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Finding Joy in Celebrating Christmas with my Parish Community by Johan Ferrer


I always look forward to our Parish events, such as the Buling-Buling, Easter and the Parish Fiesta, and most especially the Christmas Activities. Aside from the Misa de Gallo and the parties, there are also recollections, outreach programs, and the many ways of giving by the different ministries.

I attended the PGH Ministry’s gift-giving on November 25 with members of SYA, Luke 18, and some Volunteers. I felt sad for the young patients and their families there at the ward, but I believe that the prayers for them, the games played by them, the giveaways, and the performances made them look past their problems even for those few hours that we were there with them.

There was a young girl that I saw in an isolation room seated at the top of her bed, her mom close by watching over her, and this girl looked quite bothered. I then noticed that behind her, also sitting up, was a ‘Jollibee’ stuffed toy. I pointed to it and mouthed its name to her while smiling and waving. This made her wave back and smile.

I remembered that I was also performing a Corporal Work of Mercy, Visiting the Sick, and a Spiritual Work of Mercy, which is Comforting the Afflicted. Furthermore, I realized that the problems I delve on are nothing compared to those that these young patients and their families have; that I should live my life with more gratitude and giving. It also makes me appreciate more the tireless jobs of the doctors, nurses, and staff in PGH and similar instutions.

I find joy in celebrating Christmas with my faith family and our parish community, but I find the most joy in giving to those in need.

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GOING BEYOND OUR OWN CROSSES By: Ella Tan

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The most beautiful site I have ever encountered visiting the PGH Children’s Charity Ward was when I witnessed 2 men giving a sponge bath to a feverish child suffering from a severe infection. What was so special about this was that one of the men happened to be the father of the child while the other man was a father of another patient under the care of our PGH Hospital Ministry. These two men taught me two beautiful life lessons. From the father of the suffering child, while he is beset with worry and anxiety over the condition of his son, he went beyond himself with a love so pure and selfless as he humbled himself to untiringly give his child a sponge bath. As for the other father, while he too was carrying his own cross as his own child was fighting for dear life on the other bed, without any hesitation ran to the aid of the other and assisted in trying to lower down the temperature of the feverish child. When asked why he did that, his response was “I learned to go beyond myself from the love and support my family has received”.

This is a clear proof that with everyone’s unwavering support to our Parish’s PGH Hospital Ministry, we must not limit ourselves in unraveling their hearts but also our own for the good of all. Come join us during our regular Tuesday hospital visits and be a direct witness of this heartwarming experience.

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Hospital Ministry

SYA Celebrates Halloween in the PGH Pediatrics Wards By Ruby Palma

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The PGH Halloween party last November 15 was the first outreach program that I joined with SYA (Single Young Adults). When I learned about it, I readily volunteered since I knew I’ll be free that weekend. It had been a while since I joined any outreach event. I have been involved in different outreach/volunteer programs in school before and currently at work. I thought this would be the same as what I’m used to do. I guess I was wrong.

I was never comfortable being in a hospital. I had this uneasy feeling entering the Pediatric Wards. It was my first time to enter a charity pediatric in a hospital and I wasn’t prepared to see babies/kids who were sick. I felt they are too young to be sick and suffering. I didn’t know how to react or behave in front of everyone. I was a bit aloof at the start, just observing what my co-SYA-ers were doing and just following whatever instructions were given. I was hesitant to interact with them.

I finally warmed up when the Jollibee mascot went out and performed for the kids. I knew how excited and happy the kids would be seeing Jollibee. I took out my Polaroid camera and took photos of the kids with the Jollibee mascot. Everyone was excited to have their pictures taken. I’m just glad I was able to give them a souvenir of the party.

Taking part in this activity reminded me to always be thankful for what I have now. I feel blessed that I am given an opportunity to be part of this group and share my time and my blessings. It’s truly a heartwarming experience. As one mother told me, “Nakakatuwa naman, kahit papano, nakakalimutan mo yung lungkot”

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Hospital Ministry

PGH TOY GIVING by Sabrina Soriano

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The Hospital Ministry visits the various hospitals it supports on a weekly basis to give medicines to the patients. This past week though, we were blessed by a kind family that donated toys that were gifts for their child’s birthday. They also added toys that their daughter didn’t use anymore so that other kids could use and enjoy them. Though the medicines are much needed to ensure their recovery from their illnesses/infections, you could really see the kids’ faces light up when they received a toy. One of those kids (the cute little boy sitting on the wooden cart) was actually abandoned by his parents after bringing him to the hospital for treatment. Despite his situation, receiving a toy made him break out into a huge smile!

So nice to be able to help them, not just with their medical needs, but also to bring smiles to their faces. Thanks so much Pia Lacerna and family for this!

If you have old toys, books, school bags and supplies that you can spare, to give and to share, I hope you can consider donating them to our Hospital Ministry (you can look for Nimfa Dumago at the parish office). Such a small gesture means a lot to these charity patients. Their big smiles are proof this.

Please also support our upcoming Francisfest fundraising this first week of October. We have a slew of activities lined up for all of you.

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Articles Hospital Ministry

The PGH Christmas Gift Giving

It’s November once again and Christmas is fast approaching. Gift shopping, preparations for Christmas dinners, parties, Noche Buena, and more, keep us busy and preoccupied during this busy season.

Wouldn’t it be good to pause for a while and give thought to our less fortunate brothers and sisters and see how we can share our blessings to them, as well? We know that there are many of you who would like to help out but may just not know how to volunteer or where to donate for a worthy cause.

The Hospital Ministry is one such channel. Aside from the weekly visits to the PGH Pediatrics Wards and sponsorship of medication to patients, we end the year with a bang with a Christmas activity – a mass led by Fr. Joel at the PGH Chapel followed by a gift giving to the patients for the aforementioned wards and students of Silahis ng Kalusugan (a DepEd school in the premises for students who are chronically ill and need continuous treatment). These gifts are goodie bags filled with toiletries, food items, slippers, multivitamins, toys, etc. that we know the patients and parents/caregivers need and surely appreciate. Lunch packs are also distributed to ensure that they have a good meal for the day.

This will be held this year on December 10 (Tuesday), 9am – 12pm. If you would like to inquire, volunteer, or donate, please feel free to drop by the parish office and look for Nimfa Dumago. You can also reach her at 8438830.

We look forward to more parishioners joining and helping out this year!

By Sabrina Soriano

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Articles Hospital Ministry

PGH Artist Awarding of Prizes

The winners of our September PGH Artist contest, where they depicted “Mama Mary in My Life” as a way to honor Mama Mary during her birth month, were Judellen Naparate and Rhia Marie Ruiz, elementary students of Silahis ng Kalusugan, and Jenny Contreras and Sherllan Mamiit, patients from the pedia wards. Unfortunately, Judellen was absent from school since she hasn’t been feeling well. Sherllan was also unavailable as they live in San Pablo, Laguna and it would have been a long commute for them just to get their prize. A parent representative received the prize for Judellen while we sent the prize to Jenny and her family.

Rhia and Jenny were very excited to receive their prizes as it included: 2 tickets to Kinder Zoo in Manila Zoo (which would allow them to go up close and pet the animals and join the activities) and 2 burger meals with fries and unlimited drinks to Wham Burger in Robinsons Place.

Though a simple prize, they are looking forward to enjoying it together and doing it as a family activity. It’s always very heartwarming to see how much joy you can give to them just by simple gestures like these and which they are very thankful and appreciative of.

Thank you to all the patients and students who took part in this activity/contest. We loved all your works and it was very hard to have to choose winners among you.

Thanks, as well, to all of you who helped in choosing our winners by voting/liking the pictures of the artworks.

Looking forward to seeing pictures of their Kinder Zoo trip! 🙂

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