THE UST Santisimo Rosario Parish and Santo Domingo Church in Quezon City offered assistance to poor families within their communities amid the lockdown caused by the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.
UST Parish Priest Fr. Paul Talavera, O.P. told the Varsitarian the parish helped 600 families, or 2,590 people, as of March 29.
The families were given gift certificates that could be used to buy food and supplies during the lockdown.
The project was in cooperation with the Archdiocese of Manila and Caritas Manila.
“This time of the pandemic has taught us a lot of things, to take things slow, to enjoy everything we have at the present moment and be thankful for all the blessings God has given us, which we rarely acknowledge when we are in normal busy routine,” Talavera said.
Santo Domingo Church, which houses the miraculous image of Our Lady of La Naval, coordinated with the local government to distribute goods to residents, Parish Priest Fr. Mandy Malijan, O.P. said.
Malijan urged the faithful to make space for the Lord in their hearts, at a time when social distancing is required to prevent transmission of the virus.
“Faith is tested during this time. We are holding on to what might happen or the worst may come, but we need to strengthen our faith… [M]ake a space for the Lord in our hearts,” said Malijan.
Santo Domingo Church suspended the celebration of public masses but the side altar where the image of La Naval is enshrined was made accessible to the faithful.
