[Philippines] Člani združenja so podelili Mojstričino donacijo, v višini US$100.000, za dom za ostarele, duhovnikom in svečenikom iz Archdiocese iz Tuguegarao.

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An Association member presents Master’s additional contribution of US$100,000 for the retirement home for bishops and priests of the Archdiocese of Tuguegarao.

Supreme Master Ching Hai’s heartfelt love and care to people in need is always timely, thoughtful and thorough.

On October 10, Golden Year 4 (2007), Supreme Master Ching Hai sent a group of representatives to convey Her unremitting love to the retired bishops and priests in Tuguegarao, Philippines, by presenting a further contribution of US$100,000 for the clergy’s retirement home project. It was the third time Supreme Master Ching Hai had financially assisted this endeavor. In Golden Year 3, during the Catholic Bishops’ Conference in the Philippines, Master gave US$15,000 to the retired bishops and priests. After knowing the construction status from a reply letter by Archbishop Talamayan of the Archdiocese of Tuguegarao, She offered a further US$20,000 to support the project. (Please refer to News #185 and #189.) Recently, when it came to Master’s attention that the home had not yet been finished and that more funds were needed, She immediately provided the additional US$100,000 to speed up the completion of the retirement home.

The plan to build this much-needed place of rest for the retired clergy in Tuguegarao began 10 years ago. Although insufficient funds initially slowed the process, thanks to the unrelenting efforts of Archbishop Talamayan and the heartwarming generosity of our beloved Master, the project is now in its final stage and is expected to open in January 2008. Formerly, the elderly clergy, having left their family to devote their entire life to serving God and selflessly helping others, had nowhere to go after retirement. Often they had to return to their families, who may not have the resources to take care of the older and less able holy men. Now, with the retirement home, these venerated bishops and priests can enjoy a beautiful, age-adapted environment, including adequate medical care.

	Archbishop Talamayan presents a letter of appreciation to be given to Master.
	The archbishops and priests receive gifts presented on behalf of Master.

During the three-day trip, Master’s representatives visited and interviewed some of the retired clergy who will be living in the home. All are very happy and look forward to the move. Bishop Miguel Purugganan had a stroke several years ago. Because his house is rather small and is not designed for a wheelchair, he has had to spend most of his time in bed, increasing the need for care from his family as well. But with the spacious retirement home and the help of attending nurses, he can be well looked after and will be able to move about. One of the Reverend Fathers said, “It is a wonderful place before we depart on our next journey.” All the Reverend Fathers requested fellow initiates to send their love and best regards to Supreme Master Ching Hai and thank Her for Her generosity to people She has never even seen or met.

On behalf of the retired clergy, Archbishop Talamayan expresses his gratitude to Master for Her most generous contributions.

The evening the representatives arrived in Manila, the Archbishops and Reverend Fathers were shown a video of the lecture Master had delivered in the city in the year 2000. They were amazed by Her wisdom and insightful words. Afterward, they were presented with a gift of Master’s books, DVDs, some chocolates and traditional Formosan pineapple cakes. This thoughtful act of kindness filled their hearts with love and joy. Later that night, the 82-year-old Monsignor Quinto passed away after he returned home. His family said that he went with peace and happiness. His Eminence Archbishop Talamayan said, “It is wonderful that he could experience Supreme Master Ching Hai’s love and spiritual enlightenment in the last moments of his life. May his soul rest in peace with God.”

As Master said, “The retirement home should be built quickly and strong to offer the reverend priests some little comfort on their earthly sojourn.”

	A retired archbishop reads Master’s sample booklet attentively.
The bishops and priests sing the hymn “God Bless You” to thank Master.

Surprised and overjoyed by the unexpected gift, the Archbishop of Tuguegarao Diosdado A. Talamayan, D.D. wrote a letter to Master on October 11, in which he expressed the deep appreciation of all clergy in the Archdiocese:

“On behalf of the sick, old and retired bishops and priests, I acknowledge with profound gratitude Your personal gift of $100,000 (one hundred thousand US dollars). I understand that this amount comes from Your personal fund raised from Your artistic talents. We, the bishops and priests, are amazed of Your God-given talents. We saw, through television, how beautiful Your singing, Your fashion designs, poetry and paintings are. You are truly an instrument and a reflection of God’s beauty. Your youthfulness surely flows from Your deep communion with God. It is so marvelous how You can inspire a lot of people. Last night, while watching Your show, I was so inspired that I told myself that only a person who loves and shares so much can talk about God’s love. Indeed, Your concrete example of sharing is a manifestation of Your dream to make this world a better place. We thank God for sending us people like You. Your humanitarian help to different nations teaches us to live as loving and peaceful citizens of this one planet.

“Truly, only when we love and share what we have, can we build bridges to unite people. Yes, if only people would heed Your call to live in harmony, this world will be paradise. We would build the Kingdom in our midst. In order to make this dream a reality, we, the bishops and priests in Tuguegarao, unite ourselves with Your goal: to unite humanity as God’s one family. It is our joy to know that we have people like You who share a common vision with us—to defend human rights and make people realize their dignity as children of God.”

Further in the letter, the Archbishop said: “Following Your desire to finish the retirement home as soon as possible, we are glad to inform You that the construction is in full swing. Three months from now, we shall be inaugurating it… It is our honor and joy to have Chairman Lin and his companions with us. They radiate so much peace and happiness. Their presence reminds us of what meditation can do. Their vegetarian diet encourages us to live a healthy lifestyle -- to keep us fit and young. Thank You for sending them to us.”

At the end of the letter, the bishops and priests invited Master to visit Tuguegarao. Their wish is to “continue to build bridges of love and unity so that we can all be one in the Kingdom of light, happiness and Truth.”

Standing in front of the retirement home site, Archbishop Talamayan praises God for sending timely help to accelerate its construction.

To view the Humanitarian Relief Activities by the Supreme Master Ching Hai and Her International Association, please visit
http://www.GodsDirectContact.org.tw/humanitarian
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