Sitio Espeleta: SJRM Adopted Community
February 10, 2010
Saint James Renewal Movement has adopted Sitio Espeleta Pantalan, in Poblacion Muntinlupa City as the beneficiary of its outreach activities. It is a poor community adjacent to Laguna de Bay and under normal condition, it is inundated with water four to five months in a year. Generally, homes are made of light materials and most do not have toilets. Many residents are unemployed while others work as construction workers, domestic helps and garbage sorters.
The residents do not go to church on Sundays as it will entail transportation cost which will be an additional burden to their budget. We learned that other religious groups are trying to establish their presence in the area. The Parish Priest Fr. Rusti Cruz, who is also our Vicariate’s Head of Human Promotions realized the need for the support of other groups to take care of his parishioners numbering to 130,000. SJRM’s Mission Ministry presented its Community Development Program and it was warmly welcomed by the Parish Priest and the Pastoral Council.
What is Community Development Program? It is the adoption of a depressed community within the Diocese of Paranaque and Muntinlupa as the focus of SJRM’s different outreach progrrams. Our main objective is to bring the love of Christ to our brothers who are in need, by uplifting their spiritual, physical and economic conditions and restoring their human dignity through Spirit-led programs and activities. Some of these activities are: 1. Catechism 2. Feeding 3. Academic Tutoring 4. Talks on Life Issues 5. Growth Formation Seminars 6. Skills Development 7. Livelihood Programs.
Our long-term vision is to transform the community based on gospel values and help them improve their economic situations. Once transformed, SJRM will turn it over to the community leaders that have evolved out of the renewal activities that have been conducted. SJRM then will move to other depressed community within the vicariate in need of its programs.
The immediate concern before the launching of the Community Development Program was the need for a venue that would be safe and could accommodate the different planned activities. This problem was solved through the generosity of a family which donated a lot and a corporation which shouldered the construction of a Multi-Purpose Hall.
The Program will be launched at the turn over rites on March 25, 10 am, at Espeleta Multi Purpose Hall. SJRM members and Church parishioners are welcome to join us in this undertaking. You may contact Rene Quiroz 0917-8307592, Nito Cruz 0918-9251130, Ambho & Virghie Lee 0915-5494206.
