Mary Mother of the Poor Foundation

Transcription

1 Mary Mother of the Poor Foundation Fr. Fernando M. Suarez, MMMP Mary Mother of the Poor Foundation, Founder marymotherofthepoor.org

2 Mary Mother of the Poor Foundation 1 History In 1996, while praying, Fr. Fernando Suarez was blessed with a vision. In the vision, Jesus was pouring out many graces and blessings upon him and as he received His graces and blessings, he saw multitudes of poor children begging for help. He did not understand the vision then, but its image remained in his heart. It was not until the summer of 1997, that the meaning of the vision became clear to him. During a two-week visit to the Philippines, at least ten poor children approached Fr. Fernando out of nowhere, asking for his support especially in their studies. Trusting in the Lord, he began sending money coming from his savings from giving recollections and retreats during his Christmas and summer holidays. As time went by, the Good Lord continued to bless this ministry and it has now become a foundation, "Mary Mother of the Poor" (MMP). With the help of the brothers of the community, and friends who support and share this vision, the foundation was able to grow, flourish and became established.

3 Mission and Objectives We are a non-profit, tax exempt charitable organization of Catholic religious and lay persons in the US, Canada and the Philippines, founded by Father Fernando M. Suarez, dedicated to the following: Mission To seek holiness in evangelizing and working with the poor through the intercessions of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Objectives 1) To relieve poverty by providing food and other basic supplies to persons of low income, by establishing, operating and maintaining shelters for the homeless, and by providing counseling and other similar programs to relieve poverty. 2) To coordinate health care and social services for people with debilitating diseases, illnesses and conditions including aging. 3) To advance & teach religious tenets, doctrines, observances and culture associated with the Roman Catholic faith. 4) To provide supervised programs intended to help youth develop their talents and become good citizens. Mary Mother of the Poor Foundation Page 2

4 Mary Mother of the Poor Foundation 3 Contents History. 1 Mission and Objectives..2 Contents....3 MMP Ongoing Projects....4 Feeding Program Relief Efforts.9-13 Housing Program..14 Medical and Dental Missions..15 Livelihood Program Scholarship Program Youth Program Solar Light Distribution..23 Mass Wedding Building of 3 Churches History of MMMP Healing Ministry..31 The Presence of MMMP in Ilin Future Goals of MMP..34 About the Founder.35 Ephesians.36 Contributors....37

5 Mary Mother of the Poor Foundation Ongoing Projects: "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat..." "I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink..." Feeding Program Relief Efforts Housing Program Medical and Dental Missions Livelihood Program Scholarship Program Youth Program Solar Light Distribution Mass Wedding "I was naked and you clothed me..." "I was sick and you looked after me." Matthew 25: Mary Mother of the Poor Foundation Page 4

6 Mary Mother of the Poor Foundation 5 Feeding Program F eeding Program 4,000 school children are being fed in the following communities and barangays 3 times a week in Mindoro in partnership with Kiwanis Philippines: Ilin Proper, Ambulong Island, Labangan, Ansiray, Catayongan, Pawican, Tibago, Pitogo, Natandol and Manga. Mothers of the students join the other mothers in cooking for their children. There is no electricity and running water so they start cooking in the morning to serve for lunch.

7 Let us not be satisfied with just giving money. Money is not enough, money can be got, but they need your hearts to love them. So spread your love wherever you go. If you cannot feed a hundred people, then just feed one. - Mother Theresa Mary Mother of the Poor Foundation Page 6

8 Mary Mother of the Poor Foundation 7 MMP STREET CHILDREN FEEDING PROGRAM

9 Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the LORD and he will repay him for his deed. - Proverbs 19:17 ` MMP visited the fire victims of Malabon and surprised the children with a treat. There were 160 families rendered homeless. They spoke to the residents of the communities involved: Anonas Community, Chico and Barangay Outpost Community, East Riverside Community, Sta. Cruz Community and the BEC Youth Group, Lourdes Chapel Group, West Riverside Community and Del Monte Community. The surprise was handing out of coupons to the children of the families and asking them to go to St. Peter and St. John Church basement to enjoy "Jollibee" treat of burgers, French fries and drinks. The visit ended with a Eucharistic Celebration and Healing Prayer. Mary Mother of the Poor Foundation Page 8

10 Mary Mother of the Poor Foundation 9 Relief efforts R elief Efforts For the last 5 years, Fr. Fernando has been hosting close to 200 priests nationwide in a Priest Tennis Tournament. A registration fee is collected and MMP add its own funds to make up 1 million pesos to the year s recipient. This year s 2014 funds raised were given to the ruined churches in Tacloban and to the needs of places that were terribly devastated by typhoon Yolanda last year. The province is slowly rebuilding its ruined churches and homes.

11 Typhoon Pablo MMP donated 1 million pesos to typhoon Pablo victims in the Diocese of Tagum and Mati in Davao. Money was raised from the 4th Fr. Suarez Priest Tennis Tournament with around 200 priests from 25 Dioceses participating last February 5-7, Our very own MMP supporter Grace De Vega of Hawaii was instrumental in re-building the Church of San Isidro Labrador in Davao. In attendance was the Bishop of Tagum, the Most Rev. Bishop Wilfredo Manlapaz, DD. Mary Mother of the Poor Foundation Page 10

12 Mary Mother of the Poor Foundation Typhoon Yolanda MMP, in an attempt to help out the victims of typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) started a campaign for people in the United States to send balikbayan boxes to the Philippines. To date, we have received 162 huge boxes of relief goods of nonperishable goods, clothes, shoes, school supplies etc. from the USA. 11 From USA To the Philippines

13 Typhoon Ondoy MMP Relief Efforts in Taytay, Rizal for victims of Typhoon Ondoy. The medical and relief team provided help to over 10,000 families in West Bank, Manggahan Floodway in Taytay, Rizal. To begin with, most of them were already in poverty and they do not have permanent jobs and were living in run-down shanties alongside the floodway. Because of the torrential downpour and the gusty winds brought by Ondoy, their homes were carried away but they were able to take refuge in a nearby school. More than 1,000 sick people were treated and 3,000 relief packages distributed. Mary Mother of the Poor Foundation Page 12

14 Mary Mother of the Poor Foundation 13 Housing program H ousing Program one million pesos was raised in 2013 and given to help re-build homes in typhoon devastated Tagum through the Fr. Fernando Tennis Tournament. Every housing sector has its own chapel for worship.

15 Medical and dental mission M edical and Dental Mission Dr. Ging Reyes from Batangas and Annie Cruz from London, England volunteered to look after patients at the medical mission in Ilin. Helping out is Marife, a local resident. Free medicines were donated from Korea and Germany. Hundreds of patients are seen free of charge. Sr. Cris of the Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Hearts with MMMP s Bro. Mark dispensed free medicines. Dr. Jinky Gianan with the help of Hanna Alvarez provided dental care as well. Mary Mother of the Poor Foundation Page 14

16 Mary Mother of the Poor Foundation 15 MMP Medical and Dental Mission in Barangay Baclaran, Cabuyao, Laguna for Typhoon Ondoy victims where the team looked after 400 medical patients and 150 dental patients in an evacuation center that served as a refugee camp. 1,000 relief packages were given out as well.

17 livelihood program L ivelihood Program MMP s Livelihood Program consists of Rosary Making in Barangay Butong, Taal, Batangas and Seaweeds Management with 32 families involved, Bamboo Sticks Development with 50 families involved and Basket Making in Ilin Island, Occidental Mindoro. Recently, the MMMP Seminarians have started Moringa Plantation in Ilin Island as well as means of livelihood for the local inhabitants and a group in the US is already waiting for its harvest. Mary Mother of the Poor Foundation Page 16

18 Mary Mother of the Poor Foundation 17 Scholarship program S cholarship Program MMP s Educational Assistance Program established by Fr. Fernando M. Suarez, MMMP has been responsive to the needs of our times helping contribute in the realization of dreams of every young person which would also improve the overall social condition of their families especially the marginalized. The Educational Assistance Program of Fr. Fernando M. Suarez, MMMP has been fulfilling its goals for the past 12-years. Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. - Nelson Mandela MMP s Educational Assistance Program Goals: 1. To provide and support financially disadvantaged youth in pursuing a quality high level of education and; 2. To improve the quality of life of every youth integrating the spirituality and mission of MMMP in their lives and their respective families.

19 Grand Total of the Educational Assistance Program is 194 NAME OF SCHOOL/INSTITUTIONS/PARTNERS STATUS OF BENEFICIARY TOTAL NUMBER OF BENEFICIARIES CHRIST THE KING SEMINARY SEMINARIAN 2 CENTRAL COLLEGES OF THE PHILIPPINES STUDENT SCHOLAR 10 COLEGIO DE SAN LORENZO YES SCHOLAR 2 DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY DASMARINAS SEMINARIAN 1 DIVINE WORD COLLEGE OF SAN JOSE SEMINARIAN 10 DIVINE WORD COLLEGE OF SAN JOSE STUDENT SCHOLAR 2 INFORMATICS STUDENT SCHOLAR 6 INFOTECH STUDENT SCHOLAR 12 LA CONCORDIA COLLEGE RELIGIOUS 1 LEMERY COLLEGES STUDENT SCHOLAR 3 LYCEUM OF APARRI STUDENT SCHOLAR 25 NATIONAL COLLEGE OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY STUDENT SCHOLAR 2 NATIONAL COLLEGE OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY IIRT STUDENT SCHOLAR 80 OCCIDENTAL MINDORO STATE COLLEGE STUDENT SCHOLAR 19 OUR LADY OF CAYSASAY STUDENT SCHOLAR 2 RIZAL COLLEGE OF TAAL STUDENT SCHOLAR 5 SAN BEDA COLLEGE SEMINARIAN 1 SANTUARIO DE SAN VICENTE DE PAUL STUDENT SCHOLAR 6 STA. ISABEL COLLEGE STUDENT SCHOLAR 1 ST. VINCENT SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY SEMINARIAN 2 UNIVERSITY OF THE VISAYAS STUDENT SCHOLAR 1 UNIVERSITY OF MAKATI SEMINARIAN 1 Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever. - Mahatma Gandhi Mary Mother of the Poor Foundation Page 18

20 Mary Mother of the Poor Foundation 19 Youth program Y outh Program The Mary Mother of the Poor Youth Evangelization Services Program (MMP YES) is an initiative of Fr. Fernando M. Suarez, MMMP in an effort to reach out to the youth and journey with them in their downtrodden and restive moments. Now, under the Missionaries of Mary Mother of the Poor (MMMP) - Office of Mission and Ministry (OMM) in fulfilling its mission and ministry to be part of the Church s teaching about Evangelization in the modern times, it shall be more responsive to the new challenges that the contemporary world creates for the mission of the Church.

21 The MMP Youth Evangelization Services (YES) PROGRAM uses the MODULE on HEAP (Human Evocative Approach) which employs a variety of activities that will enhance group dynamics, critical thinking and cohesiveness among the youth. The youth member will also be trained as a facilitator of the program and animator for the songs and other interpretations for the situation and deepening processes. The MMP YES PROGRAM youth member will undertake two (2) years of rigid training, formation and service to the mission and ministry of MMMP and after completion of the program, will proceed with their college education and become recipient of the MMP Educational Assistance Program. MMP s Youth Program Goals: 1. To instill in the minds of the youth a great mission to serve the Church and their fellow youth. 2. To improve the quality of life of every youth and their respective families integrating the spirituality and mission of MMMP. 3. To advance and teach religious tenets, doctrines, observances and culture associated with the Roman Catholic faith. 4. To provide supervised programs intended to help youth develop their talents and become good citizens. Mary Mother of the Poor Foundation Page 20

22 Mary Mother of the Poor Foundation 21 MMP s Youth Program Objectives: 1. To have a clear and operative procedure in screening, evaluating and approving of MMP YES youth member; 2. To equip every youth with a comprehensive background of the program that will require undergoing rigid trainings and formations; 3. To empower every youth so that they can identify their strengths and areas of developments; 4. To nurture every youth to become a reflective, cohesive and dynamic team member, and; 5. To help the MMP YES youth member to grow and develop as a wellrounded individual: emotionally, intellectually and spiritually. MMP s (YEs) First summer Youth CaMP in ilin SPORTS DAY SKILLS BUILDING DAY

23 MMP s (YEs) leads the stations of the cross In the Streets of San Jose on Good Friday April 18, 2014 Mary Mother of the Poor Foundation Page 22

24 Mary Mother of the Poor Foundation 23 Solar light distribution S olar Light Distribution 3,000 LED Solar Lights have been distributed so far with the help of MMP and in partnership with Watts of Love Foundation based in Illinois, USA. The health of the children has greatly improved as the toxic kerosene being inhaled has been eliminated with the gift of the led solar light.

25 mass wedding M ass Wedding Because of poverty, couples in Ilin Island are living together without the Sacrament of Marriage. Through MMP supporters, mass weddings were held with everything paid for including wedding garments, wedding rings and wedding reception. Thereafter, the married couple s children were baptized and confirmed. 78 Couples were married on Feb 10, 2014 in the Mass Wedding (Kasalan ng Bayan) at Santisima Trinidad Church in Ilin Island, Mindoro. Mass Wedding (Kasalan ng Bayan) 2014 Mary Mother of the Poor Foundation Page 24

26 Mary Mother of the Poor Foundation 25 Kasalan ng Bayan 2013

27 1) St. Peter s Church Butong, Batangas Through the help of MMP, St. Peter s Chapel in Barangay Butong, Taal, Batangas was inaugurated on June 29, 2009 by His Excellency Most Rev. Ramon C. Arguelles, DD on the Solemnity of Saints Peter & Paul. Mary Mother of the Poor Foundation Page 26

28 Mary Mother of the Poor Foundation 27 This chapel is a replica of the Miraculous Image of the Holy Infant of Prague in Czech Republic. The Sto. Nino Chapel is part of the project of the Mary Mother of the Poor Foundation designed by Architect Reggie Ragojos. It was blessed on January 18, 2010 by the Archbishop of Lipa, His Excellency Most Rev. Ramon C. Arguelles, STD, DD. 2) Sto. Nino Church Pagkilatan, Batangas

29 3) Santisima Trinidad Church-Ilin, Mindoro Mary Mother of the Poor Foundation Page 28

30 Mary Mother of the Poor Foundation Ilin Island Becomes a Formation Community of MMMP 29 Fr. Fernando Suarez, founder of MMMP blessed the church vicinity with Fr. Jeff & MMMP Most Rev. Antonio Palang, SVD, DD officiates the altar blessing at Santisima Trinidad Chapel February 11, 2013 marked a historic day in the life of the MMMP. On this day, Most Rev. Bishop Antonio Palang, SVD, DD blessed the first house of formation, the St. John Paul II Formation House. This is where the Seminarians begin their training to become priests serving in God s Church. Communal Prayer, Adoration, the Liturgy of the Hours and the Rosary are practiced daily. The island provides a rich experience of formation through exposure, as they live together with the poorest of the poor. The Feeding Program for the malnourished children started in the whole island of Ilin, as well as house to house evangelization, solar light distribution, basic catechism, preparation for the sacraments, Bible study with the poor and house to house praying of the Holy Rosary. Experiencing the life of God s blessed poor will not only strengthen the Seminarians call and mission to be totally selfless but also to understand the DIVINE PROVIDENCE of God which the poor experienced daily. The blessing continued at the Saint John Paul II Formation House at the back of the chapel Thanks to DMCI, Mr. Vic Consunji, Ms. Lucy Consunji, Mr.& Mrs. Manny Sta. Cruz, Mr. & Mrs. Baby Ignacio

31 History of Missionaries of Mary Mother of the Poor The Missionaries of Mary Mother of the Poor or MMMP, a public association of the faithful towards becoming a Society of Apostolic Life under the Apostolic Vicariate of San Jose, Philippines, was founded by Rev. Fr. Fernando M. Suarez, MMMP and Rev. Fr. Jeffrey Shannon, MMMP, under the canonical protection of Most Rev. Antonio Palang, SVD, DD, on July 16, Since then, the Community has been doing apostolates in the following areas: rekindling Church communities in mountainous and remote areas and island villages where the poorest of the poor are situated; building churches and outreach centers for the poor that provide dignified place for worship and cater to the very basic medical needs through medical missions; establishing livelihood programs for the poor; reviving youth ministries, the birth to the Youth Evangelization Services (YES) Movement that now goes to public schools in various dioceses in the country; and establishing and sustaining scholarship programs for the very poor and deserving students. Evidently, the MMMP is passionately involved in "bringing Good News to the poor...a Church for and with the poor" as emphasized by the CBCP's Pastoral Letter on the Era of New Evangelization, "Live Christ, Share Christ." On top of all the missionary activities of the MMMP is the establishment of "Eucharistic villages" in different communities wherein adoration chapels are built and renewed catechesis are conducted among the young and the old. This is part and parcel of the young Community's response to the Holy Father's urgent invitation "to arouse in every believer the aspiration to profess the faith in fullness and with renewed conviction, with confidence and hope" (Porta Fidei, 9). It even demonstrates the very core of the MMMP's passionate response to the call for new evangelization (cf. 14). Being God's anointed in the healing ministries, Fr. Fernando, within the spirituality of the MMMP, serves as healing priest worldwide who draws his charism from the power of the Holy Eucharist. Inspired by this, the MMMP then engages itself on activities that go beyond the corners of the Vicariate of San Jose. It is now actively involved on television, radio, and Internet ministries, sick visitation, retreat giving, and prison ministry. It is even more engaged in a number of student grants and in feeding and livelihood programs that seek sustainable development among beneficiaries. After Three (3) years of its canonical founding, the Missionaries of Mary Mother of the Poor now has 20 seminarians, who are studying philosophy, theology and canon law in Manila, some are into pastoral management program, while the rest are into other different formation stages through its various apostolates like teaching catechesis in public schools and canonical preparation of candidates to the reception of the sacraments. Its Mother House and Chapel is in the simple and quiet island of Ilin, San Jose, Occidental Mindoro, Philippines. Mary Mother of the Poor Foundation Page 30

32 Hong kong Philippines austria greece Mary Mother of the Poor Foundation australia `United States france canada 31 The healing ministry of fr. Fernando suarez

33 Mmmp's presence In Ilin island livelihood Movie nights Eucharistic services Mary Mother of the Poor Foundation Page 32

34 The presence of mmmp in ilin island Mary Mother of the Poor Foundation 33 The MMMP Community

35 We are NON-PROFIT TAX-EXEMPT CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION in 3 countries: USA CANADA PHILIPPINES We do tax filing with the governing agencies of these countries. WHAT ARE THE FUTURE GOALS of Mary Mother of the Poor (MMP)? MMP intends to maintain on-going spiritual and temporal support to the impoverished in the Philippines while expanding its reach to other countries around the globe. Mary Mother of the Poor Foundation Page 34

36 Mary Mother of the Poor Foundation 35 F About the founder r. Fernando Mortel Suarez was born on February 7, 1967 in Butong, Taal, Batangas in the Philippines. After graduating as a Chemical Engineer, he worked for five years in a chemical plant before answering the Lord s call to leave it all behind and become a priest. In 1995, he was invited to Canada and was ordained a priest by His Excellency Archbishop Marcel Gervais at Notre Dame Cathedral in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada on May 18, After a strong calling to start a new community of priests in the Philippines, focused on ministering to the poorest of the poor, he founded the Missionaries of Mary Mother of the Poor in the Apostolic Vicariate of San Jose, Occidental Mindoro, Philippines on March r. Fernando discovered that the Lord had given him a very special gift of healing around the age of 16. God began to use him in a powerful way as he reached out to people who were in need. At first, he struggled to understand the gift that God had given him and thus he hid the gift for 20 years. However, after ordination to the priesthood, the gift could not be hidden any longer. When he blessed and prayed with people as a priest, many were getting healed. The sick and troubled began to seek him out and they were able to find the healing touch of Jesus through his hands. To date, Fr. Fernando Suarez has prayed with literally millions of people in need of healing graces of God, all over the world. T F he healing ministry of Fr. Fernando is truly a gift from the Lord. He also stands in awe as he witnesses the action of God using his hands in healing the people in front of him of all sorts of physical, emotional and spiritual illnesses. He calls it a mystery that is difficult to comprehend. The Holy Spirit has given wisdom to this humble man who is diligently working in the vineyard of the Lord, healing the sick and ministering to the poor. The Lord continues to use him in even greater ways to help enkindle a burning desire in the hearts of the faithful who are so desperately seeking the love of Jesus in their lives.

37 Now to Him who is able to accomplish far more than all you ask or imagine, by the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. - Ephesians 3:20-21 Mary Mother of the Poor Foundation Page 36

38 Mary Mother of the Poor Foundation 37 Contributors: Fr. Jeffrey Mark Shannon, MMMP Co-Founder Mary Mother of the Poor Foundation and Missionaries of Mary Mother of the Poor Rhorie H. Abalos, M.B.A. Executive Director Mary Mother of the Poor Foundation, USA Hanna J. Alvarez Executive Director Mary Mother of the Poor Foundation, Philippines Bro. Polie L. Atienza, S.T.B. General Secretary, MMMP Bro. Alvin Cabria, S.T.B. Moderator, MMMP Youth Ministry Bro. Albert V. Damiao, J.C.B. Moderator, MMMP Office of Mission and Ministry Dorothy Violeta MMMP Office of Mission and Ministry