CEBU Archbishop Jose Palma urged the faithful to remember all the blessings they receive despite the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
The prelate said this during the sendoff mass he presided for the launching of the 500 Years of Christianity’s (500 YoC) “Bags of Hope” initiative, at the Cebu Archdiocesan Shrine of San Pedro Calungsod, Sunday morning, April 18, 2021.
“I often repeat that yes, there is Covid in the air, but we were not paralyzed and in fact, so many appreciated what they have seen. If we just focus on the more significant events: The Triduum (for the 500 YoC last April 14 to 16) was certainly a wonderful experience,” he said.
Palma emphasized that despite the limitations on the Triduum celebration brought about by the pandemic, the Papal Nuncio to the Philippines, Archbishop Charles Brown, before he left for New York, congratulated the Archdiocese for what he considered a “very wonderful and inspiring experience.”
Brown presided over the pontifical mass for the commemoration of the first baptism in the country on April 14 at the Plaza Sugbo in Cebu City.
“It made me happy to know that the likes of Papal Nuncio appreciated what we have done and celebrated,” he said.
As part of the 500 YoC celebration, Palma gave his blessing to the Five Loaves and Two Fish Inc. (FLTFI) which will distribute 1,200 “Bags of Hope” to 12 remotely located parishes of the Archdiocese within the Jubilee year.
In line with the 500 YoC theme of “Gifted to Give,” the FLTFI and the Archdiocese will work on the project until April 2022.
Each of the chosen parishes of the FLTFI (whose members were also part of the 51st International Eucharistic Congress’ Committee on Food in 2016), will have 100 recipients of the bags that contain basic food items like five kilograms of rice, canned goods, cooking oil, noodles, coffee and the quincentennial cross.
The program commenced in Brgy. Pamutan, a mountain barangay in Cebu City, under the jurisdiction of Mary Help of Christian Parish in Brgy. Buhisan on April 18.
The public is also encouraged to donate by contacting the organization at 0916-234-6151 or by sending it a message at 5loaves2fish.cebu@gmail.com. (WBS)