Week
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February 21, 2001
Inside the Register
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Collection of pennies benefits people in Philippines
Youth at St. Thomas More reach out to people on remote island
By Peter Droege
Young
people from St. Thomas More School, the religious education program and
the parish youth group presented $6,000 to representatives of the Prelature
of Infanta on the Island of Luzon, the Philippines, during a festive gathering
at the Evangelization Center, Feb. 13.
Finding the Prelature of Infanta on a map would be difficult: it is located in one of the most remote areas on earth.
"There is no way to express what this gift will mean to our people," Deacon Mario Van Loon told the Register. "It is not just the benefits we will receive from the donation, but the fact that our people will know that this gift came from children in the United States.
"Those who live in poverty receive tremendous hope from knowing that there are others who care for them" he continued.
Deacon Van Loon and Sister Jonni Biragay visited the St. Thomas More Evangelization Center at the invitation of Father Andrew Kemberling, pastor, and Mila Glodava, director of stewardship, who organized the "pennies from heaven" campaign.
"Seeing the enthusiasm of the young people in taking on the task of raising money to assist the poor in another part of the world was truly inspiring," said Glodava, who is originally from Luzon. "At a time in which people often look upon young people as being indifferent to the needs of others, it really is a powerful sign of hope for the future," she added.
The Prelature of Infanta is composed of a long stretch of land at the east side of the island of Luzon, along the coast of the Pacific Ocean. Due to the high waves of the open Pacific, travel by boat between the north and the south is only possible three to four months a year.
The majority of residents of the area lives in dire poverty and rarely eats three full meals a day. The main industries are farming and fishing, but new means of producing income are being explored.
The Prelature of Infanta came into existence when it was separated from the Archdiocese of Lipa in 1950. Carmelite missionaries who had served in the area during World War II founded it.
On behalf of St. Thomas More Parish, Father Kemberling presented an additional $5,000 to be used to help finalize construction of St. John the Baptist Church in the Prelature of Infanta.
"Several months of the year, typhoons sweep down on the island and cause great destruction," explained Sister Biragay. "Because the area is so isolated and the people are so poor, the church is the only building made of concrete.
"During the storms, people come to the church because it is strong enough to withstand the wind," she continued. "It is not only a spiritual haven, but a physical one for our people," she added.
Under the direction of Glodava, the young people at St. Thomas More will continue to raise funds for the Prelature of Infanta. Projects include building a new radio station and helping start small businesses.
For information, call Mila Glodava at St. Thomas More at 303-770-1155.