Work With the Poor

After a year of uncertainty as to where a Work with the Poor (WWP) Restoration Village (RV) will be established, the CFC-FFL chapter at San Mariano, Isabela (District of Ilagan) held the groundbreaking of its RV in Sitio Pariir last January.17, 2009. The village was the 3^rd considered for development by the leaders of the chapter & district and CFC-FFL WWP, who all believe that it was the Holy Spirit that led them to the present site, noting that God allowed hindrances to two other locations previously being evaluated.

Perhaps, it was truly the work of God. Throughout the past, God must have planned and prepared the conversion of land occupied by the site, as well as that of His people.

See related story (The Conversion of St. Paul RV and A Vision of It's Future)

Once ruined by man and the destructive forces of nature, Sitio Pariir became a Christian community near the close of the 20^th century, and is now a WWP RV. Originally named St. Thomas Aquinas Restoration Village (in honor of the patron saint of the parish that covers the area), it has been renamed to St. Paul Restoration Village (in honor of the village patron saint).

Sitio Pariir can be reached by truck or utility vehicles driven through a 2-kilometer stretch of rough and muddy uphill narrow road. At the turn to the village stands the small village chapel -chapel of San Pablo. Farther uphill from the chapel, the road opens up to a vast parcel of land occupied by 40 families, where the initial WWP development efforts will be concentrated.

St. Paul RV is currently host to an initial CFC-FFL community composed of 23 couples, 8 handmaids, 3 servants and 12 singles. It is planned that aside from the delivery of WWP support programs, evangelization efforts will be conducted to integrate the rest of the residents to the CFC-FFL community and pastoral structure.

On groundbreaking day, as if to announce loudly their evangelization efforts, CFC-FFL brethren began the day’s program with vibrant worship and songs that reverberated to as far as the sound was carried by the mountain breeze. Fittingly, many of the RV beneficiaries were present – including the heads of the families, who were the hardworking farmers of the village.

Messages from the guests followed the worship. Fr. Pete Simangan, St.Thomas Aquinas parish priest, reminded those present that the work with the poor should be a manifestation of one’s love of God. Bro. Nonong Contreras, the CFCFFL Social Ministry Head, reiterated that WWP programs should be focused on two of the CFC-FFL core values - centered on Christ, and living a preferential option for the poor. Bro. Rene Evidente, WWP National Coordinator, pointed out that it is God’s plan to bring CFC-FFL to the present site, and with His providence, a vision of the transformation of the place will become a reality.

Also part of the groundbreaking program was a ceremonial drop of a time capsule, followed by a turning of the soil, at a location where the Community Center will soon stand. These symbolize a “firm foundation” (physically and spiritually) that is hopefully already in place, and will be built on at St. Paul RV.

After the program, a sumptuous lunch (featuring the produce of the land) was served by the beneficiaries – a break from the usual practice of having the WWP local team sponsor the food and refreshments.

This Restoration Village has finally taken off the ground. And just as the WWP local team was led by the Holy Spirit in selecting the site, the CFC-FFL in Dallas, Texas (USA) was also Spirit-led to send in the first donations for St. Paul RV.

This initial donation will subsidize the construction of the Community Center and two residential houses. One of these houses is for a member of Handmaids FFL, who had to leave the house of her in-laws when her husband recently passed away.

Concurrent with the construction, community support programs will also be provided by a WWP caretaker team. Led by Robert Gelacio (Chapter Head) and Ely Cruz (WWP District Coordinator), this team is composed of Ross Matias (Social), Bong Lora (Justice), Robert Gelacio (Education), Edgar Ravana (Environment), Carlos Dumelod (Catechism, SFL), Dra. Mel Guillermo (Health, SFL), Dra. Arlene Lazaro (Health, SFL), and Councilor Eduard Gelacio (LGU Representative).

We trust that God continues to guide all those who are, in one way or another, involved in the development of and care for St. Paul RV.

For more pictures, or visit the Photo Gallery Page.  Home>

Contributed by Isaias Bonjibod and Jett Reyes

Photos courtesy of Robert Lim