There is a silent revolution going on in the hearts of the National Shrine of the Sacred Heart (NSSH) Community. It is a mission of changing the mindsets and transforming the hearts of the people so that its vision of a CARING, LOVING and RESPONSIVE CHURCH is brought down to the various marginalized sectors, the poor, the homeless, the hurting, and the disadvantaged, in the midst of the community.
The Shrine which is also a parish, has an active, and comprehensive social outreach program for the disadvantaged and the poor in the Community, which seeks to address their basic needs. This program which dovetails Cardinal Rosales vision of calling for fullness of life for all persons or a full development of the human person, is one that takes into consideration with great sensitivity their innate and individual dignity and value as a human person.
Thus, the program goes beyond the hand-out mentality and seeks to deliver whatever skills/gifts they have to empower them to seek and gain better opportunities for a better life.
The National Shrine of the Sacred Heart Parish social outreach program includes:
1. EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Ignorance is, according to His Eminence Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales in his MAGPAS Vision, the first tyranny against humans. Thus, education is the key to a better life for all.
Believing in this, the Parish launched in early 2003, the Educational Assistance Program, which started out as one of the first programs of the Parish. Starting with a College Scholarship for a year for two (2) deserving students, it was subsequently changed to benefit more children. Within a year after, fifty (50) children was added to the program.
Today we support 145 of the poorest of the poor in Elementary, High School and College Levels enrolled in public schools in the Community. The financial assistance given takes care of their basic personal needs, school supplies, field trips and other school project requirements, including transportation allowances and stipends not covered by the program of the City Government.
Other components of the educational program include:
Tutorial Programs in partnership with Asia Pacific College and other parish volunteers designed to help improve the student's competency in English, Math, and Science; subjects where they need the most help.
Computer and Book Library; the Parish has 5 computers and a Book Library to help the children further with their school work since school reports are now done in the computer and the added expense can be a financial burden on the parents.
The program is in place to make the children feel that God is present in their lives through the assistance of caring parishioners and sponsors and it is hoped that those who graduate will also help others along the way.
Now on its 5th year, the program has produced 17 graduates from the Elementary level with a Valedictorian and a Salutatorian, with 8 High School and 4 College graduates. An Educational Assistance Board headed by Fr. Clem Ignacio assists in the administration of this program.
2. LIVELIHOOD PROGRAMS
A. MICRO-FINANCING PROGRAM
Dubbed "Pangkabuhayan Program", it aims to provide financial services, primarily savings and credit to poor households who don't have access to formal financial institutions. The program targets households which operate a small business and offers ladderized loans at minimal interests.
Since it has started, it has helped 52 households, 40 of which are active in their successful business ventures. On top of this, we have helped 24 households from our former PNR families to help them settle in their new community in Cabuyao, Laguna. A second batch is being planned for the program.
B. LIVELIHOOD SKILLS TRAINING PROGRAM
A basic Cosmetology Course was conducted through the help of Caritas Manila and Splash Foundation where 23 trainees graduated from the course and were each awarded Certificates and Starter Kits. These self-employed mothers now do home service work; trimming and dyeing hair, manicure, pedicure and reflexology.
There are other plans in the offing for the program.
3. EXPANDED HEALTH AND MEDICAL PROGRAM
Our Parish Medical and Dental Health Clinic is one of the biggest Clinics in the Vicariates. It operates four days a week from 1 to 5 in the afternoon extending beyond until there are patients to accommodate. Manned by an able staff with a resident doctor, there are other volunteer doctors, specialists, private practitioners from various leading private hospitals in Pediatrics / Opthalmology / Dermatology / Obstetrics / Gynecology Family Doctors and Dentists.
On First Fridays, a well known Doctor-Endocrinologist comes with her staff to check blood sugar levels, cholesterol count, ECG, bone density and provides free medicines. On Second Fridays, a Cardiologist comes for free consultations.
During summer, a team of doctors and nurses perform circumcision on 12-year old boys. With financial assistance from such organizations as PCSO (Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office) and the Knights of Malta, these clinics are able to extend more help.
Sometimes, there is free milk or vitamins that are given to our indigent patients courtesy of good Samaritan companies and kind friends. The Clinic serves about 50 patients on Clinic days and also serves as the Vicarial Clinic.
4. FEEDING PROGRAM
A Feeding Program or Hapag-Asa, the second batch is underway in the Parish in cooperation with Caritas Manila; where 80 malnourished children in the community get regular enriched food with special vitamins to improve their health everyday from Monday to Friday. The first program graduated 51 children, while the mothers attend a Mother's Class on value formation.
5. FREE LEGAL CONSULTATION
Available every Second Saturday of the month, there is a team of 6 volunteer lawyers ready to assist the parishioners in providing important free legal consultation.
6. SSS CONCERNS/BIRTH REGISTRATION PROBLEMS
There are a team of professionals who come every Second Saturday of the month where one can bring such concerns and many have been helped with their SSS benefits including those from other Parishes.
7. CRISIS INTERVENTION
The Parish has a resident pastoral worker who takes care of everyday problems that come along such as walk-ins who need a meal and transportation assistance to return to their provinces, including desperate mothers needing to locate run-away children, emergency hospital assistance, counseling, job referrals, etc.
8. JAIL VISITATION AND FAMILY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
There are two projects implemented which are components of the Restorative Justice Program. One group teaches Gospel Values and brings the Eucharist to the prisoners while the other provides whatever help is needed for their other necessities, be it food, sports, reading materials, etc. One of the Parish Lay Organizations implements a Family Social Action Program that helps the Prisoners Families cope while the sole breadwinner is in jail.
9. ASSISTANCE TO POOR PARISHES AND DIOCESES
The Mission of the Shrine in this Millennium also calls for the love and compassion of the Sacred Heart to be palpably felt by the communities at large too. Thus this program has helped over 50 Parishes and Dioceses across the Philippines with seminarian support, catechetical programs, priests renewal, parish youth programs and other needs.
10. SELFLESS VOLUNTEERS COMMITTED TO SOCIAL WORK
Many parish and non-parishioner volunteers work in various components of the programs either contributing their precious time and resources. According to one non-parishioner, "Their enthusiasm and selfless compassion in helping others is admirable and inspirational."
The Lord calls all to work in His vineyard, as all are welcome to help in anyway. "Whatsoever you do for the least of my brethren, you also do unto Me."
Stella P. Denoga
Shrine Promotions and Devotions Ministry
NATIONAL SHRINE OF THE SACRED HEART
Makati City, Philippines
The Shrine which is also a parish, has an active, and comprehensive social outreach program for the disadvantaged and the poor in the Community, which seeks to address their basic needs. This program which dovetails Cardinal Rosales vision of calling for fullness of life for all persons or a full development of the human person, is one that takes into consideration with great sensitivity their innate and individual dignity and value as a human person.
Thus, the program goes beyond the hand-out mentality and seeks to deliver whatever skills/gifts they have to empower them to seek and gain better opportunities for a better life.
The National Shrine of the Sacred Heart Parish social outreach program includes:
1. EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Ignorance is, according to His Eminence Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales in his MAGPAS Vision, the first tyranny against humans. Thus, education is the key to a better life for all.
Believing in this, the Parish launched in early 2003, the Educational Assistance Program, which started out as one of the first programs of the Parish. Starting with a College Scholarship for a year for two (2) deserving students, it was subsequently changed to benefit more children. Within a year after, fifty (50) children was added to the program.
Today we support 145 of the poorest of the poor in Elementary, High School and College Levels enrolled in public schools in the Community. The financial assistance given takes care of their basic personal needs, school supplies, field trips and other school project requirements, including transportation allowances and stipends not covered by the program of the City Government.
Other components of the educational program include:
Tutorial Programs in partnership with Asia Pacific College and other parish volunteers designed to help improve the student's competency in English, Math, and Science; subjects where they need the most help.
Computer and Book Library; the Parish has 5 computers and a Book Library to help the children further with their school work since school reports are now done in the computer and the added expense can be a financial burden on the parents.
The program is in place to make the children feel that God is present in their lives through the assistance of caring parishioners and sponsors and it is hoped that those who graduate will also help others along the way.
Now on its 5th year, the program has produced 17 graduates from the Elementary level with a Valedictorian and a Salutatorian, with 8 High School and 4 College graduates. An Educational Assistance Board headed by Fr. Clem Ignacio assists in the administration of this program.
2. LIVELIHOOD PROGRAMS
A. MICRO-FINANCING PROGRAM
Dubbed "Pangkabuhayan Program", it aims to provide financial services, primarily savings and credit to poor households who don't have access to formal financial institutions. The program targets households which operate a small business and offers ladderized loans at minimal interests.
Since it has started, it has helped 52 households, 40 of which are active in their successful business ventures. On top of this, we have helped 24 households from our former PNR families to help them settle in their new community in Cabuyao, Laguna. A second batch is being planned for the program.
B. LIVELIHOOD SKILLS TRAINING PROGRAM
A basic Cosmetology Course was conducted through the help of Caritas Manila and Splash Foundation where 23 trainees graduated from the course and were each awarded Certificates and Starter Kits. These self-employed mothers now do home service work; trimming and dyeing hair, manicure, pedicure and reflexology.
There are other plans in the offing for the program.
3. EXPANDED HEALTH AND MEDICAL PROGRAM
Our Parish Medical and Dental Health Clinic is one of the biggest Clinics in the Vicariates. It operates four days a week from 1 to 5 in the afternoon extending beyond until there are patients to accommodate. Manned by an able staff with a resident doctor, there are other volunteer doctors, specialists, private practitioners from various leading private hospitals in Pediatrics / Opthalmology / Dermatology / Obstetrics / Gynecology Family Doctors and Dentists.
On First Fridays, a well known Doctor-Endocrinologist comes with her staff to check blood sugar levels, cholesterol count, ECG, bone density and provides free medicines. On Second Fridays, a Cardiologist comes for free consultations.
During summer, a team of doctors and nurses perform circumcision on 12-year old boys. With financial assistance from such organizations as PCSO (Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office) and the Knights of Malta, these clinics are able to extend more help.
Sometimes, there is free milk or vitamins that are given to our indigent patients courtesy of good Samaritan companies and kind friends. The Clinic serves about 50 patients on Clinic days and also serves as the Vicarial Clinic.
4. FEEDING PROGRAM
A Feeding Program or Hapag-Asa, the second batch is underway in the Parish in cooperation with Caritas Manila; where 80 malnourished children in the community get regular enriched food with special vitamins to improve their health everyday from Monday to Friday. The first program graduated 51 children, while the mothers attend a Mother's Class on value formation.
5. FREE LEGAL CONSULTATION
Available every Second Saturday of the month, there is a team of 6 volunteer lawyers ready to assist the parishioners in providing important free legal consultation.
6. SSS CONCERNS/BIRTH REGISTRATION PROBLEMS
There are a team of professionals who come every Second Saturday of the month where one can bring such concerns and many have been helped with their SSS benefits including those from other Parishes.
7. CRISIS INTERVENTION
The Parish has a resident pastoral worker who takes care of everyday problems that come along such as walk-ins who need a meal and transportation assistance to return to their provinces, including desperate mothers needing to locate run-away children, emergency hospital assistance, counseling, job referrals, etc.
8. JAIL VISITATION AND FAMILY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
There are two projects implemented which are components of the Restorative Justice Program. One group teaches Gospel Values and brings the Eucharist to the prisoners while the other provides whatever help is needed for their other necessities, be it food, sports, reading materials, etc. One of the Parish Lay Organizations implements a Family Social Action Program that helps the Prisoners Families cope while the sole breadwinner is in jail.
9. ASSISTANCE TO POOR PARISHES AND DIOCESES
The Mission of the Shrine in this Millennium also calls for the love and compassion of the Sacred Heart to be palpably felt by the communities at large too. Thus this program has helped over 50 Parishes and Dioceses across the Philippines with seminarian support, catechetical programs, priests renewal, parish youth programs and other needs.
10. SELFLESS VOLUNTEERS COMMITTED TO SOCIAL WORK
Many parish and non-parishioner volunteers work in various components of the programs either contributing their precious time and resources. According to one non-parishioner, "Their enthusiasm and selfless compassion in helping others is admirable and inspirational."
The Lord calls all to work in His vineyard, as all are welcome to help in anyway. "Whatsoever you do for the least of my brethren, you also do unto Me."
Stella P. Denoga
Shrine Promotions and Devotions Ministry
NATIONAL SHRINE OF THE SACRED HEART
Makati City, Philippines
