Newsletter - 6th February 2022
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary time, Year C
When God calls – a story
I am delighted to visit the parish this Sunday. I would like to thank the parish and parishioners, for your faithful support and solidarity. Thank you for all your prayers, messages, gifts and donation.
I arrived in Metro Manila during the strict covid restrictions which, by the way, are still in place. Since 2013 the Community lives and runs a big student house in Manila, which lies in direct proximity to several universities. Before the pandemic, we were able to provide full board accommodation for around 250 students from across the Philippines and provide work for some 15 to 18 employees. Today, as students are studying online, our house is nearly empty. In the autumn of 2020 we asked God and ourselves what should we do while we cannot welcome students. In other words, we sought ways in which we could serve the local people and the local Church. The Lord has taken us on a new path – an outreach to the local community.
We run programmes for local young adults and we opened our doors to the community based street children living in our area. We welcome the children on Thursdays for a shower, hot meal, games and some activities aimed to teach them how to function in society. We also started an educational programme for those who need support to follow their education. My biggest joy is that these two programmes which reach out to over 60 children are run by us together with more than 20 young adults and youth volunteers who live in our area. It was very touching to see the impact of our work on the local community.
The local people are often moved by the fact that foreigners take care of their poor children; it has challenged indifference, prejudices and negative attitude towards the poor. Even more moving is the fact that many of those young volunteers come from poor backgrounds and some form broken families. We have created a youth ministry in order to accompany them and help them in their lives; many of them by now have experienced the grace of the baptism in the Holy Spirit and a deeper reconciliation with God which open them to a new perspective on their future. Besides pastoral work, we have got involved in the campus ministry of the Archdiocese and will be entrusted with the pastoral care of a university once the restrictions imposed on the education are over. This is my joy.
Now the biggest challenge is the maintenance and refurbishment of our 3 old buildings. In fact, they require a complete refurbishment and upgrade. Besides the financial aspect, the cultural gap, in particular the way of thinking and working as well as the way the country functions constitute a huge challenge to me and to our Community.
Let me finish by my favourite saying: when we follow Jesus Christ, the best in life lies always ahead of us! Therefore, without fear, each one of us, in his/her own life, at the point where we are at, we may hear the Lord calling us: “Whom shall I send? Who will be our messenger?’ or “put out into deep water and pay out your nets for a catch”. May each one of us give a prompt and generous answer: “Here I am Lord, send me; if you say so, I will pay out the nets.”
Fr Sebastian Ostrynski,ccn
Focus of the week
Youth Group
A great chance for teenagers to gather together to have fun, play games, pray & share. Snacks and drinks are provided. Next gatherings will be on 11th & 25th February in the Parish Large Hall, from 7.30pm to 9pm
Timothy Weekend
For children in school years 3-6 (7-11 years old), it is a weekend to discover the beauty of being together under the gaze of God. Saturday 5th March (3pm -7.30pm ) and Sunday 6th March (9.45am-12pm) in the Parish.
Suggested fee: £10 per child.
Please register at cockfosterscatechist@rcdow.org.uk by Monday 21st February.