By Nirva Delacruz
MANILA – Every year, our dear homeless look forward to the Arnold Janssen Kalinga Center (AJKC) anniversary celebration. This year was no different, all because of a spirit of gratitude among our beneficiaries, volunteers, and staff.
On July 16, the actual anniversary of AJKC, the AJKC residents, the Arnold Janssen Kalinga Foundation Inc. (AJKFI) staff, and some invited guests celebrated the Holy Eucharist at the Catholic Trade Manila (CTM) Building chapel, presided over by SVD Philippine Central Province – Justice, Peace, and the Integrity of Creation assistant coordinator Fr. Efren de Guzman, SVD, with Fr. Freddie Sabado, SVD as homilist.
Time, jobs, health
In his homily, Fr. Sabado underscored three things the AJKFI family should be thankful for: time, our jobs, and health. “We celebrate our anniversary because we want to thank God for our life, and that life is God’s gift to you. Whatever will happen to you in the future, that is your gift to God,” the priest explained. He also stressed how privileged all the AJKFI staff and volunteers are. “We are also thankful for our jobs, and we won’t last long here [without the grace of God.] We also see the value of the opportunity given to us, not everyone can work here,” he added.
In closing, Fr. Sabado emphasized supernatural motives for working in AJKFI. “Christ is the center and the reason for our service. And we give our lives so that we will be pleasing to Him. If God is the one giving direction to our lives, let’s hold on to that. If you trust in God, He won’t let you down,” he said.
We are also thankful for our jobs, and we won’t last long here [without the grace of God.] We also see the value of the opportunity given to us, not everyone can work here.
Inspired by the verse John 15:16, “It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you”, the 9th year anniversary celebration took place on July 17, Wednesday, a “Kain-Ligo” day on which the Center served a total of 444 street dwellers, who came for free meals and showers.
Games, ice cream, and more
To add to the festive air of the Center, Liberty Cielo Llagas and Lalaine Piloneo of AMBAG Microfinance facilitated parlor games for our dear street dwellers who were waiting in line. Several street dwellers also got the chance to show off their singing prowess through “Kalinga Got Talent”. Without a doubt, the day was extra special because of the kaldereta-laing-fruit salad menu; an ice cream cart that served everyone a cold dessert; and loot bags with a burger, cookies, water, a drinking bottle, an alcohol spray bottle, and a bottle of ready-to-drink tea.
Those, who came in later, got an extra treat because towards 1:00PM, a boy celebrating his birthday donated 180 packs of spaghetti and chicken; 2 boxes of doughnuts; and several boxes of water, which were given away.
The Center’s donors went all out with their anniversary donations, so much so that there was enough to share with other institutions. The Missionaries of Charity in Tondo received 30 packs of spaghetti and chicken and 30 hamburgers. The CTM community – Provincialate; Catholic Trade; Logos; DWEA; as well as the drivers and maintenance personnel received burgers as well.
It was a day to look back in thanksgiving to God’s Providence to the Center, which continues to carry out its mission to the homeless of Manila.