“Protecting and Fulfilling the Rights of the Child in the Light of Faith”

Lampara

LAMPARA - October to December 2008

Article Index

SPCC Celebrates Christmas With Kids

image024It was an early Christmas for the kids of Parokya ni San Jose Ang Tagapagtanggol when the Salvatorian Pastoral Care for Children held its annual gift-giving activity on December 13, 2008. Conducted at the Parish Function Hall, hundreds of children received various gifts donated by kind-hearted individuals

 

and organizations through SPCC. The children were gathered from the five different sub-parishes carefully chosen by Child Rights Advocates who are also members of the Parish Social Services and Development Ministry of Parokya ni San Jose Ang Tagapagtanggol. Aside from the many gifts, the children were treated to a party with songs and dances.

 

The CRA Kids presented a very interesting puppet show telling a Christmas story. The children had so much fun with themselves and, of course, enjoyed the food prepared especially for them by SPCC with the help of Lay Salvatorians and members of the San Jose Ang Tagapagtanggol Parish Social Services and Development ministry. The parish priest, Fr. Benito Claveria, OFM whose presence was conspicuous in the white cassock of the Franciscan Order, gave an inspirational talk and assisted in the distribution of gifts to the children. He stayed with them all throughout the afternoon activity together with the volunteers and the SPCC staff.

 

The gift-giving activity was very successful and the children look forward to having the same thing again next year.


SPCC Staff Christmas Party.

image013The SPCC staff celebrated the season of Christmas with a traditional party on December 20, 2008 which they held at a seafood restaurant in the seaside promenade behind the SM Mall of Asia. In photo from left: Jane Rendon, Sr. Carolina Lapara, SDS, Sr. Mary Adeline Abamo, SDS, Edith Dalisay, Divine Nobis, Lydia Arpon, Jasmin Merino, and Vladimir Castillo.The group exchanged gifts and shared a sumptuous dinner.


Revisiting the Partnership

The Agreement between SPCC and San Jose Ang Tagapagtanggol Parish has revisited on December 4, 2008 . The SPCC Quezon City Staff with the parish leaders of San Jose Ang Tagapagtanggol held a conference at the Parish Function Hall to assess the Child Protection Program in relation to the SPCC phase-out process and program sustainability. Mr. Leopoldo Moselina facilitated with Divine Nobis.


PES in Barangay Commonwealth

Trained Child Rights Advocates conducted a Parents' Effectiveness Seminar under the supervision of SPCC Staff at Barangay Commonwealth, Quezon City on November 10 to 11, 2008. The activity was part of the advocacy campaign of SPCC for responsible parenting as an adjunct to child protection.


The CRAs of Cebu Met the Visiting Staff of SPCC- Quezon City

image005The Quezon City team was able to meet the CRAs of Cebu City with whom they had a fruitful dialogue and who explained the impact of the child protection program to their lives. They explained that it gave meaning to their pastoral mission with women and children who had special problems and issues. The talks bared the fact that the CRA's in Quezon City as well as in Cebu have similar experiences. They encounter the same problems and situations of abuse and exploitation, and like the CRA's of Quezon City they found strength and empowerment in dealing with the problems they encountered with the help of the knowledge and skills they learned through the trainings provided by SPCC.

 

During the trip, the two SPCC teams enkindled a deep relationship. Aside from the joint activities, they visited together points of interest in Cebu City; like the famous Magellan's Cross, the Basilica and image of the Holy Child, Fort San Pedro, Taoist Temple, Mt. Tabor Pilgrimage Park, etc.

 

The trip to Cebu was an enlightening experience not just for the Quezon City team but also for the SPCC staff in Cebu City with whom they journeyed together. The group rediscovered their purpose and commitment for the mission. In the retreat, Fr. Cornelio Alpuerto, SVD said that the mission for children and women is an extension of the apostolate of service which brings the presence of Christ to the people. As workers, they are not only apostles but also disciples who pray by listening to the Will of God and the needs of others. Thus the work is not only discipleship but also apostleship. Yes, the Cebu trip was not just a journey of the body but that of the soul.


THE BCPC - HOLY SPIRIT... Taking Big Strides in Advocacy

BCPC's (Barangay Council for the Protection of Children) are alive and well. The most vibrant example is the BCPC of Barangay Holy Spirit, Quezon City. Led by Honorable Barangay Chair Estrella Valmocina, fondly called by her constituents as Kapitana, the Council has taken great advances in strengthening and keeping the spirit of BCPC in touch with present realities.

One of its pet projects is the supplemental feeding program for clinically underweight children of the Barangay. Supported by Pondo ng Pinoy and working in close coordination with SPCC and the PSSDM of San Jose Ang Tagapagtanggol Parish, the BCPC launched on October 11, 2008 a six-month feeding program. Mothers and other volunteers helped in preparing and serving meals at the Barangay Hall Annex for the 75 children who directly benefitted in the project. There are plans to continue with the feeding program in other areas of the community.

Capability building of its volunteers is a major concern. Towards this end, members of the BCPC attended a two-day training seminar on Pastoral Counseling at the Sacred Heart Seminary and Retreat House in Lagro, Novaliches, Quezon City on December 9-10, 2008 facilitated by SPCC with Fathers Terry Iral, Pepe Manteca and Medel Aseo.The trained volunteers form the so-called support group who are the ones primarily un-dertaking management of cases of children and women that require attention.

It is still a long way towards achieving the goals set by the BCPC of Brgy. Holy Spirit, Quezon City but the road is clear with Kapitana and her devoted volunteers.


Recollection Day of Youth and Kids Child Rights Advocates

In training Child Rights Advocates, SPCC aims for a holistic formation. This entails not only capability building but also spiritual development. So, part of the annual ritual of CRA's is attending retreats and recollections to give them the opportunity to reflect on the Will of God and to renew their commitment to the mission for women and children. Adults, youths, and kids are given separate schedules to allow them enough space to express their particular dynamics.

The CRA Youths held their recollection on November 23, 2008 at the Holy Trinity Chapel in Barangay Commonwealth, Quezon City while the CRA Adults gathered for the same activity on November 29, 2008 at the House of Angels School in Barangay Holy Spirit, Quezon City. The latter location also served as venue for the recollection of the CRA Kids. The three-day activity was ably facilitated by Sr. Carolina Lapara, SDS who based her talks from the Spirituality of Stewardship which is a vital component of Basic Ecclesial Communities. As pastoral workers, CRA's play a vital role in the evangelization of people by bringing them closer to God through their service to others. They share their time, talent, and treasure (the 3 T's) in the parish for the welfare of women and children with special issues and problems.


Case Updates

The following summary is the result of direct services undertaken by the Child Protection Office of Parokya ni San Jose Ang Tagapagtanggol for the last quarter of 2008: