Category: JPIC

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Prison Ministry

“Makati City Jail – Master Chef Season 3” by Alli Raval

Last February 22, 2014, Prison Ministry held an event MASTER CHEF SEASON 3 in Makati City Jail. This event is the most anticipated activity by the residents and the Single Young Adults (SYA) as well. We have been doing this for three years now and the residents want another one next year. This activity give the residents a sense of freedom . . . choosing their own ingredients, cooking their specialty dishes and sharing it with their cell mates. They are very competitive with the choice of dish and even the presentation. The top 3 winners were given cash prizes and all of the participants – 5 residents per cell representing the 12 cells were given food and toiletry items as well. It was one fun and exciting Saturday for all of us. Tiring yet fulfilling.

The Prison Ministry has many activities lined up for MCJ residents such as Lenten Recollection, Santa Cruzan, Barrio Fiesta, Film Showing, Sportsfest, Medical and Dental Mission and Christmas gift giving. We also have Catechism classes for them every Monday. It has been a challenge for us earlier on looking for Catechists and “Biyaya” to give them after every lesson and after every activity, but God provides. In behalf of the Prison Ministry, we would like to thank you, our dear Parishioners for your donations that support this program. We look forward to be with you in our activities.

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JPIC

Kristiyanong Mamamayan

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The SSAP JPIC Scholarship Program is most appreciative and thankful to Jolly Gomez, Alli Raval, SYA member and Chair, JPIC Prison Ministry, and the Single Young Adults, for partnering with us and helping to deepen the faith of our JPIC scholars, thus enabling them to become better Kristiyanong Mamamayan.

Their youthful presence and energetic participation during the 3rd Saturday Monthly Catechism sessions, the Annual Recollection in November, and the JPIC Scholars’ Christmas Party truly enhance this wonderful blessing of a Ministry!

God bless you all for your efforts and for sharing your talents!

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JPIC

A ONCE A YEAR AFFAIR

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On the 1st Saturday of December, December 6, 2014, the SSAP-JPIC Scholarship Program will have its Annual Christmas Party / Graduation and Homecoming – Reunion exclusively for JPIC Scholars, past and present, in the Parish Center.

This is an event which scholars look forward to with much excitement! They don their best garments and shoes, socialize with the other scholars in an informal setting, allow their creativity and talents in song and dance numbers to shine through in the spirit of friendly competition, throw inhibitions to the winds by joining fun games to win prizes galore.

Through this once a year affair, the SSAP-JPIC Program Committee members would want them to have an unforgettable experience of their youth. Yes, they can be carefree and frivolous too.

We need your help! We will have a simple Christmas fare, but the trimmings that go with the party shall come from you. We appeal to our parishioners and churchgoers to please send us your gifts c/o Mrs. Jackie Macasias, JPIC Socio Pastoral Worker in the Parish Office.

If you have a yearly Christmas sharing list for the less fortunate, why not include our JPIC scholars in your list and do your own personal shopping?

Here are some gift suggestions:
1. Your “White Elephant” such as unused clothes, shoes, t-shirts, belts, towels, toiletries, accessories, bags, etc.
2. For our refrigeration/aircon/appliance repair vocational students, how about your extra carpentry/electrical repair tool kits?
3. For our Culinary Arts students, check your kitchen cabinet storage for unused pots and pans, baking paraphernalia, cooking/baking utensils.
4. Corporate give-aways such as umbrellas, school supplies, alarm clocks, etc.
5. Books

We do not ask much but much is expected from those who have more in life. Years from now, our scholars will be in different places of employment, even overseas. Wherever they will be, they will remember the warmth they felt at the Christmas Party tendered in their honor, where they felt your love and care. We can only wish them a great future, and through your prayers, rewarding employment opportunities made possible by the scholarship you have so kindly extended.
Please send your gifts soonest!

SSAP JPIC Scho. Prog. Comm. / Jean Chavez

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Family and Life Ministry Hospital Ministry Prison Ministry

SSAP Ministries Celebrate FLORES DE MAYO 2014

Family Life Flores de Mayo
May 31, 2014

“SANTA CRUZAN IN MAKATI CITY JAIL”
by Alli Raval
May 30, 2014

“FLORES DE MAYO IN PGH”
by Shen Sol
May 26, 2014

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Articles Prison Ministry

“SANTA CRUZAN IN MAKATI CITY JAIL” by Alli Raval

Last May 30, 2014, we had the Santa Cruzan in Makati City Jail. 40 Residents joined the procession dressed in beautiful gowns and barongs donated by our parishioners. They all looked so different . . . not wearing their usual yellow shirts with BJMP stamped on them. They have smiles on their faces, looking proud of what they were wearing and the roles they were portraying for the procession.

Nowadays, others think of the Santa Cruzan as a fashion event. . . but this year, in MCJ, the participants gave a description of the Saints they were portraying. It gave a deeper meaning of what the Santa Cruzan is all about. Atty. Jolly Gomez gave the residents the history of Santa Cruzan in one of the Monday Catechism classes.

We started the event with a mass, celebrated by their Chaplain Fr. Bouban. In the sermon, he talked about embracing and carrying our own cross, as Jesus Christ did. Words cannot express the crosses being carried by the residents of MCJ. Some have been there for more than 10 years and their cases have not been heard. Others are proven innocent after 2 years of being in jail. They are away from their families, they are forgotten and abandoned. They are confined within the 4 walls of Makati City Jail, uncertain of what tomorrow brings.

We, we who are outside those walls, have our own crosses too. . . yet we are reminded and called by Jesus Christ to follow His example and help carry the crosses of others who have lost their freedom , who have lost hope, who are alone. . . those hardest to love . . . those who are imprisoned.

“For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’

-Matthew 25:42-43

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Articles JPIC Prison Ministry

“Being Called to God’s Mission” by Maevie Ortiz

Every Friday night young adults like me would just like to relax, grab a drink and rant about epic failures of the week. Normally, after these Friday night-outs with friends, I would extend my sleep the next day. But when asked by one of my friends, what my agenda will be this Saturday…I proudly said I will be visiting friends from MCJ (my 2nd time). Lo and behold judgments came after my statement. One of my friends said, “I’d rather go on an outreach with orphans or old folks than sinners”.

Instead of defending the residents I’ve encountered in MCJ, I just asked if they would want to try it themselves so that their perspective towards these “least brethren” would be different than the usual stereotyping. I’m not sure how I handled that awkward situation but I knew in my heart that tomorrow’s experience would be something worthwhile. Initially, I was a bit swayed by the idea of extending my sleep. I was still deliberating before going to bed until finally I woke up early the next day with a 6am text message. Thanks to one of my SYA friends who texted me to be reminded of the extra red shirt she requested and informed me that she is already on her way to our agreed meeting place. Besides this anonymous guardian angel from SYA, the recent learning I gained from Thursday’s prayer meeting certainly gave me that push and natural high to obey God’s call to do His mission.

And so we arrived in MCJ that Saturday morning. What kept me curious is the thought that this has been an on-going contest 3 times in row. Being an avid Master Chef fan, I wondered how it would look like if I am physically present, witnessing the thrill of cooking and (best part) tasting.

For this year, 12 cell groups participated. Specific ingredients were distributed per table and a communal area was provided for other condiments/supplies that all groups might need as they prepare their sumptuous meals. It was an exciting sight seeing them strategically dividing their group members in the preparation of their three entries: appetizer, main dish and dessert. I assumed the role of an “all-around” runner and I LOVED every single part of the experience. No one dictated or even limited me to do certain tasks and I just followed what I thought seemed appropriate given a certain situation. I willingly assisted in the fair distribution of ingredients while joyfully giving words of encouragement to the residents. At the same time, I was injecting humor through dancing to the groove while the cooks and prepare their appetizing meals.

These maybe simple gestures that were left unnoticed, I am not even sure if they remembered who I was. But regardless, what mattered most was that I left the place with a full heart. I knew right at the moment I stepped out of MCJ that “going beyond the usual Saturday” and going beyond my comfort zone was definitely well worth it. My trust and commitment towards service worked and I thank God for the experience of His mission through my experience of what it is like to willingly share time, talent and treasure without even waiting to be acknowledged or thanked. I am truly grateful to God for this beautiful experience of community. Cheers to more service! 

Categories
Articles JPIC Prison Ministry

“Christmas at the Makati City Jail” by Jolly Gomez

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The Single Young Adults and the JPIC Prison Ministry held their annual Christmas gift giving activity with 600 male and female inmates at the Makati City Jail. The activity started with a mass officiated by Fr. Joel Sulse OFM and attended by SYA members together with PPC President Jayme Blanco.

During the homily of the mass, members of the SYA community were able to share their stories of conversion on what Jesus had done in their lives and why they are active in church. One of the inmates gave a response which was as follows: “My crime was carnapping, I would use duplicate keys to open cars in a parking lot and drivethem away. I was a poor man that had very few opportunities, when I would walk in the mall, I see rich people who look at poor people like us like we were invisible. This is why I did not feel bad about stealing their cars. In MCJ I have realized that Jesus still loves me. I met members from SYA who are from Forbes Park who take time out to talk to me and share about Jesus. Maybe this is why I was caught and put in jail, I am sad that I am not with my family but happy that I have found Jesus.”

The message of Fr. Joel was about the celebration of the incarnation of Jesus and how this doesn’t just happen during Christmas but every day of the year. This is why the parish continues its ministry all throughout the year with masses, bible class, special events, and legal assistance. This ministry does these activities all year round and not only during Christmas time.

Each inmate received a plastic box with a T-shirt, slippers, towel, toiletries, a few snacks and a rosary. We were also able to provide each cell with pancit and one lechon. Much of these funds were raised by SYAers who set aside some money every month for the Prison Ministry. Other funds came from the Parish through the different fund raising activities throughout the year. The gifts may have been very small to us but meant so much to many inmates who have very little and for some who did not have any visitors this Christmas.

Like in the gospel story of the Multiplication of the Loaves, after giving every one their share (including the prison guards) we had 40 packs left over. We decided to share it with the security guards and maintenance personnel in our parish. God is truly generous and his graces are bountiful.

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