1st Anniversary Dec.17, 2006-2007
It was a disaster that created the bond between two communities: Albay in the Philippines and Port Richey, Florida. It happened in late November 2006. A week before the joyous season. Christmas was in the air. Then the merriment and excitement ushering in the holidays just died down. Suddenly all that was visible was the black night and deafening was its silence. It was pitch-dark. By dint of fury, Mother Nature wielded and synchronized with pinpoint simultaneity all her elements. Gusty winds wailing at more than 275 kph. Torrential rains. Floods. Building-tall gigantic sea waves. Mudslide. Landslide. Rolling boulders, rocks, and stones. Then the eye of killer storm Reming completed a 360-degree turn. The devastator headed off for the seas. The 24- hour agony ceased. The day after … The once beautiful and bustling picturesque province of Albay was turned into a pitiful and devastated site of disaster, calamity, and catastrophe. Albay was virtually lying in state. Nevertheless, the Albayanos remained undaunted and resolute with their faith as they stood witness to the visible mercy of God. Behind Nature's wrath is God's design. Truly said and proven, God draws with crooked lines. And then there was the golden ray and the sweet silver song of the lark! The assistant priest of St. James the Apostle Catholic Church in Port Richey, Florida is Fr. Jude Vera. He hails from Albay. He learned about the disaster that wrought havoc in his home province. A thought struck him. He referred it to the then pastor Fr. Robert Kuzmann. He gave the green light. Then to Bishop Robert Lynch who gave his nod and blessings. Then with the assistance of Marion and Jim Gawlowicz, Pat Murphy, and Gary Wildgoose the Organization Orphans of St Jude - OSJ - was born! On December 17, 2006. It was a dream come true for Fr. Jude! Understandably the organization was envisioned for the orphans left by the killer storm. The death toll could not be told even in mournful numbers. Many were left orphans and homeless. Fr. Jude acted fast. And notably super fast was the generous response of St. James parishioners. Help poured in. The students of the parochial institution Bishop Larkin School played a very important part - donating, doing fund-raising activities and soliciting donations. Names of many kind-hearted people surfaced in the name of charity. To name a few: Charlie and Kathy Corelli, who donated blankets; Don Thomas who helped with a donation of backpacks, Ms. Ruth Anne Duda, who sent two huge boxes of clothing; Paul Card (from Bermuda) who sponsors a seminarian.The heart of the community was throbbing with unconditional love and generosity. Then in May 2007, with but one suitcase and with anxiety and eagerness, Fr Jude flew to Albay. It is pointless to elaborate here what he saw. It will just make the season miserable. In short, he was able to "gather" thirty (30) homeless orphans and extremely needy children: Each orphan, when interviewed, tried to cooperate in his own humble way. One used not words but tears to answer. A girl, who was the lone family survivor was so traumatized that she just stared at the blank wall. And there were some who managed to smile knowing that help was at hand.
All their heart-rending stories, if compiled, can be a bestselling saga; if filmed, a sure box-office hit. Sans light, sans camera, Fr. Jude immediately took action. He was running against the antagonist: Time. Time was so limited, exacting and demanding. He took the initial steps following the usual path of diocesan protocol. To the Bishop of Legazpi, Msgr. Nestor Cariño, and his Auxiliary Msgr. Lucilo Quiambao, and Bishop Emeritus Msgr. Jose Sorra; to the proper church authorities for approval, and then to the various priests, parochial staffs and individual who could keep the organization going when he would return to Florida. Then to homes and people who could share shelter, love, and warmth with an orphan taken in as a family member. Miraculously each person he turned to could not but generously give a resounding "yes." Whose charisma must have moved them? Two weeks sped away at the snap of a finger. Mission accomplished! Fr. Jude came back to Port Richey. He had with him a thank-you letter from his Excellency Bishop Lucilo Quiambao addressed to Bishop Lynch. Back to his parochial work at St. James. The first day he reported for work he himself mailed the thank-you letter. What a moral booster! During his absence there were the usual changes in the diocesan assignments. Fr. Robert Kuzmann, who helped him make his dream come true was no longer around. Bishop Robert Lynch had assigned a new pastor, Fr. Mike Cormier. It is very providential that he is with St. James. He is very supportive of the organization. In fact Fr. Mike has given Fr. Jude the special privilege to deliver the homily during the vigil and all the masses on the 28th of October- the Feast of St. Jude. This gave him a chance to present wholly the organization to the parishioners. And specially, to make the parishioners closer to the OSJ and vice-versa. Thanks to Fr Mike! Think about it! Bishop Robert Lynch gave OSJ his blessings. Fr. Robert Kuzmann played an important part in envisioning OSJ. St. Jude is the patron of the Diocese of St. Petersburg. See the play of names? And talking about names, have you ever wondered and asked why the organization was named after St. Jude? Is it because of its founder Fr.Jude Vera? No! No! This is the flat reason: According to him, the closest and compatible and significant prayer for the orphans is the Prayer to St. Jude Thaddeus, the patron of hopeless cases, of those who are helpless and alone. Orphans are alone. Orphans are helpless. With St. Jude's intercession, our orphans will never be alone again. Thank you, St. Jude! Each of them belongs now to a family and has regained normalcy. They do the normal activities of a happy and healthy individual: school, family, church, community, hobbies, and sports. They receive regularly their monthly allocations. They are doing good! With dignity! And now you can hear their laughter! Two are in the seminary. They need our constant prayers for their perseverance. For all we know, some of the 28 might heed also the call and be chosen. Assisting Fr. Jude is an active Staff of five teams: Accounting, Goods, Media, Newsletter, and Website. They meet every First Sunday of the month after the 12:00 noon Mass. In one meeting, team member Jéssica Dunphy presented a very novel and noble idea, the St. Jude Mail Box and gladly approved by the Pastor, Fr. Mike. It clicked! Today as you enter the main portal of St. James Church you will see the Mail Box so strategically situated that it cannot escape your eyes! You can't help but look at it. It is there waiting for you. It is there begging for your ideas, your suggestions, your response, and your generosity. As your eyes gaze on the St. Jude Mail Box, look to St. Jude who is interceding for our 30 children! And look to God. He is begging for your help. He is thanking you for your kind heart. And look to the once 30 needy and impoverished orphans of St. Jude. During the emergency meeting held last Oct. 21st Fr Jude gave us the good news! He received a letter from His Excellency Bishop Lucilo Quiambao mentioning that the ex-governor of Albay, Don Francisco González, is donating a portion of his property to be converted into a possible site of the organization. The Staff has already scheduled garage sales to take place after the holidays. Donations will be most welcomed. Understandably the proceeds will go to OSJ.The OSJ website is here to serve you. To keep you abreast with the activities of the organization, to update you about the orphans' activities, situation, etc., and keep you tab of the Accounting. This website is yours. Use it for your feedback. Our gratitude to Mr. & Mrs. Ben Rivera and Family for maintaining the website.
Merry Christmas…This is all for now. Hasta el próximo…
--(Marilou M. Sarte)
It was a disaster that created the bond between two communities: Albay in the Philippines and Port Richey, Florida. It happened in late November 2006. A week before the joyous season. Christmas was in the air. Then the merriment and excitement ushering in the holidays just died down. Suddenly all that was visible was the black night and deafening was its silence. It was pitch-dark. By dint of fury, Mother Nature wielded and synchronized with pinpoint simultaneity all her elements. Gusty winds wailing at more than 275 kph. Torrential rains. Floods. Building-tall gigantic sea waves. Mudslide. Landslide. Rolling boulders, rocks, and stones. Then the eye of killer storm Reming completed a 360-degree turn. The devastator headed off for the seas. The 24- hour agony ceased. The day after … The once beautiful and bustling picturesque province of Albay was turned into a pitiful and devastated site of disaster, calamity, and catastrophe. Albay was virtually lying in state. Nevertheless, the Albayanos remained undaunted and resolute with their faith as they stood witness to the visible mercy of God. Behind Nature's wrath is God's design. Truly said and proven, God draws with crooked lines. And then there was the golden ray and the sweet silver song of the lark! The assistant priest of St. James the Apostle Catholic Church in Port Richey, Florida is Fr. Jude Vera. He hails from Albay. He learned about the disaster that wrought havoc in his home province. A thought struck him. He referred it to the then pastor Fr. Robert Kuzmann. He gave the green light. Then to Bishop Robert Lynch who gave his nod and blessings. Then with the assistance of Marion and Jim Gawlowicz, Pat Murphy, and Gary Wildgoose the Organization Orphans of St Jude - OSJ - was born! On December 17, 2006. It was a dream come true for Fr. Jude! Understandably the organization was envisioned for the orphans left by the killer storm. The death toll could not be told even in mournful numbers. Many were left orphans and homeless. Fr. Jude acted fast. And notably super fast was the generous response of St. James parishioners. Help poured in. The students of the parochial institution Bishop Larkin School played a very important part - donating, doing fund-raising activities and soliciting donations. Names of many kind-hearted people surfaced in the name of charity. To name a few: Charlie and Kathy Corelli, who donated blankets; Don Thomas who helped with a donation of backpacks, Ms. Ruth Anne Duda, who sent two huge boxes of clothing; Paul Card (from Bermuda) who sponsors a seminarian.The heart of the community was throbbing with unconditional love and generosity. Then in May 2007, with but one suitcase and with anxiety and eagerness, Fr Jude flew to Albay. It is pointless to elaborate here what he saw. It will just make the season miserable. In short, he was able to "gather" thirty (30) homeless orphans and extremely needy children: Each orphan, when interviewed, tried to cooperate in his own humble way. One used not words but tears to answer. A girl, who was the lone family survivor was so traumatized that she just stared at the blank wall. And there were some who managed to smile knowing that help was at hand.
All their heart-rending stories, if compiled, can be a bestselling saga; if filmed, a sure box-office hit. Sans light, sans camera, Fr. Jude immediately took action. He was running against the antagonist: Time. Time was so limited, exacting and demanding. He took the initial steps following the usual path of diocesan protocol. To the Bishop of Legazpi, Msgr. Nestor Cariño, and his Auxiliary Msgr. Lucilo Quiambao, and Bishop Emeritus Msgr. Jose Sorra; to the proper church authorities for approval, and then to the various priests, parochial staffs and individual who could keep the organization going when he would return to Florida. Then to homes and people who could share shelter, love, and warmth with an orphan taken in as a family member. Miraculously each person he turned to could not but generously give a resounding "yes." Whose charisma must have moved them? Two weeks sped away at the snap of a finger. Mission accomplished! Fr. Jude came back to Port Richey. He had with him a thank-you letter from his Excellency Bishop Lucilo Quiambao addressed to Bishop Lynch. Back to his parochial work at St. James. The first day he reported for work he himself mailed the thank-you letter. What a moral booster! During his absence there were the usual changes in the diocesan assignments. Fr. Robert Kuzmann, who helped him make his dream come true was no longer around. Bishop Robert Lynch had assigned a new pastor, Fr. Mike Cormier. It is very providential that he is with St. James. He is very supportive of the organization. In fact Fr. Mike has given Fr. Jude the special privilege to deliver the homily during the vigil and all the masses on the 28th of October- the Feast of St. Jude. This gave him a chance to present wholly the organization to the parishioners. And specially, to make the parishioners closer to the OSJ and vice-versa. Thanks to Fr Mike! Think about it! Bishop Robert Lynch gave OSJ his blessings. Fr. Robert Kuzmann played an important part in envisioning OSJ. St. Jude is the patron of the Diocese of St. Petersburg. See the play of names? And talking about names, have you ever wondered and asked why the organization was named after St. Jude? Is it because of its founder Fr.Jude Vera? No! No! This is the flat reason: According to him, the closest and compatible and significant prayer for the orphans is the Prayer to St. Jude Thaddeus, the patron of hopeless cases, of those who are helpless and alone. Orphans are alone. Orphans are helpless. With St. Jude's intercession, our orphans will never be alone again. Thank you, St. Jude! Each of them belongs now to a family and has regained normalcy. They do the normal activities of a happy and healthy individual: school, family, church, community, hobbies, and sports. They receive regularly their monthly allocations. They are doing good! With dignity! And now you can hear their laughter! Two are in the seminary. They need our constant prayers for their perseverance. For all we know, some of the 28 might heed also the call and be chosen. Assisting Fr. Jude is an active Staff of five teams: Accounting, Goods, Media, Newsletter, and Website. They meet every First Sunday of the month after the 12:00 noon Mass. In one meeting, team member Jéssica Dunphy presented a very novel and noble idea, the St. Jude Mail Box and gladly approved by the Pastor, Fr. Mike. It clicked! Today as you enter the main portal of St. James Church you will see the Mail Box so strategically situated that it cannot escape your eyes! You can't help but look at it. It is there waiting for you. It is there begging for your ideas, your suggestions, your response, and your generosity. As your eyes gaze on the St. Jude Mail Box, look to St. Jude who is interceding for our 30 children! And look to God. He is begging for your help. He is thanking you for your kind heart. And look to the once 30 needy and impoverished orphans of St. Jude. During the emergency meeting held last Oct. 21st Fr Jude gave us the good news! He received a letter from His Excellency Bishop Lucilo Quiambao mentioning that the ex-governor of Albay, Don Francisco González, is donating a portion of his property to be converted into a possible site of the organization. The Staff has already scheduled garage sales to take place after the holidays. Donations will be most welcomed. Understandably the proceeds will go to OSJ.The OSJ website is here to serve you. To keep you abreast with the activities of the organization, to update you about the orphans' activities, situation, etc., and keep you tab of the Accounting. This website is yours. Use it for your feedback. Our gratitude to Mr. & Mrs. Ben Rivera and Family for maintaining the website.
Merry Christmas…This is all for now. Hasta el próximo…
--(Marilou M. Sarte)
Orphans of St. Jude
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