In the Parish of St. Josemaria: An Urban Service Project Here in Cebu

Our group after the Medical-Dental Mission

Medical consultation with Dr. Annely, assisted by her student, DJ.

                                Banilad Study Center (BSC) organized another Urban Service Project this year from May 30 to June 1, for the people of DECA Homes in Brgy. Tungkil, Minglanilla, Cebu, the activities of which were all held in the Parish of St. Josemaria Escriva.

The project kicked off with a Livelihood Cooking Demonstration last Friday, May 30, attended by around 40 mothers, who learned some recipes from Tita Delsey Borja, who has always been giving cooking demonstrations in several oureach sites. She has also authored 2 Cookbooks to date.

On the second day of the Urbans, May 31, we had a whole day Medical-Dental Mission that had around 400 beneficiaries. We were so fortunate to have the support of SM Foundation's Mobile Clinic which took care of the X-Ray and ECG services that were rendered to the people of DECA Homes. There were 8 doctors who came to volunteer, 1 dentist, 10 medical students, and 4 nurses. During the medical mission, we showed some videos about the life of St. Josemaria Escriva, testimonials about the favors received through him, as well as the life of St. Escriva's first successor, Bishop Alvaro del Portillo.

With our volunteer-nurses (l-r) Faith, Heidi, Kayle and Rollie Ann.

We capped the service project with a Youth Leadership Seminar last Sunday, June 1. It was attended by around 25 teenagers, with 3 PAREF Southcrest teachers as facilitators headed by Tricia Q. from our study center, together with Mara and Lyn, young teachers of Southcrest.

The parishioners will be holding a novena in honor of St. Josemaria starting on June 13, Friday, with a special thanksgiving Mass on June 21, Saturday. The parish council has opted to advance the celebration of St. Josemaria's feastday, which really falls on June 26, Thursday, in order to make many people attend from their parish as their own Thanksgiving Mass is scheduled on a weekend.