■ CEBU ARCHDIOCESE CALLS FOR DONATIONS FOR FAMILIES AFFECTED BY URDUJA, VINTA

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, in his Christmas Eve mass at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, said he will issue a circular ordering all parishes in the archdiocese to conduct the donation drive; proceeds will be used to help survivors of tropical storms Urdu

The Archdiocese of Cebu launched a relief campaign for survivors of tropical storms Urduja and Vinta early this month. Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, in his homily at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral asked parishioners to donate for the storms’ survivors. “My idea is for those nga tanan makadungog. But I will be sending letters to all the parishes. Salamat sa Diyos nga wala kita maigo, but we must be mindful of those who were hit hard. For the sake of Christian love, we must help them,” said Palma.

The Archdiocese of Cebu announced it will launch a donation drive to help those affected by tropical storms Urduja and Vinta early this month.

In his homily during the Christmas Eve celebration at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma asked parishioners to do- nate any amount during their second collection to initiate the donation drive for the storms’ survivors.

In an interview after the mass, Archbishop Palma said he will issue a circular ordering all parishes in the archdiocese to conduct the donation drive.

“My idea is for those nga tan- an makadungog (for all to hear). I will be sending letters to all the parishes. We thank God that we did not suffer, but we must be mindful of those who were hit hard. For the sake of Christian love, we must help them,” said the prelate.

Palma said that donations collected from the parishes will be coursed through Caritas Cebu, the archdiocese’s social arm.

Assessment

But the archbishop said he also plans to deploy the Archdiocese’s Recovery and Rehabilitation Unit (RRU) led by Fr. Charles Jayme to assess areas that were affected by the two storms.

In his homily, Archbishop Palma reminded the faithful of God’s love and mercy through the birth of Jesus Christ.

He said that Jesus came to the world as a child to remind the faithful that God is capable of becoming human.

Palma also reminded the faithful that one does not need to fear everything as long as one believes in God.

“Usahay sa atong kinabuhi daghan kitang kahadlok. Mga hinigugma, ayaw kahadlok kay mao kini ang Diyos. Mahigugmaon ug cute nga si Senyor Sto. Niño (Sometimes, we fear many things. My beloved brothers and sisters, do not be afraid. Señor Sto. Niño is loving, besides being cute) ,” he said.

The prelate also pointed out to the faithful the need to love the poor and destitute. Earlier this year, the Archdiocese of Cebu also provided financial assistance to the territorial prelature of Marawi to help with the rehabilitation efforts there. /