Ross Belle Balatbat
The Pastoral Care for Migrants, led by the SOLT Fathers, organized the second yearly thanksgiving involving all those who volunteer in the ministry, the parishioners and the different members of the the various Filipino religious and civic organizations in Macau. This year it was held on the 7th of February which was dubbed “Fun Day.” Fr Alejandre “Andy” Vergara, Apostolic House Servant of the SOLT missionaries in Macau, said that it is a “Fun Day” but he pointed out that it meant sharing the grace of joy that God has bestowed on each individual, so that each participant will truly feel the presence of the Lord through the attendees who are one in gratitude for the past activities organized by the Pastoral Center.
The “Fun day “ started with a Eucharistic celebration at eight in the morning at the Pastoral Center, with Fr Andy as the main celebrant with Fr Ryan June Real as concelebrant. Then, all trooped to Hac Sa beach as this year’s event organizing committee tandem, the Peñafrancia Devotees Association in Macau (PDAM) and the Bicolanos Oragon Organization in Macau (BOOM), prepared a fun-filled whole day program.
The El Shaddai started the celebration with joyful worship songs. Fr Andy welcomed the participants after the opening prayer. He emphasized that the gathering was proof that Filipino migrants in Macau have a spiritual family whom they can turn to away from home, a community that welcomes and accepts us especially in times of trials and challenges. The participants came from different communities but are all united in Christ who is present among us and gives the joy that unites. Thus, the celebration saw different organizations coming together as one.
Fr Andy added that the gathering was a way of thanking the Lord for the blessings received in the past year and also thanking one another for participating in the activities of the Pastoral Center.
The fellowship lunch featured different Filipino dishes, while a live band sang.
Early in the afternoon, before the games started Fr Andrew De Vera reminded everyone that the activity was not all about winning and voiced the hope that it will be a chance to feel the presence of Christ through their participation. More than three hundred participants joined the games.
Various groups who participated included the Evangelization Commission, Liturgical Commission and the Family, Life and Youth Commission, The Sto Nino Association of Macau, the Legion of Mary, the LSE Alumni “Iskul Bukol,” El Shaddai, The Loved Flock , CFC Global and CFC FFL, the Himig Choir, Migrante, the marshalls – AKHRO and GUARDIAN Macau PDGII, ELIM, Y.E.S. and other Filipino Associations.
Mr Jun Salao, head of the Peñafrancia Devotees Association in Macau and Mark Cabug, president of the Bicolanos Oragon Organization in Macau were both pleased at the outcome, noting the overwhelming support and attendance of the different migrants from the various groups and the joyful atmosphere that they created.
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