austraLasia #3316

  
Prayer, Facts, Film, Helping Hands...

CEBU:  17 November 2013 --  A week later, international aid is now arriving in the worst hti areas in the afetrmath of the Typhoon in the Philippines. Thre is increased aid and support activity going on too in the Salesian worlld, beginning with the Philippines itself. In addition to earlier reports from the DBN operation, the following are of interest.

Missioni Don Bosco (Turin)
Missioni Don Bosco in Turin is using one of its key assets (it has its own online tv site) to highlight the needs in the Philippines following Yolanda/Haiyan. Click on the 'emergenza filippine' image above. Fr Zuffetti, MDB director, was himself stationed in the Philippines years ago.
Salesian Missions New Rochelle
Two approaches by Salesian Missions in New Rochelle (also a member of DBN) are likely to be very effective in the US context. They have a prayer especially written for the event, and a set of 'Fast Facts':
Prayer For Those Affected By The Typhoon
Let us ask the Lord for his mercy and help for suffering people in the Philippines.

Lord, please bring courage, strength and healing to all the people who were devastated by that storm in Asia.  For all who are now without home or livelihood because of Typhoon Haiyan - help them O God. For all who have lost loved ones in thedisaster-- give them faith!    For all who have perished, grant Eternal Life.
For all who will rebuild,---- we give thanks and send strength and good leadership.
God, give us, here in our homes (far away from this disaster), the ability to do something--- a prayer or a donation.  Hear our prayer!
As we approach Thanksgiving , Grant us the wisdomto serve others as Christian Disciples.  Help us never to forget your command to love the poor and needy.
Help us do what we can to relieve the pain of those who suffer.
We ask this in Jesus Name---Amen.
Mary help of Christians--Pray for Us.

Example from the 'Fast Facts' sheet:
SALESIAN MISSIONARIES WORKING ON THE GROUND IN THE PHILIPPINES:

• Currently the Salesians are targeting to assist 8.5 million persons, or 200,000 families affected. Salesian Missions, in New Rochelle, NY, is providing financial and logistical support.
• Food, water and tents (for temporary shelters) have been identified as top priorities.
• Immediately after the typhoon struck, Salesian missionaries, students and volunteers began working to prepare an initial 30,000 relief packages (containing food and survival essentials) to help victims. These should be distributed by the weekend. 
• Mary Help of Christians School (in Cebu) opened their gymnasium to the shelter people during the typhoon. When water began coming in, they moved to classrooms. The buildings held out and they were able to offering shelter to victims. They began serving meals after the typhoon passed. (Photos available at above link.)
• The Salesians plan to get involved in rehabilitation work once the emergency phase passes and assessments are made.
• The Salesians in the Philippines have designated 11 drop-off centers to receive donations in Cebu, Davao Oriental and Negros Occidental, and have issued a call for volunteers to help assemble relief packages.  A list of these sites is available at www.donboscomissionsfund.org.
• The Salesians have a large presence on the ground in cities across the Philippines, including Borongan. From the main Salesian headquarters in Cebu, local Salesians are working to assist typhoon victims in Eastern and Western Visayas.
• The Salesians have been working to help vulnerable children and families in the Philippines since 1950.

FIN - Parañaque que efforts ; MHC Parish Makati       
The theology students and the EAO Brother's Community at Parañaque, south of Manila, have been putting in their bit. As our correspondent indicates:

"At 12 noon today, our confreres at the Don Bosco Center of Studies in Paranaque, together with their students celebrated the Holy Mass for the intentions of those who have been affected by the typhoon. Upon the initiative of the student council, the students and staff donated goods which will be sent to affected areas. 

Just yesterday, our students of theology at the Seminaryo ng Don Bosco in Paranaque, with some priest-formators, absented themselves from their class and headed to Caritas-Manila to help in the relief efforts. They loaded up three trucks with sacks of goods.    

Meanwhile, the EAO Salesian Brothers Community assisted the sorting and packing of relief goods at the St. John Bosco Parish in Makati City. They joined the other volunteers coming from the Don Bosco Press School of Printing and the Don Bosco Technical Institute (Makati)."