THE 78 PARISHES in the Archdiocese of Caceres have joined hands in campaigning for donation to assist the families affected by typhoon Ondoy in Metro Manila and its neighboring provinces.

        Ondoy hit the country during the weekend, carrying with it incessant heavy rains for eight hours giving rise to floodwaters that rose to the rooftops of houses, particularly in Marikina, Cainta, Pasig and other towns in the province of Rizal.

        Charged to collect the donations is the Caceres Social Action Center located along Liboton street in Naga City. The center can be reached by landline 4739550.

        The donations will then be coursed through Caritas Manila which in turn will be responsible for distributing the goods among the victims of typhoon Ondoy.

        Fr. Allan Roy E. Remo, chancellor of the Archdiocese, said that a special collection in all the parishes in the Archdiocese will be made on Sunday, October 4.

        Said Fr. Remo: “Even the priests will give their personal contribution to ther victims of the typhoon. Many of the people who have lost everything are sleeping in schools right now. At least 23 provinces have been declared under a state of calamity by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. We are lucky here in Bicol. We have been spared of the destruction and death brought by typhoon Ondoy. Ina must have been protecting us.”

        Early this week, some good Samaritans had sent used clothings to the Archbishop’s residence and these were coursed through ABS-CBN which is also gathering donations to be sent to its main office in Quezon City.

        Devotees of Ina abroad who have seen footages of the victims of typhoon Ondoy broadcast by television have pledged their support for the victims through the Facebook of Ina Peñafrancia. Some are asking for prayers and assistance that Our Lady of Peñafrancia will protect her devotees and others who are not devotees but have faith in God from the other typhoons threatening to enter the area of responsibility of the country.

        Recent forecast by PAGASA makes mention of three typhoons, coming one after the other, entering the area of reponsibility of the Philippines at the end of the week.

        Those who are interested to give foodstuffs, toiletries, or donate cash may contact their parish priest or directly give their donation to the Caceres Social Action Center office.

EVEN as the Archdiocese of Caceres played host to the Peñafrancia devotees and pilgrims in Bicol two weeks ago, across the globe in Austria the devotees of Ina celebrated the feast with three activities: spiritual, social and financial, with the intent to donate a drinking water project for the devotees in Bicol.

        As done in Archdiocese of Caceres, the fiesta in Austria was preceded by a nine-day novena, consisting of prayers and recitation of the Rosary at the St. Francis of Assisi church.

        On the feast day itself, a procession participated in by 200 people was held at 10:00 o’clock in the morning around the Mexicoplatz. At the park messages were delivered by lay devotees Alexander Karakas, Isabel Aleta and Margie Cecilio-Nessl. Rev. Fr. Mario Maggi, the parish priest, and Fr. Ron Sandoval, spiritual adviser of the Our Lady of Peñafrancia Devotees of Austria (OLPDA), led the procession. They also co-celebrated the Mass at 11:00 wearing vestments that were donated by Mrs. Evelyn Fuentebella.

        During the Mass two collections were made: the first for the church; the second, for the OLPDA drinking water project.

        The Devotion to Ina is the only recognized by the Archdiocese of Vienna, with its permanent home in the St. Francis of Assisi Church.

        The OLPDA was founded by Inday Eva Valenzuela Pozsogar, who worked for its recognition in the Archdiocese before she passed away.

        A buffet lunch, served at the Parish Hall and gardens for more than 700 guests and devotees, followed the Mass.

        In the first Mass, the collection of Euro600 was divided between St. Francis Church and the principal priest celebrant. In the second Mass, collection was Euro430. This amount and a cash donation of Euro2,668.00 from generous donors will be made available for the OLPDA Drinking Water Project.

        Among those who gave their messages and greetings were Minister Charlie Manangan of the Philippine Embassy and the OLPDA chairperson Nida Weber. A certificate of award was handed to Fr. Mario Maggi and a posthumous award to Inday Eva Pozsogar, accepted by Wolfgang Pozsogar.

        The assembly was then given a brief presentation of the drinking water project for the devotees of Ina in Bicol. The project will be completed before the Tercentenary celebration next year and will be placed at the compound of the Basilica Minore in Naga City. The names of donors of the water facility will be marked in the unit.

        The core committee of OLPDA undertook the expenses for the buffet as their pledge (panata) to Ina.

        The OLPDA officers were one in declaring that the permanent presence of Ina at the St. Francis of Assisi Church has made the devotion to Ina an all-year round affair that should become an integral part of their life, instead of practicing it only during fiestas.