My Appreciation
For several weeks ago, just right after the Super Typhoon Reming (Durian) that hit my country, the Philippines, my mind has been constanly wandering- trying to picture the kind of devastation that wrought out my hometown, homeDiocese, my home region- and most of all my people: KABABAYAN.I tried to call my brother a hundred times but unfortunately failed. All the communicational infrastructures were down and had been completely damaged.
A week ago, a letter came from Bishop Lucilo Qiambao with a touching introduction that says:" WE ARE BACK TO THE BASICS- NO STATIONARIES, NO COMPUTERS, TYPEWRITERS, ETC."Everything was soaked in flash flood up to five feet. With this letter including the news at home, the picture of the devastation is getting clearer.
Last Christmas upon receiving a holiday greetings/gifts, I was overjoyed with your thoughtfulness and kindness. My gratitude for remembering me in this Christmas season.
I hope this short letter serves as my LETTER OF APPRECIATION for the Christmas card/ gifts I received from you.
Kindly visit orphansofstjude.org for more information about St. James Church exciting MISSION OUTREACH FOR THE ORPHANS in the Philippines.
This coming April - to May: My mission to looking for Orphans in Philippines starts. Please keep me in your prayers as we embark to this very noble project.
All for the Glory of God,
Fr. Jude C. Vera
Letter to the Bishop:
February 23, 2007Feast of St. Polycarp
Most Reverend Robert N. Lynch
Bishop of St Petersburg Diocese
Dear Bishop Lynch:
Please accept my sincerest and profound gratitude for your blessing and support for this exciting OUTREACH MISSION in my home Diocese Legazpi City, Philippines.
Indeed the Holy Spirit breathed on you and gave you a very special task to look after the needs of those who were almost left hopeless by the devastation. Thank you for your untiring effort, dedication, commitment and love for the poor, particularly the victims of calamities.
I thank God for he has chosen you - a very sympathetic person who never fails to answer the needs of the poor. Indeed, it is never easy to be the National Director of Catholic Relief Services. In my 6 years of stay in this Diocese, I have witnessed your great enthusiasm and joy every time you speak to us about the poor and how we can be of help to them. I will not deny that after listening to your speeches, exhortations and homilies a part of what I am doing right now was a result of those inspiring admonitions … put the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the hearts of everyone, specially to the marginalized.
Bishop, I am grateful to God and to you for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be able to work in this Christ-Centered Diocese of St Petersburg.
Glory and Praise to God.
Fr. Jude C. Vera
2007 Thanksgiving Mass Message:
Perhaps some of you must have visited the orphansofstjude.org website. Prominent symbol of the logo is a red heart with angels on top and of course, the cross which reminds everyone the presence of Jesus Christ in every human heart. The primary reason why they are together…because it represents a particular indelible picture that speaks volume of everyone's generosity. "SHARING COMING FROM THE HEART". The second collection raised for educational trust fund for the orphans explicitly showcase our ability to pull together our material blessings and made a perpetual impression that IF GENEROSITY IS DONE OUT OF LOVE then we can really make a difference in every work we do…and at the same time bring a lasting moral and spiritual impact to their beneficiaries.Last Christmas on top of the collection raised for the Orphans, a good hearted soul created the idea of introducing the Typhoon Durian Christmas Cards. These beautiful and cute cards generated approximately $2,500.00. Certainly most of you must have purchased this card and I do want to thank you for your untiring support for the benefit of the Orphans. On this THANKSGVING MASS I would like to take this opportunity to express my love and appreciation to MARION GAWLOWICZ who brought the idea of creating and making UNIQUE CHRISTMAS CARDS and made available to everyone of us.
Fr. Bob, I and others happily received this inspiring card. Every time we open it, we feel joy and gladness in our hearts for we deeply realized that in spite of the devastation, loss of life, agony and pain , other peace loving people are doing their best repairing moral and spiritual damage wrought by constant passing of natural calamities in some unfortunate areas in our planet. Tonight I would like to let you know people of God of this Parish of St. James Church for manifesting extra ordinary effort - going beyond the ordinary of caring for the unfortunate in the name of Love and in the name of Jesus that binds us all. Absolutely, these are the memorable occasions to help that will not go unnoticed in eyes of our Loving God and Father. It will be in my constant prayer that your heart remains as generous as ever especially in moments like this. May the bountiful hearts Jesus who is the source of all goodness reward you a hundredfold and may you never get tired of sharing your blessings to those in need.
My special mention to our Pastor Fr. Bob Kuzmann for generously supporting this exciting OUTREACH MISSION OF ST. JAMES CHURCH in my home Diocese, Legazpi City. His love for the poor and the helpless show us a great example and clear picture of the Gospel of Christ in action. Last but not least, for those who would like to be part of this ORDINARY MISSION that can generate EXTRAORDINARY RESULT, I do sincerely thank you in the name of Love for the poor and in the name of Jesus.
All glory and Praise to our God.
Fr. Jude C. Vera