunidade Medhaven que se ocupam do programa de reabilitação em Tumana, Balubad e Mandalai. Da comunidade de 180 membros, cerca de 50 famílias desse programa são vítimas.
CTF Filipinas forneceu suprimentos iniciais de alimentos ás vítimas e os estudantes Camilianos levaram suprimentos de socorro a uma distrito baranguai em Marikina.
Um dos associados locais da CTF Filipinos — a Paróquia da Sagrada Familia (através da equipe de trabalho de Conscientização Urbana) — perdeu 70 paroquianos (na maioria crianças) e 650 famílias foram atingidas em Baranguai Silagan, cidade de Quezon.
Duas paróquias Camilianas da diocese de Antípolo (Sítio São José e Sítio Malaking Parang) foram muito atingidas pelo tufão e pelas enchentes que se seguiram. Cerca de 50 famílias das paróquias estão precisando muito de alimentos, remédios, utensílios de cozinha e talheres, bem como colchões, cobertores e material de construção para que reconstruam seus lares e meios de subsistáncia. CTF Filipinas está enviando um carregamento de assisténcia humanitária para o local e será utilizado pelas equipes de socorro para ajudar as famílias sinistradas.
SOS DRS está criando nos Estados Unidos um fundo específico para o tufão Ketsana, como também a CTF Central em Roma. Informarei dentro em breve as informações sobre essas contas. Da mesma forma, Fr. Aristelo Miranda MI — membro da CTF Filipinas — está no Canadá levantando fundos para socorro ás vítimas do tufão. O povo do Canadá já tem respondido aos apelos de forma generosa. Que o Senhor os abençcõe, e que Ele tenha piedade das vítimas do desastre. Vamos manté-los e as suas famílias e as equipes de socorro em nossas orações.
Fr. Scott Binet MD, MI
Coordenador Internacional – CTF
Presidente – SOS DRS
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Typhoon Ketsana – 2 (Philippines)
By Fr. Scott Binet MD, MI
Typhoon Ketsana left many victims in its wake. CTF Philippines is working together with CTF Central, SOS DRS and the Order of the Ministers of the Infirm (Camillians) to help them. See Dramatic Photos of the Disaster . The storm did not take CTF Central or CTF Philippines unawares. Brother Luca Perletti MI, a member of both CTF Central and the board of SOS DRS, was in the Philippines to give a retreat and soon started to coordinate the relief response together with Fr. Charley Ricafort MI, the leader of CTF Philippines. Here is the most recent information from the Camillians in the Philippines from Br. Luca Perletti.
On October 2, writing from Manila (National Capital Region), Brother Luca tells us of the evolution of the effects of Ketsana, the initial response of CTF Philippines and their first meeting with him as a representative of CTF Central to address the damage caused by the Typhoon. Luca writes:
The announced typhoon has produced much rain. Although the meteorologists have excluded the possibility of Ketsana returning to Manila, already on its knees, they still want to calm the people by affirming that the catastrophe is only a result of the monsoon season. However, the rain can only create fear and bring to mind sad memories.
The violence with which the rain started to fall promises nothing good. The area devastated by the typhoon last Saturday did not need the rain. The people have not returned to their normal activities and already they are announcing that there will be new flooding. When will it finish? It is not difficult to imagine that this is the question that is going through the minds of all the inhabitants of the neighborhoods of Manila and the region of Luzon that have in a matter of a few hours lost loved ones, property and the year’s harvest.
Seen up close this rain produces fear. The boundary between heaven and earth disappears and everything is enveloped in a thick shadow of clouds – seemingly low enough that they can touched. And the falling water seems like a sort of heavy blanket that makes it difficult to move around. And providing relief in these conditions has become dangerous. Manila is already a chaotic city. Imagine now in the face of this flood! The people are leaving work to take to the streets and go home while it is still possible – a Dante-like mob!
As always after every calamity there is a generous response to which all contribute. While I was waiting to start working again, a small truck filled with food for the victims of the typhoon left to deliver it. The food is only one of many offers of help (proof of the solidarity that is often anonymous) that are arriving at the major seminary of the Camillians, i.e. the St. Camillus Scholasticate.
The scholasticate in fact has become a little center for gathering various materials that are distributed daily to families that have suffered damages from the typhoon. The Camillians are concentrating their actions in the zones of Pasig, Cogeo and Marikina where they have been exercising their ministry animating the local Christian community. Gravely affected by the typhoon, the numerous families of the zone have received relief through the work of the Camillians who have been bringing them food, clothing and basic necessities.
The activity is coordinated by various Camillian religious – which is part of the strategy of CTF Philippines – who already had the opportunity to distinguish themselves in responding to similar natural disasters. In fact, the mechanism is well-oiled and the response this time has been immediate. And under the guidance of their superior and formator, Fr. Evan Vilanueva, the young temporary professed – taking advantage of a break in their studies – have used their time to make packages of food that are then distributed to specific families. This avoids the sad phenomenon of profiteering and outbreaks of violence. Every evening a little truck leaves the tranquility of the seminary and a group of young religious goes to this or that slum or neighborhood where, quickly and with precision, they see to the distribution of the waited-for-food. In this first phase of the emergency even water has been important because that from the local waterworks is contaminated. Today, for example, the students left with a truckload of just pure water, which will prove important for the prevention of sicknesses and the outbreak of epidemics. This needs great attention because – with the passage of time – it will be necessary to begin cleaning the area affected by the flooding in order to prevent terrible epidemics.
To this end our polyclinics are already preparing medical teams that can go to the locations to bring help to people who are without shelter. There is no time to lose. With great difficulty people will go to hospitals or private clinics: it is better to be ready to go and help them. This, in any case, is the second phase of the emergency. At the present time we only hope that the rain stops and everyone is able to have enough to survive until tomorrow.
On Friday October 2, CTF Philippines had a meeting in Manila at which Brother Luca Perletti, representing CTF Central, was present. He writes:
Meeting of CTF (Camillian Task Force) Philippines
Friday October 2, 2009
Dear friends, this evening I met here in Manila with the local CTF and the Provincial of the Philippines. It was a good and fruitful meeting. I will give you just the most important details that can also be sent to the Order via the website and mailing list.
1. Present Activities
Presently some communities are engaged in the work of providing for the essential needs of disaster victims: this work is directed primarily at furnishing food, clean water, clothing and various utensils. The situation is still unstable and does not allow for other initiatives.
The Camillians are known as being trustworthy and many relief items have been sent to our houses to be distributed. As of today Camillians are helping some 1260 families in the territories of Boso Boso (750 families), Cainta (400 families), Pasig (52 families),
Medhaven (40 families) and Cogeo (15 families).
2. Prospects/Planning
Slowly – even if one cannot yet use the word “end” because it started to rain again – the first phase of the emergency (meeting the vital needs of people) is giving way to the second phase characterized by an intervention aimed at dealing with illnesses and epidemics. There are already signs of these realities, and Camillians have begun to warehouse medications. In fact, the Camillians think that in the near future they will need some medical teams to meet the healthcare needs of people. Staff and volunteers at Camillian facilities are on standby.
The last phase in which the Camillians plan to involve themselves is the rehabilitation phase: furnishing new homes. This is a more advanced phase for which specific projects will need to be written. There has already been a survey to decide who will receive the funds and the conditions for the distribution of these. They will be given in the form of a loan to be returned without interest – to maintain a “corpus fund”. This will apply most of all to the many staff of Camillian healthcare institutions who were gravely affected by the flooding.
3. Present Needs
Above all in Boso Boso, an area outside of metropolitan Manila and difficult to reach (under the care of Fr. Meng MI), there is still need for food, clothing, kitchen utensils and medications. Here there is a significant problem for reconstruction because the inhabitants of the village are “abusive”.
4. The Contribution of the Province
Presently the Philippine Province is unable to provide significantly for the relief effort without making cuts in other expenses. They will contact the missions in Taiwan and Australia to ask for a donation. Fr. Weber, who has helped the Province generously with the hospital in Mati, is going to help.
To this end a decision was made that all the funds will go through CTF Central, and Camillian donors will be directed to CTF Central.
5. The Commitment of CTF Central
CTF Central has agreed to offer 15,000 Euro to cover immediate needs (see above) and to acquire medications that will likely soon be rationed (the pharmacists are cunning!).
Tomorrow I will send the bank account of the Province and ask Fr. Paolo Guarise to send money from Rome. We are asking if SOS DRS (CTF-USA) can already begin to do something while we are waiting for benefactors – Camillian and otherwise – to fill the accounts opened for the disaster in both Rome and the US.
With the money that is gathered we will organize a type of warehouse to which religious of various communities will come who are involved in relief work.
6. Next meeting of CTF Philippines – October 6
Finally, we close with the appeal of Padre Meng [Domenico S. Barawid] at the parish in Boso-Boso, in the outskirts of Manila. On October 2 he writes –
“We thank the Lord that we are still alive. We are living a situation that is very difficult yet we believe that this moment can be transformed into a time of grace. I have reported on the many families of our parish that were devastated by the Typhoon. We have urgent need for food, medicines, kitchen utensils, mattresses, blankets, and materials to build homes and workplaces. We are very grateful for whatever you might be able to give. Thanks for your sensitivity and constant interest.”
In Faith, Your Fr. Domingo S. Barawid, MI – Pastor
Father Scott F. Binet MD, MI
International Coordinator – CTF
October 4, 2009
Feast of St. Francis of Assisi
USA – How to Financially Support the Relief Effort
Online or By Check
Online To make an online donation, visit our donation page and make a secure payment using PayPal:
http://www.ctfmercy.org/English_Help_Us.htm
Please specify “Typhoon Ketsana in Philippines” using the option to “Add special instructions to the seller”.
By Check Checks can be made out to SOS DRS. On the memo line write “Typhoon Ketsana in Philippines”. This is the title of the special account set up for the disaster. Checks should be mailed to: SOS DRS 1039 East Russell Avenue Milwaukee, WI 53207
For more information, in the United States contact the SOS DRS Secretariat at 414-431-6503 or by e-mail fatherscott@ctfmercy.org
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Il Tifone Ketsana – 2 (Filippine)
P. Scott Binet MD, MI
Tanti ancora soffrono dovuto al Tifone Ketsana. CTF Filippine aiuta alcuni di loro insieme a CTF Centrale, SOS DRS e L’Ordine (Camilliani). C’e già una bella collaborazione.
Ecco le ultime notizie scritte da P. Sam Cuarto, Fratel Luca Perletti e P. Meng. Tutti lavorono insieme aiutare le vitime di Tifone Ketsana. Vedi delle Foto del disastro.
Il Camilliano P. Sam Cuarto MI ci aggiorna sulla situazione del quartiere Balubad, in Marikina City
Manila, 29 settembre 2009
“Su 180 famiglie che fanno parte del programma di riabilitazione basato sul territorio del St. Camillus Medhaven in Marikina, noi anbbiamo 40 famiglie colpite nel quartiere Balubad di Marikina City. Marikina è una delle zone più colpite di Metro Manila.
Ondoy: situazione generale
A tutt’oggi, 29 settembre, il numero dei morti causato dalla devastazione portata dal Tifone Ondoy ha raggiunto quota 230, mentre il danno provocato alle proprietà può essere stimato sui 2.4 miliardi di Pesos. Almeno 40 persone risultano ancora disperse. In Tanay la maggior parte dei quartieri della provincia sono stati sommersi dalle inondazioni. Il Governatore di rizal Casimiro Ynares ha detto che molti altri residenti mancano all’appello e sono per ora dispersi. Sono stai reportati dei decessi anche a Batangas e Laguna.
In Metro Manila almeno 10 persone sono state uccise, tra loro un padre e suo figlio sui quali è crollata addosso una parete, mentre le altre vittime sono per lo più state travolte dalla corrente improvvisa dei flutti. Ci sono ancora persone che mancano all’appello. Gli allagamenti si stanno riducendo in zone di Makati, Mandaluyong, Las Pinas, Paranque, Manila e alcune zone di Pasig, tuttavia ancora il 40% di Metro Manila sé ancora sommersa dall’acqua secondo il National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC). Molti residenti di Metro Manila stanno ancora aspettando di essere soccorsi. Almeno 374.000 persone sono state colpite dall’alluvione; la maggior parte di essi vive nella metropoli. Intere comunità sono state risucchiate dalle acque impetuose. La maggior parte di Metro Manila è ancora senza corrente elettrica a causa del black-out delle linee di trasmissione.
I cittadini colpiti sono sono “>accampati in vari centri di evacuazione, la maggior parte di essi manca di vestiti e cibo adeguato. Beni di soccorso sono stati inviati da diverse agenzie ma le forniture non sono sufficienti a far fronte ai bisogni delle vittime dell’inondazione. Ci sono oltre 600 centri di evacuazione. Le scuole elementari e superiori sono al momento sospese fino alla fine della settimana. 
Da: Filipino news network”
SITUAZIONE NELLE FILIPPINE
Rapporto di Fr. Luca Perletti, – Manila, 2 ottobre 2009
L’annunciato tifone ha iniziato a scaricare abbondante acqua. Benche’ i metereologi abbiano escluso la possibilita’ che esso torni a colpire Manila, gia’ sulle ginocchia per la recente catastrofe, e vogliano tranquillizzare la gente affermando che si tratta solo di rovesci monsonici, questa pioggia non puo’ che fare paura e portare alla mente tristi ricordi.
La violenza con cui la pioggia ha iniziato a cadere non promette nulla di buono. Nelle zone devastate dal tifone di sabato scorso quest’acqua proprio non ci voleva. Ancora l’attivita’ non e’ ripresa normalmente ed ecco che nuove inondazioni si annunciano: quando terminera’? Non e’ difficile immaginare che questa sia la domanda con cui si arrovellano il cervello gli abitanti dei vari quartieri di Manila e della regione di Luzon che in poche ore hanno visto portarsi via cari, proprieta’ ed i raccolti dell’anno.
Vista da vicino questa pioggia fa proprio paura. Il limite tra cielo e terra e’ scomparso, e tutto e’ avvolto dalle spesse ombre delle nuvole, cosi’ basse da poterle toccare! E l’acqua cadendo solleva una coltre pesante che non ci si puo’ nemmeno avventurare. Anche portare aiuti in queste condizioni diventa precario. Manila, poi, e’ gia’ una citta’ caotica di per se’, figurarsi sotto questo diluvio! A quest’ora la gente abbandona gli uffici e le attivita’ commerciali e si mette in strada per fare ritorno a casa prima che non sia piu’ possibile: una bolgia dantesca!
Come sempre, ad ogni calamita’ fa seguito una generosa risposta a cui tanti concorrono. Mentre aspettavo di riprendere il lavoro, e’ entrato un camioncino carico di viveri a favore delle vittime del ciclone. Si tratta di una delle tante offerte – prova di solidarieta’ spesso anonima – che arrivano al Seminario maggiore, lo Scholasticate St. Camillus. Esso, infatti, e’ diventato un piccolo centro di raccolta di materiale vario che, quotidianmente, viene poi distribuito alle famiglie che hanno subito i danni del tifone. In particolare, i Camilliani stanno concentrando la loro azione nelle zone di Pasig, Cogeo e Marikina, laddove da tempo esercitano il loro ministero animando le locali comunita’ cristiane. Gravemente colpite dal tifone, le numerose famiglie della zona trovano sollievo nell’opera dei Camilliani i quali portano quotidianamente viveri, generi di prima necessita’ e vestiario.
L’attivita’ e’ coordinata dai vari religiosi, quali parte della strategia della locale CTF, che gia’ nel passato ha avuto modo di distinguersi in simili calamita’ naturali. In sostanza, il meccanismo e’ ben oliato e la risposta e’ stata immediata. Sotto la guida del loro superiore e formatore, P. Evan Vilanueva, i giovani professi temporanei – profittando della pausa negli studi – passano il tempo confezionando pacchi viveri che vengono poi distribuiti a famiglie segnalate. Questo evita il triste fenomeno dello sciacallaggio o scoppi di violenza. Ogni sera un piccolo camion lascia la tranquillita’ del seminario e conduce un gruppo di giovani religiosi in questo o quello slum o quartiere dove, velocemente e con precisione, provvedono a distribuire gli attesi viveri. In questa prima fase della emergenza anche l’acqua e’ importante in quanto quella della rete idrica comunale e’ del tutto contaminata. Oggi, per esempio, sono partiti con un carico d’acqua pura, molto importante per prevenire malattie e scoppi di epidemie. A questo va data molta attenzione poiche’ – col passare del tempo – bisognera’ iniziare a ripulire le aree inondate e prevenire terribili epidemie.
Allo scopo, anche i nostri policlinici si stanno gia’ preparando allestendo team medici che possano recarsi a portare sollievo alla gente rimasta senza casa. Non c’e’ tempo da perdere: la gente difficilmente si rechera’ presso gli ospedali o gli ambulatori privati: e’ meglio essere pronti ad andare in loro soccorso! Questa, comunque, e’ gia’ la seconda fase dell’emergenza: al momento non resta che sperare che questa pioggia cessi e che ognuno possa avere di che sopravvivere fino a domani!
Il 2 Ottobre c’era una riunone in Manila dei membri di CTF Filippine e Fratel Luca Perletti (CTF Centrale). Luca scrive:
Riunione del CTF (Camillian Task Force) Philippines
Venerdì, 2 ottobre 2009
Cari amici questa sera mi sono radunato qui a Manila con il CTF locale alla presenza
del Provinciale. Un buon e fruttuoso incontro. Ve ne do un dettaglio stringato, che puo’ anche essere fatto circolare all’Ordine via sito e mailing list.
1. Attivita’ in corso
Attualmente alcune comunita’ sono impegnate nell’opera di primo soccorso
alle vittime della calamita’. Quest’opera e’ principalmente finalizzata
alla fornitura di viveri, acqua pulita, vestiario e utensili vari. La
situazione e’ ancora instabile e non permette di prendere ulteriori
iniziative.
I Camilliani vengono riconosciuti come “affidabili” e molti aiuti arrivano
alle nostre case per essere distribuiti. A tutt’oggi i Camilliani stanno
arrivando a coprire circa 1260 famiglie suddivise nei territori di Boso
Boso (750 famiglie), di Cainta (400 famiglie) di Pasig (52 famiglie), di
Medhaven (40 famiglie) e di Cogeo (15 famiglie).
2. Prospettive / stadiazione
Lentamente – anche se ancora non si puo’ porre la parola fine poiche’ ha
ripreso a piovere – la I fase dell’emergenza (sostegno ai bisogni vitali)
sta lasciando il posto alla II fase, caratterizzata da un intervento
mirato a manifestazioni di malattia e di focolai di epidemnia. Gia’ ci
sono le avvisaglie e i Camilliani hanno iniziato a immagazzinare
medicinali.
Infatti, i Camilliani pensano che nel prossimo futuro allestiranno alcuni
team medici per venire incontro ai bisogni sanitari delle vittime.
Volontari e staff dei nostri Centri medici sono gia’ stati allertati.
Un’ ultima fase in cui i Camilliani si vogliono impegnare e’ quella della
riabilitazione, attraverso la fornitura di nuove case. Questo e’ un paino
piu’ avanzato per il quale verranno descritti appositi progetti. Si e’
comunque fatta una prima scrematura su chi ricevera’ i fondi e sulle
condizioni per l’ erogazione degli stessi. Saranno dati in forma di
prestito da restituire senza interesse, cosi’ da mantenere un corpus fund.
Questo si applichera’ soprattutto con i molti dipendenti delle nostre
istituzioni sanitarie, colpiti gravemente dalle inondazioni.
3. Bisogni attuali
Soprattutto a Boso Boso, area al di fuori della metropoli e difficilmente
raggiungibile (se ne occupa P. Meng) continua ad esserci bisogno di cibo,
vestiario e medicine. Servono anche utensili.
Qui si pone un grosso problema per la ricostruzione essendo gli abitanti
del villaggio “abusivi”.
4. Il contruibuto della Provincia
Attualmente la Provincia Filippina non puo’ provvedere se non con tagli ad altre
voci di spese. Allertera’ le missioni in Taiwan e Australia per ricevere
una donazione. P. Weber – che aiuta generosamente l’ospedale di Mati – si
e’ fatto vivo.
A questo scopo si e’ deciso che tutti i fondi passerranno attraverso la
CTF Central e singoli donatori camilliani verranno dirottati a CTF
Central.
5. Impegno di CTF Central
Abbiamo convenuto di offrire un aiuto di 15.000 euro a copertura delle
immediate esigenze (vedi sopra, bisogni) e per l’acquisto di medicinali
che stanno per essere razionati (furbi i farmacisti!).
Domani inviero’ il Conto Corrente della Provincia e chiedo a P. Paolo di provvedere da Roma.
Ci chiediamo se SOS Drs puo’ gia’ iniziare a fare qualcosa, in attesa che
benefattori inizino a riempire il conto appena aperto.
Con i soldi raccolti verra’ organizzato una specie di magazzino a cui
affluirannno i religiosi delle varie comunita’ impegnate nell’opera di
soccorso.
6.Prossimo raduno CTF Philippines: torneremo a radunarci il 6 ottobre p.v.
Finiamo coll’appello di Padre Meng [Domenico S. Barawid] chi sta alla parocchia in Boso-Boso, alla periferia di Manila. Il 2 Ottobre lui scrive –
“Ringraziamo il Signore che siamo ancora vivi. Stiamo vivendo realmente un situazione molto difficile, tuttavia crediamo che questo momento può essere trasformato in un tempo di grazia.
Allego il rapporto della nostra MSK sulle famiglie della nostra parrocchia colpite dal tifone. Abbiamo urgente bisogno di cibo, medicine, utensili per cucinare e per mangiare, materassi, coperte e materiale per ricostruire le abitazioni e i luoghi di lavoro. Apprezziamo grandemente qualsiasi cosa sarete in grado di donarci. Grazie per la vostra sensibilità e costante interessamento.
In fede,
Vostro P. Domingo S. Barawid, MI – Parroco
Donate/Donare-Typhoon(Philippines)
Italia – Conto Bancario In Italia
Chi volesse aiutare con un contributo può farlo attraverso il conto bancario aperto per l’emergenza:
Nome: EMERGENZA INDONESIA / FILIPPINE 2009
IBAN: IT 54 E0351203200000000011643
Per versamenti dall’estero (cioè fuori dall’Italia), bisogna aggiungere il codice Swift:
BIC SWIFT: ARTIITM2
Italy – Bank Account in Italy
EMERGENCY INDONESIA-PHILIPPINE 2009
For everyone wants to help with a donation
For those who wish collaborate in the rescue through a donation, we have open a special bank account. Here are the particulars:
Name: EMERGENZA INDONESIA-FILIPPINE 2009
IBAN: IT 54 E0351203200000000011643
For those who reside outside Italy, a swift code has to be added:
Bic swift: ARTIITM2
P. Scott F. Binet MD, MI
Coordinatore Internazionale – CTF
4 Ottobre – 2009
Festa di San Francesco di Assisi
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Il Tifone Ketsana ha Colpito le Filippine -1
A cura di CTF-SOS DRS [Camillian Task Force - Servants of St. Camillus Disaster Relief Services] -
Padre Scott Binet MD, MI
Il CTF-SOS DRS sta prestando aiuto alle vittime del tifone Ketsana. Le forze della natura, che hanno provocato grandi devastazioni, al momento attuale si stanno dirigendo verso una quarta nazione asiatica, il Laos, dopo aver lasciato uno strascico di distruzione e morte attraverso il sud-est asiatico.
Mercoledì mattina il numero delle vittime causato dal furore del ciclone era salito a 325: almeno 256 nelle Filippine, 74 in Vietnam e 9 in Cambogia.
Il paese più colpito, le Filippine, ha cominciato mercoledì il lento lavoro di pulizia da fango e detriti. Mentre stavano facendo questo lavoro, i loro occhi erano fissi ad un altro ciclone proveniente dall’Oceano Pacifico. Il ciclone ha toccato quasi due milioni di persone e ne ha obbligato all’evacuazione 567.000. Ad un certo punto, l’80 per cento della capitale Manila era inondata dall’acqua, facendo così esperienza della più grossa precipitazione degli ultimi 40 anni.
CTF-SOS DRS sta già prestando soccorso nelle Filippine. Fratel Luca Perletti MI, membro sia del CTF Central che del board di SOS DRS si trova nelle Filippine e coordina il soccorso assieme a P. Charley Ricafort MI, il responsabile del CTF Philippines… Assieme a P. Ivo Anselmi MI, Provinciale della Provincia Filippina dei Ministri degli Infermi, e altri membri di CTF Philippines (P. Rolly MI, P. Meng – Domingo Barawid – MI), Fratel Luca e P. Charley stanno organizzando i primi soccorsi – che sono già in atto – alle vittime del disastro.
I Camilliani, i loro parrocchiani e le persone impiegate nelle istituzioni camilliane Medhaven “>sono stati colpiti seriamente dal ciclone. Le case di 6 membri dello staff del St. Camillus Medhaven sono state completamente spazzate via dall’acqua e membri del programma di riabilitazione basati sul territorio di Medhaven, Tumana, Balubad e Malanday sono stati gravemente colpiti. Circa 50 famiglie, su 180, del programma basato sul territorio, sono vittime del disastro.
CTF Philippines ha fornito cibo di prima necessità alle vittime e gli studenti Camilliani di teologia hanno portato provviste di cibo ad un quartiere di Manila.
Uno dei partner locali del CTF Philippines – La Parrocchia Sagrada Familia (attraverso la Task Force sulla coscientizzazione urbana) – ha perso 70 parrocchiani, per lo più bambini, mentre 650 famiglie sono state colpite nel quartiere di Silangan, a Quezon city.
Due parrocchie camilliane nella diocesi di Antipolo (Sitio San Josep e Sitio Malaking Parang) sono state colpite in modo molto forte dal tifone e dalla susseguente inondazione. Circa 50 famiglie di varie parrocchie hanno bisogno di cibo, medicine, attrezzature per cucinare e mangiare, materassi, coperte e materiale per ricostruire le loro abitazioni. Il CTF Philippines sta inviando sul posto un tir di articoli di prima assistenza che saranno distribuiti alle famiglie colpite dal disastro dal personale di soccorso.
SOS DRS stabilisce negli Stati Uniti un fondo di solidarietà per le vittime del tifone; lo stesso fa il CTF Central a Roma. Invierò informazioni dettagliate a tale riguardo. P. Aristelo Miranda MI – membro del CTF Philippines – si trova in Canada per ricercare fondi con i quali far fronte al disastro del tifone. La popolazione del Canada ha già risposto generosamente all’appello: il Signore la benedica. Possa Egli essere misericordioso verso le vittime del disastro. Ricordiamole nelle nostre preghiere, assieme alle loro famiglie ed ai soccorritori.
Padre Dr. Scott Binet MI
Coordinatore internazionale del CTF
Presidente di SOS DRS
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Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Typhoon Ketsana in the Philippines – 1
CTF-SOS DRS is helping the victims of Typhoon Ketsana, the devastating disaster recently downgraded to a tropical depression, that is now aiming for a fourth Asian nation, Laos, after leaving a trail of destruction and death across southeast Asia.
By Wednesday morning, the death toll from the storm’s rage had topped 325: at least 246 in the Philippines, 74 in Vietnam and nine in Cambodia.
The worst-hit country, the Philippines, began the slow process of clearing up mud and debris Wednesday. Even as they did so, Filipinos kept their eyes peeled on another storm looming in the Pacific Ocean. The storm affected nearly 2 million people and forced the evacuation of 567,000. At one point, 80 percent of the capital Manila was under water after experiencing the heaviest rainfall in 40 years.
CTF-SOS DRS is already helping in the Philippines. Brother Luca Perletti MI, a member of both CTF Central and the board of SOS DRS is in the Philippines coordinating the relief response together with Fr. Charley Ricafort MI, the leader of CTF Philippines. Along with Fr. Ivo Anselmi MI, the Provincial of the Philippine Province of the Ministers of the Infirm, and other members of CTF Philippines (Fr. Rolly MI, Fr. Meng [aka Fr. Domingo Barawid, MI), Brother Luca and Fr. Charley are further organizing a disaster response that has already begun.
The Camillians, their parishioners, and workers at Camillian institutions were severely affected by the storm. Six staff members of St. Camillus Medhaven had their houses totally washed out and members of the community- based rehab program of Medhaven in Tumana, Balubad, and Malanday were gravely affected. About 50 families out of the 180 members of the community-based program were vicitms.
CTF Philippines has provided initial food supplies to the victims, and Camillian scholastics (students) brought relief supplies to one baranguay (neighborhood) in Marikina.
One of the local partners of CTF Philippines - Sagrada Familia Parish (through the Task Force on Urban Conscientization) - lost 70 parishioners (mostly children). 650 families were affected in Barangay Silangan, Quezon City.
Two Camillian parishes in the Diocese of Antipolo (Sitio San Josep and Sitio Malaking Parang) were significantly affected by the Typhoon and the subsequent flooding. Some 50 families at the parishes are in significant need of support for food, medicines, cooking and eating utensils, mats and blankets and materials in rebuilding their homes and livelihood. CTF Philippines is sending a truckload of humanitarian assistance to the site that will be utilized by relief workers to help the families.
SOS DRS is establishing a relief fund in the US specifically for Typhoon Ketsana as is CTF Central in Rome. I will make designated account information available soon. Similarly, Fr. Aristelo Miranda MI - a member of CTF Philippines - is in Canada raising funds for the Typhoon relief effort. The people in Canada have already responded generously. May the Lord bless them. And may He be merciful to the victims of the disaster. Let us keep them, their families and the relief workers in our prayers.
Tajfun Ketsana w Filipinach – 1
30 Wrzesień, 2009
CTF-SOS DRS (CTF: Camillian Task Force, [translacja: Służba Specjalna Zakonu Kamilianóv]; SOS DRS: Servants of Saint Camillus Disaster Relief Services [translacja: Służba Organizacji Pomocy Swiętego Kamila] pomaga ofiariom Tajfunu Ketsana, rujnującej katastrofie ostatnio obniżonej do stanu depresji tropicalnej, która obecnie celuje na czwarte państwo Azjatykie–Laos, po opuszczeniu drogi ruini i śmierci poprzez Azję południowo–wzchodnią. Artykuł i wideo.
Do środy rano, liczba ofiar śmiertelnych tajfunu przewyższyła 325; minimum 246 na Filipinach, 74 w Vietnamie i dziewięć w Kambodji.
Najbardziej poszkodowany kraj, Filipiny, rozpoczą w środę powolny proces usuwania i oczyszczania z błota i gruzów. Nawet czyniąc to Filipińczycy mają oczy zwrócone na nowy sztorm początkójący na Oceanie Pacifiku. Tyfun dotknoł prawie 2 miliony ludzy, i zmusił do ewakujacji 567,000. W tym czasie, 80 procent miasta Manili było pod wodą po doświadczeniu największych opadów deszczowych w okresie 40 lat.
CTF-SOS DRS już pomaga Filipinam. Br. Łukasz Perletti MI, członek zarówno CTF Centralny i wydziału SOS DRS jest już na Filipinach coordinując akję pomocy wraz z Ks. Karolem Ricafort MI, kierownikiem CTF na Filipinach. Wraz z Ks. Ivo Anselmi MI, kierownikiem Prowincialnym Prowincji Filipin Ministerstwa Zdrowia i innymi członkami CTF (Ks. Rolly MI, Ks. Meng [także znany jako Ks. Domingo Barawid MI,]) Brat Lucasz i Ks. Karol rozpoczęli przygotowywanie reavakji na klęskę.
Kamilianie, ich parofianie i pracownicy w instytucjach Kamilianskich byli poważnie dotknięci przez sztorm. Domy sześćiu członków personelu sw. Kamiliusa w Medhaven zostały kompletnie zmyte i członkowie lokalnego programu odbudowy w Malanday byli poważnie poszkodowani. Około 50 rodzin z około 180 członków programów lokalnych było ofiarami.
CTF Filipiny dostarczył początkowo zapasy żywności do ofiar, a Kamilianie studenci przywierźli pomocne produkty do jednej okolicy w Marakina.
Jeden z lokalnych wspólników CTF Filipiny, Parafia Rodziny Sagrady (Przez Task Force on Urban Conscientization [Grupę nad Swiadomością Miejską]) straciła 70 parafian (przeważnie dzieci) 650 rodzin było poszkodowanych w Barangay Silangan, Miasto Quezon.
Dwa parafie Kamilianskie w Diecezji Antipolo (sitio sw. józefa i sitio Malaking Parang) były poważnie dotknięte przez tajfun i następujące powodzie. Okolo 50 roodzin w parafiach jest w poważnej potrzebie pomocy w postaci żywności, lekarstw, przyborów do gotowania i jedzenia, mat i koców oraz materialów do odbudowy ich domów i egzystencji. CTF Filipiny posyła ładunek pomocy humanitarnej do okolicy w której będzie użyty przez pracowników do pomocy rodzinom.
SOS DRS tworzy fundusz pomocy w USA specificznie dla Tajfunu Ketsana, podobnie jak czyni CTF Centralny w Rzymie. Ja podam wkrótce informacje co do konta zbiórki . Podobnie Ks. Aristela Miranda MI, członek CTF Filipina, jest w Kanadzie zbierając fundusze na pomoc ofiar tajfunu. Ludność Kanady już odpowiedziała ofiarnie. I niech Bóg ich Błogosławi. I niech będzie łaskowy dla ofiar kataklizmu. Miejmy ich, ich rodziny i pracowników pomocy w naszych modlitwach.
Taifun in Manila – Ketsana – Hilfe Tut Not – Die Kamillianer
">Taifun in Manila – Ketsana
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Tifón Ketsana en las Filipinas
30 de septiembre de 2009 por CTF-SOS DRS
Padre Scott Binet MD,MI
La Organización CTF-SOS DRS está colaborando en la ayuda a las víctimas del tifón Ketsana frente al reciente devastador desastre causado por ese tifón que ha declinado a tormenta tropical y que ahora está apuntando a una cuarta nación asiática, Laos, después de dejar un reguero de destrucción y muerte por Asia Sur-Oriental.
Por la mañana de miércoles, el registro de víctimas por la tormenta había alcanzado a 325: por lo menos 246 en las Filipinas, 74 en Vietnam y 9 en Camboya.
El país más afectado, las Filipinas, comenzó el proceso lento de limpiar el barro y los escombros. Mientras trabajaban en ello, los filipinos estaban atentos y preocupados por otra tormenta que asomaba en el Océano Pacífico. El Tifón Ketsana afectó a casi 2 millones de habitantes, obligando a la evacuación de 567.000 personas. En la capital Manila, el 80 por ciento de la ciudad estaba bajo el agua después de haberse producido las más intensas lluvias en 40 años.
CTF-SOS DRS ya ha iniciado sus acciones de ayuda en las Filipinas. El hermano Luca Perletti MI, miembro de CTF central y del Directorio de SOS DRS está en las Filipinas, coordinando acciones para la ayuda junto con Charley Ricafort MI, líder de CTF Filipinas. Junto a Ivo Anselmi MI, el encargado provincial de la provincia filipina, a los ministros de los miembros damnificados, y a otros integrantes de CTF Filipinas, tales como los capítulos Rolly MI, Meng, Domingo Barawid, MI del aka). El hermano Luca y Fr. Charley están organizando una respuesta frente al desastre que ha se ha iniciado.
Los Camillos, sus feligreses y trabajadores se vieron seriamente afectados por la tormenta. Seis miembros de personal de St. Camillus Medhaven tenían sus casas totalmente destruidas y los miembros de la comunidad instalaron el programa de reconstrucción de Medhaven en las localidades de Tumana, Balubad, y Malanday que era la más afectada. Cerca de 50 familias , además de los 180 miembros del programa comunitario estaban damnificados o eran víctimas del desastre.
CTF Filipinas ha proporcionado suministros de alimentos básicos a las víctimas, en tanto el colegio de los Camillos entregó ayuda a los vecinos de Marikina.
Uno de los socios locales de CTF Filipinas – la parroquia de Sagrada Familia (a través del grupo de trabajo en concientización urbana) – perdió 70 feligreses , en su mayoría niños y un total de 650 familias en Barangay Silangan, ciudad de Quezon fueron afectadas.
Dos parroquias de los Camillos en la diócesis de Antipolo (Sitio San José y Sitio Malaking Parang) fueron afectadas significativamente por el tifón y la inundación subsiguiente. Unas 50 familias en las parroquias requieren urgente de ayuda del alimentos, medicinas, utensilios de cocina, esteras y mantas y materiales para la reconstrucción de sus hogares y sobrevivencia. CTF Filipinas está enviando un camión de ayuda humanitaria al sitio que será utilizado por los voluntarios para ayudar a las familias.
El SOS DRS está estableciendo un fondo de ayuda en los E.E.U.U. específicamente para el tifón Ketsana al igual que la central de CTF en Roma. Les haré saber lo más pronto posible la información sobre la cuenta que se dispondrá para recibir la ayuda.. Del mismo modo, el capítulo Aristelo Miranda MI – miembro de CTF Filipinas – está en Canadá reuniendo fondos para el esfuerzo de salvataje humanitario para las víctimas del tifón. La gente en Canadá ha respondido de manera generosa. Que el Señor los bendiga y que lleve consuelo a las víctimas del desastre. Mantengamos nuestras oraciones para los familiares de las víctimas y para los voluntarios que están prestando su ayuda. Para todos ellos, nuestras plegarias.
Fr. Scott Binet MD, MI
Coordinador internacional – CTF
Presidente – SOS DRS
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Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Le Typhon Ketsana – Les Philippines
p. Scott Binet MD, MI
L’organisme CTF-SOS DRS . aide présentement les victimes du Typhon Ketsana. Ce fléau dévastateur qui a laissé des traces de destruction et de mort à travers l’Asie du sud-est, s’est récemment dégradé en une dépression tropicale, et vise maintenant une quatrième nation asiatique, le Laos.
En ce mercredi matin, le nombre de morts suite à la vigueur de cette tempête avait dépassé 325 : au moins 246 dans le Philippines, 74 au Viêtnam et 9 au Cambodge.
La région la plus touchée, les Philippines, commençait le lent processus de nettoyage de la boue et des débris mercredi. Tout en faisant cela, les Philippins ont gardé leurs yeux rivés sur une autre tempête menaçante qui a surgi dans l’océan pacifique. La tempête a affecté près de 2 millions de personnes et forcé l’évacuation de 567,000. A un certain moment, 80 % de la capitale, Manille, était sous l’eau, après avoir connu la pire chute de pluie en 40 ans.
La CTF-SOS DRS est déjà en train d’aider dans les Philippines. Le Frère Luca Perletti MI, un membre tant de la CTF que de la SOS-DRS, ainsi que le Frère Charley Ricafort MI, responsable de la CTF dans les Philippines, coordonnent ensemble les secours. Avec le Fr. Ivo Anselmi MI’ le Provincial de la province des Philippines pour l’ordre Camilllien et les autres membres de la CTF aux Philippines, (Fr. Rolly MI, Fr. Meng(aka Fr. Domingo Garawid, MI), le frère Luca et le frère Charley sont plutôt à poursuivre une réponse au désastre qui était déjà commencée.
Les Camilliens, leurs paroissiens et les travailleurs des institutions Camilliennes ont été sévèrement affectés par la tempête. Six membres du personnel du St. Camillus Medhaven ont vu leurs maisons totalement balayées par les eaux et les membres du program rehab de Medhaven dans Tumana, Balubad et Malanday ont été gravement affectés. Environ 50 des 180 familles de la communauté Medhaven ont été victimes.
La CTF Philippines, a fourni des ressources alimentaires initiales aux victimes et les étudiants de la communauté Camillienne ont apporté du secours au voisinage à Baranguay dans Marikina.
Un des partenaires locals de la CTF aux Philippines – la paroisse Sagrada Familia (à cause de l’effort du groupe sur la conscientisation urbaine) – a perdu 70 paroissiens (la majorité des enfants) . 650 familles ont été affectées dans Barangay Silangan, ville de Quezon.
Deux paroisses Camilliennes dans le diocèse de Antipolo (Sitio San Josep and Sitio Malaking Parang) ont été affectées de façon significative par le typhon et l’inondation subséquente. Environ 50 familles de nos paroisses ont véritablement besoin d’aide pour du support au niveau de la nourriture, des médicaments, des ustensiles pour cuire les aliments et manger, des tapis et couvertures ainsi que du matériel pour reconstruire leurs maisons et leurs moyens d’existence.
La CTF division Philippines, envoie présentement un camion rempli d’assistance humanitaire au site qui sera utilisé par les travailleurs qui s’emploieront à secourir les familles.
SOS DRS établie présentement un fond de secours aux États-Unis, spécialement pour le typhon Ketsana comme le fait le bureau central de la CTF à Rome. Je donnerai sous peu des informations au sujet de ce compte. De façon similaire, le fr. Aristelo Miranda MI – un membre de la CTF division Philippines – est au Canada pour une levée de fond en lien avec le typhon. Les gens au Canada ont déjà répondu généreusement. Puisse Dieu les bénir. Et puisse-t-il être miséricordieux pour les victimes de ce désastre. Gardons-les dans nos prières ainsi que leurs familles et les travailleurs qui leur portent secours.
Fr. Scott Binet MD, MI
Coordonateur International pour la CTF
Président de la – SOS DRS
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Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )CTF Philippines – A Brief History
Table of Contents – Summer-Fall 2009 – CTF-SOS DRS Newsletter
Fr. Aristelo Miranda, MI
Fr. Aris in Sacramento, California (August 2009)
A Brief Introduction to the Camillians in the Philippines: The Founders
The Camillians landed in the “Pearl of the Orient Sea”, the Philippines, in 1974. Fr. Antonio Crotti (+), Vice-Provincial Superior of the Far East Vice Province, Taiwan, identified the need to expand the Camillian ministry in the Philippines. He appointed two Camillian scholastics, Fr. Ivo Anselmi and Fr. Pietro Ferri (+), to travel from Taiwan to Manila to study theology at the Philippine Jesuit Foundation’s Loyola House of Studies. Immediately following their ordination to the priesthood, they established the first formation house in Quezon City where they began receiving candidates into the religious life. Years later, they established Our Lady of La Paz Parish in a underpriveleged but well-populated area of Makati City. The foundation of the parish was followed by the construction of a polyclinic. From 1986 onwards, more polyclinics and hospitals were established to serve the medical needs of the indigent on the various islands.
In 2003, the Philippine delegation was raised to the status of a province with two delegations, namely Taiwan and Australia. This strategy enabled the creation of a more dynamic ministry to the sick, including the provision of health care and the empowerment of the sick through Camillian health institutions, community health initiatives and chaplaincy services. At present, there are about 40 perpetually professed Filipino religious in the Philippine province who are serving the sick in the various regions of the Philippines and Australia. It is a pleasure to see so many young and vibrant individuals so eager to serve the Lord!
Disaster-Response History in the Philippines
Natural and man-made disasters are accepted as ordinary occurences in the Philippines. The Philippines ranks number five within the hierarchy of countries that regularly experience major natural catastrophes. It is one of the world’s most hazardous landmasses where volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, typhoons and the like are frequent phenomena. The existence of such calamities made us aware of the need to reflect and organize, with logic and prayer, some methods we could utilize to provide immediate responses to these exigencies as they occur.
In August 1999, a flash flood hit Marikina City where our college seminary is located. Just a few hours after the incident occurred, the St. Camillus College Seminary community in Marikina City, led by Fr. Aristelo Miranda MI, mobilized to provide assistance to the affected families. The team coordinated with the local government to render immediate services, transporting the victims to the large gymnasium which served as the evacuation center. For several weeks the Camillians assisted with medical needs, food and supplies for the center.
The Payatas Tragedy of July 2000 fostered the need for increased environmental awareness. Triggered by heavy rains, a mountain of rubbish at the old Payatas dump in Quezon City eroded and shifted, culminating in a landslide which buried alive hundreds of families and their homes. Fr. Aristelo Miranda MI, Fr. Charly Ricafort MI, Fr. Domingo Barawid MI and some Benedictine Sisters formed an alliance with Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (KADAMAY), an organization that provides assistance to the urban poor. In conjunction with the KADAMAY facility located on the site, the priests and sisters transported the wounded to the hospital, facilitated the distribution of relief goods and meticulously documented the individual cases of victims and survivors of the tragedy.
In December 2004, a flash flood and landslide hit the Quezon province, affecting thousands of families. The Camillians, led by the Commission on Justice and Solidarity in the World of Health- (CJSWH), formerly known as the Justice, Peace and Integrated of Creation – Order of St. Camillus [JPIC-OSC] Quick Reaction Team), responded by organizing a medical and relief goods distribution mission. From that time on, responding to disasters has been the charge of the CSJWH team of the Province. The team is composed of Fr. Aristelo Miranda, Fr. Charly T. Ricafort, Fr. Domingo Barawid, Fr. Samuel Cuarto and Fr. Junrey Ente.
In March 2006, the Southern Leyte Mudslide smothered the entire barangay of Guinsaugon with 28 meters of mud, causing 1002 recorded deaths and leaving 677 survivors. Under the guidance of Fr. Aris, the CTF group of the St. Camillus Hospital Calbayog Medical Team assisted with the medical needs of the evacuation center.
In December of the same year, Typhoon Reming assailed the entire region of Bicol. The CTF of Calbayog promptly organized a medical mission in response. Meanwhile, the CJSWH, led by Fr. Charly Ricafort and Fr. Samuel Cuarto, with the financial support of CTF Central, helped inhabitants to rehabilitate the fishing industry, the primary source of livelihood for many in the region.
Last year, the powerful Typhoon Frank slammed the province of Iloilo in the western Philippines, flooding several municipalities. The CTF Calbayog and our scholastics, in cooperation with the Diocesan Social Action Office of the Diocese of Jaro and the local government of Carles, Iloilo, responded. Services addressing the immediate needs of those affected on the island of Gigantes were provided through a medical mission led by Fr. James Roa MD, MI.
The Camillians implemented other improvements as well. One major development was the creation of a system to document the cases of the victims through the recording of information acquired during personal interviews.
Many of the disasters mentioned originated in great part as a result of human environmental misuse or neglect. For instance, illegal logging, quarrying and open-pit mining left land susceptible to landslides, soil erosion and flash floods. Poor waste disposal practices in garbage dumps contributes to the leaching of toxic wastes into the soil, contributing to soil instability and tainted crops.
Environmental protection and relevant preventative ecological measures have become the “food for thought” for the future of the organization as a necessary part of the formation and advocacy of the CTF in the Philippines.
Reflection on the Rome Experience
The first international convocation of the CTF in Rome last February (2009) was indeed an elevating and unifying experience. It was inspiring to learn that there is, within each one of our fellow Camillians and our collaborators, a desire to integrate and strengthen our efforts, and to be ever-available when man-made and natural disasters occur. The awareness we acquired of the existence of other organizations willing to assist with disaster-relief efforts when catastrophe strikes inspired us with an immense sense of consolation. Some of these entities, now our collaborators, existed even prior to the birth of the CTF. Thus, they have had the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and experience necessary to successfully combat the effects of natural disasters as they arise.
The conference presented an occasion to establish international collaboration and the pooling of each province’s human and material resources. We are not merely an isolated entity known as the Camillian Task Force but a dynamic, well-connected ministry formed for the benefit of the sick and the poor who constitute, in the eyes of St. Camillus, the “heart of God.”
Looking ahead: future plans for the CTF in the Philippines
In an attempt to organize and develop the Camillian Task Force ministry more fully, the provincial administration has committed itself to the creation of an administrative division of the Camillian Task Force in the Philippines.
A base for CTF operations will be established in the St. Camillus Polyclinic, Pasig City. Our regional Camillian health care institutions will cooperate in the establishment of various branches of the CTF within the region. The development, training and formation of CTF volunteers will receive immediate priority. In conjunction with the Commission on Justice and Solidarity in the World of Health (CJSWH) , the CTF will develop training modules for this purpose.
According to CJSWH Philippines team member Fr. Charly T. Ricafort, MI – a full-time social worker will be employed by the Philippine Province and assigned to oversee the project, which will be located in the St. Camillus Polyclinic-Pasig. In the event of a disaster or other CTF concerns, he or she will be instructed to prioritize response to these demands.
The social worker will receive CTF training and orientation to be funded by CTF Central. At the conclusion of the training, the social worker will design a training module for the purpose of educating personnel from our various Camillian institutions regarding appropriate disaster-response strategies in their respective areas.
The CJSWH and CTF orientation modules will be included in the new training modules to facilitate the integration of the new components and to ensure continuity of previous practices maintained within the CTF Philippines and CJSWH alliance.
More photos of CTF activities in the Philippines are available for viewing at: http://picasaweb.google.com/arismir/ISLANDMission?feat=email.
Fr. Aristela Miranda, MI
Susan M. Stefanski, Assistant Editor, CTF-SOS DRS Online Newsletter
Table of Contents – Summer-Fall 2009 – CTF-SOS DRS Newsletter
| The Catholic Catechism teaches. . . . All men are called to the same end: God himself. There is a certain resemblance between the unity of the divine persons and the fraternity that men are to establish among themselves in truth and love. |
Love of neighbor is inseparable from love of God.
(Catholic Catechism – 1878)
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An Unforgettable Disaster Anniversary-Together with Hurricane Ike Victims in Texas
Table of Contents – Summer-Fall 2009 – CTF-SOS DRS Newsletter
Fr. Aristelo Miranda, MI – CTF Philippines (in the USA from July to October 2009 doing MCP fundraising)
Last Sunday (Sept. 13), here at St. John Catholic Church in Port Arthur, TX , I presided at the Eucharist in commemoration of the 1st year anniversary of Hurricane Ike. This devastating disaster left serious damage to the life and property of much of the community of Port Arthur. I never thought of the disaster until I met Deacon Willie Posey who took me out last Saturday afternoon and brought me to the places that incurred heavy damage. I could still see the damaged houses, many of which are now abandoned. Port Arthur has suffered from two great hurricanes: Ike (2008) and Rita (2005 ) Hurricane Rita. The following day (Sunday) I presided at the Eucharist in two different churches (St. John’s and St. Paul’s). I had a chance to listen to many stories. I was touched in particular by the story of one lady from Sabine Pass. This town was severely affected by Hurricane Ike, but the people responded as a community in a marvelous way. The lady in Sabine Pass recounted how this was already the third time that she had to rebuild her house and her family. She took it as a sort of renewal of her faith in God and a thanksgiving for keeping her family still alive. Another sad story was what happened to the St. Paul mission church in Sabine Pass. It was heavily damaged by hurricane Rita in 2005, and it took them almost three years to rebuild the church. Finally in January 2008 the church was re-consecrated by the bishop together with the 23 families of the church and some members of the main parish of St. John. Then eight months later Hurricane Ike unleashed his wrath on Sabine Pass and not even one of the posts of the church was left standing. They were only able to salvage the tabernacle. Now only five family members are left in that church and they still meet each other on Sunday for the Eucharist. What is more interesting is that they are celebrating the Eucharist in the Anabaptist hall. Three different faiths take turns worshipping the Lord in that hall (Methodist, Baptist, Catholic). Sometimes great disasters can initiate occasions for solidarity and communion.
I was so privileged to celebrate and pray with the victims of Hurricane Ike. I was in a bit of a dilemma for a while not knowing whether I would make a fundraising appeal knowing that they themselves were still in the process of rebuilding and slowly getting away from their temporary shelters. Nevertheless, I went on as I normally do in my appeals. I noticed that it was just easy for me to talk about our mission (CTF-SOS DRS) since the people in Port Arthur and Sabine Pass could easily identify with what I was talking about. These people have treasured much the experience of solidarity and communion from people all over the world in the wake of the calamities that they have experienced. That gave them the strength to move on and hope to hang on. And it challenges them to share these treasures with those hopeless victims of man-made and natural disasters elsewhere. God indeed works and His presence is abundantly felt – especially in moments of helplessness and sufferings.
Unfortunately, I didn’t bring my camera to Port Arthur. I didn’t foresee the disaster anniversary. But I was able to see a lot of the city, its natural riches, the oil and marine resources and the damages brought about by Hurricanes Rita and Ike. Most importantly I spent time with the Christian community whose faith and prayers are the only weapons they have against all these natural calamities. Staying in Port Arthur for one week and celebrating the Eucharist with them everyday has been a truly unforgettable experience. Although I don’t have any visual memories (pictures), they are all written in my heart. (Fr. Aris Miranda, MI)
Table of Contents – Summer-Fall 2009 – CTF-SOS DRS Newsletter
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )LOOKING BACK AT THE MCP APPEALS ’09
Normally, for the past two years in Rome I spent my holidays in the hospital in the north of Italy or visited my confreres in Germany and joined in their annual pilgrimages. This year was a bit different, exciting and a new kind of adventure. I went to the United States last July 16 to join CTF- SOS DRS for their annual fundraising campaign in the various Catholic dioceses of the US. I had already planned to join
the pilgrimage of the German Province to the Holy Land this September but I gave it up for a more exciting ministry.
I have never been to the US and never thought of going there but the divine providence worked so hard that I could not refuse.
The day that I arrived in Atlanta airport on July 16 I was a bit uneasy since Rudy, who was going to pick me up, arrived late and I had to put my last 0.50 $ in the payphone to contact him. It was a meaningful but short acquaintance with Rudy. Getting to know persons with a great desire to serve the Lord according to their giftedness is one of the things that I have treasured most in these MCP appeals.
The following day, D’Ann Fisher, Sherman Runions and Mary Joe Runions picked me up in Atlanta heading towards our first mission appeals in the Archdiocese of Mobile, Alabama. I am a priest for about 15 years but this is my first time to deliver six Sunday homilies successively! I told this to the pastor and he laughed at me and said, “Welcome to the parish, Fr. Aris.” It was a real baptism by fire through preaching in the pulpit. This experience went on for more than a month and each of them was simply filled with a lot of learnings and blessings.
Mission appeals are not simply an activity of fundraising. Obviously, we do it to raise funds for a noble purpose but at the same time it is always an evangelizing experience. We evangelized people through awakening their innate generosity and kindness. We make them aware of their primary Christian vocation that is to love God and care for and through His people. We give them opportunity to exercise the gift of charity and make charity incarnate in the actual encounter with people – especially those who need most of our help. On the other hand, it made me aware that there are just too many generous people in this world and it’s my task to let them know how they can help in building the Kingdom of love and compassion.
As a neophyte missioner to the MCP appeals and a first-time visitor to the US, I am looking forward to repeating such a marvelous experience. I would be more than glad also if more Camillians and CTF-SOS DRS members were willing to lend their time and availability for the next year’s MCP appeals in order to keep our ministry to the victims of man-made and natural disasters growing and developing. By the way, I still have three more weekends to go for MCP appeals so keep watch for more exciting stories to come. (Fr. Aris Miranda, MI)
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( 1 so far )Camillian Task Force-Pastoral Centers 1 Conference Held in Madrid
CTF conference held in Madrid
| Written by Fr. Aris Miranda, MI – CTF Philippines
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 The Camillian Task Force (CTF Central) held a six-day conference at the Centro di Humanizacion (a Camillian pastoral center) in Madrid, Spain from July 9-15. The conference was hosted by the Spanish Province. Participants from Kenya, Italy, Spain and the Philippines (represented by Aris Miranda) joined the conference and shared their accomplishments and future plans for the promotion of the CTF mission. Most of the participants were our lay collaborators.
The conference was graced by the presence of two distinguished mentors in various fields of expertise. Magister Eva Munker-Kramer from Austria gave the conference on psychotraumatology as an approach in assisting disaster victims suffering from post-traumatic disorder. Mag. Eva runs a Center for Applied Psychotraumatology in Vienna. The second resource person, Fr. Arnaldo Pangrazzi, MI, gave the conference on Spiritual Care in Disasters. Fr. Arnaldo is a professor at the Camillianum Institute on Pastoral Health Care and an itinerant speaker on pastoral health care.
At the end of the conference, the participants took the major step of starting to develop a curriculum of formation for CTF volunteers as part of its strategic planning. CTF members saw the need to be more aggressive in its promotion due to the urgency of the time. The SOS DRS in the US is supporting all the efforts of the CTF in propagating its mission. Fr. Aristelo Miranda, MI CTF-Philippines
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