Christmas Party 2013

It was another fun-filled day for the poor kids of Bulihan as Maia Outreach Program hosted a neighborhood Christmas party organized by Tito Rommel Santos. It was held 4:00pm on December 24, 2013 at the Bulihan Multi-Purpose Hall.

Opening remarks and prayers were lead by Papa Ben and Mama Tonette respectively. Magician Ren brought out the fun and laughter with his kiddie games, magic tricks and puppet show. In between shows, yummy snacks consisting of fried chicken, spaghetti, sandwiches and juices were given to the kids and their guardians.

Before the program ended, cash-raffle prizes were drawn and gifts/cash were also distributed.

In behalf of our MOP family, we would like to give our sincerest thanks to the on-and-off-camera sponsor and donors.

Maribon Catering – for the yummy snack treat and venue decoration.

Like them on : https://www.facebook.com/MaribonCateringMalolosBulacan

EU3 Mobile – for the lively light and sounds mobile

Like them on : https://www.facebook.com/jeunesseben.santos?fref=ts

V.R.O.O.M. team with Mr. Pie Guttierez – for the cash and gifts giveaways with

Brgy. China – for the gift-giveaways

Brgy. Bulihan – for the friendly discount of the multi-purpose hall

And for those who have contributed, in their own small and humble ways, in bringing the Christmas smiles into these wonderful kids, our heart-full thanks as well.

God bless po.

Grace To Be Born re-visited

October 30, 2013

By Zek Santos

Later, we went to Grace to Be Born center where we met and played with the babies. Their names are Bryan, Nicole and Mary Grace. I taught Mary Grace also how to walk. Then we  went home afterwards.

(Rowin: This year’s October 30 is the 5^th death anniversary of our beloved Maia. We visited the GTB center and let Aim and Zek played with the lovely and friendly children. There were presently 4 toddlers and 4 infants in the center. Each child has a silent story to tell of how the intervention of kind souls prevented the tragic loss of their lives.

Thanks to Tita Ester, GTB administrator for allowing us this meaningful visit) 

Prayer for Peace from KICC

Lord Jesus, we come to You in our need.

Create in us an awareness of the massive forces of conflict 

that threatens our world today.

And grant us a sense of urgency to activate 

the forces of goodness, of justice, of love and of peace.

Where there is armed conflict, let us stretch out our arms 

to our brothers and sisters.

Where there is abundance, let there be 

simple life style and sharing.

Where there is poverty, let there be 

dignified living and constant striving of just structures.

Where there is selfish ambitions, let there be humble service.

Where there is injustices, let there be atonement.

Where there is despair, let there be 

hope in the Good news.

Where there are wound of division, 

let there be unity and wholeness.

Help us to be committed to the building of Your kingdom, 

not seeking to be cared for but to care; 

not expecting to be served but to put ourselves in 

the service of the others; 

not aspiring to be materially secure 

but to place our security in Your love.

Teach us Your spirit, for it is only in 

loving imitation of You, Lord, 

that we can discover the healing 

springs of life that will bring about 

new birth to our earth and hope for the world.

Amen.

Our Lady, Queen of Peace,

Pray for us.

Amen.

Happy Birthday Mama Mary!

O my God,

We Believe,

We Adore,

We Hope,

And we Love You.

We ask pardon for those

Who do not believe,

Who do not Adore,

Who do not hope,

And who do not Love You.

Grace to Be Born

MOP supports Grace to Be Born.

http://readyaimzek.blogspot.com/2013/05/grace-to-be-born.html

http://www.lightfam.com/index.php/ministries/grace-to-be-born

I Shall not Pass This Way Again
Author Unknown

Through this toilsome world alas,
Once and only once I pass,
If a good deed I may do,
If a kindness I may show
To a suffering fellowman
Let me do it while I can
No delay for it is plain
I shall not pass this way again.

From Fasting to Feasting

“Make every effort to live in Peace with all men and to be Holy; without Holiness no one will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14

I have been trying to prepare for the Holy Week starting from Day 1 of the Ash Wednesday by going to confession and doing what Catholics are obliged to do like fasting, abstinence, praying the rosary (which I’ve been missing to do for some time already), going to Holy mass and participating in Holy Week activities.

Let me check my understanding of fasting and abstinence;

Fasting – means no food at all but water or juices for hydration.

Abstinence – means no meat and eating only one full meal a day with no in between snacks.

After attending all the holidays, birthdays and some special events from the month of December to March, I get to use to a lot of eating full meals with lots of snacks in between including mid night snacks. For my alibi, I keep saying to myself that I need a lot of this energy food for my homeschooling with my eldest son, to keep up with my very active 22 month old baby and help both of them to stay healthy too.

I do admit that this is a tough job for me these days due to my intensifying lower back pains. For after my first born child, my pains are hindering productive moments with them ( as pains get even worst after 3 times C-section delivery) and though I love being with my kids in spite of all the challenges, I can still get to be a grouch with all these lingering pain. After all, building a relationship with our families is not an easy task to anyone, it’s a lifetime commitment.

So how can I do my reflections, contemplation, offerings and quiet moments with God who is giving me all the strength I need to do my daily life without being interrupted?

“I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13

I’ve started cutting down my food intake about a week before hoping that I can do without it during the days required and sneak out to pray my rosary daily as much as  possible when kids are sleeping. Amazingly, I was able to do with one full meal for days (aiming for fasting now) and my two boys cooperated during our quiet times with God’s help for we cannot do it if only with our own will. God even gave me a bonus; I was able to write this story. I have started a lot of my writings but to no luck in finishing even one until now.

“The Lord is faithful to all His promises and loving toward all He has made.” Psalm 145:13

I have learned that Lenten season is the best time for receiving blessings from God by asking His forgiveness, by connecting with Him in doing a lot of readings or study about Him and most of all, building our personal relationship with Him by opening all our means of communication with Him.

I also learned that fasting during Holy week is not only self denial from food which is our most basic needs but also from all our negative emotions and habits that leads us to hurting our self, hurting each other and mostly hurting God.

Fasting from focusing on our weakness and problems will lead us to feasting of prayerful time that strengthens our relationship to God.

Fasting from fears and worrying will lead us to feasting with the divine will.

Fasting from discontentment will lead us to feasting with gratefulness.

Fasting from anger will lead us to feasting with patience.

Fasting from sadness will lead us feasting with true joy and humor.

Fasting from complaining will lead us to feasting with appreciation.

Fasting from hostility will lead us to feasting with non-resistance.

Fasting from forgiveness will lead us to feasting with forgiveness.

Fasting from sorrow will lead us to feasting with serenity.

Fasting from hatred will lead us to feasting with love.

Fasting from harsh criticism will lead us to feasting with genuine helpfulness.

Fasting from resentment will lead us to feasting with understanding and letting go.

Fasting from blaming will lead us to feasting with giving blessings and prayers to others.

Fasting from our own comfort will lead us to a feasting with service to God by sharing to others.

And I can still go on and on from all the fasting and feasting that we can do in our personal growth with all the gifts of the Holy Spirit and giving in to the greater glory of God.

I intend to focus and work harder on all of these, hopeful that I can do better each day for God deserves only the best from us.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

BBBS 2013

Dear All,

Our MOP has been supporting this yearly outreach by BBBS http://bbbs2005.multiply.com/ for two major reasons:
1. Children are the beneficiaries.
2. Educated kids are our future as a nation. 

But the main reason is still this - because it is in loving the less fortunate that they have hope and feel God's presence amidst their poverty.

Imagine - just 300 Php to support 1 kid to go to school.

To those who wishes to be part of this activity once again, you can join the donation-pool of our MOP or directly contact BBBS for your pledge of financial support.

God bless us all.

Maia Outreach Program

http://bbbsoutreach.wordpress.com/2013/02/13/small-steps-big-brother-big-sister-2013-casiguran-aurora-philippines/

Pasko sa Pebrero

Last February 18, we visited the children of Bethany orphanage again to give-out some gifts sponsored by our closely-knit community called Brgy.China. Every year, our China community is holding Christmas parties with kiddie games. For the recent party, however, a lot of sponsored prizes were not used at all and the organizers had the kind thought of donating the gifts to our MOP.

And so the kids have the reason to smile and feel Christmas (most gifts are in Christmas wrappers :D) in the love month of February.

Gracious thanks to our good friends in Brgy. China.