MANILA, Philippines ? Hospitals saddled with abandoned newly born babies in their nurseries can now call Grace to be Born Ministry in Pasig through Rey Ortega at 0927-501-0605 or Myrna Ortega at 0917-803-9139. The shelter on 53 Dr. Sixto Antonio Avenue in Kapasigan, Pasig, was blessed last May 8 by Father Roy Rosales, parish priest of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral.
Unwed pregnant women also now have a place to take refuge ? with no questions asked, no deposit required for board and lodging. They are just asked not to abort.
This shelter was made possible by the couple Basti and Betty Roxas Chua, who owns the building and were giving the place for use rent-free. The couple spent P2 million to renovate the place and build rooms. This setting up of the shelter is a dream come true for Rey Ortega and Bo Sanchez of the Light of Jesus Community. Betty and Basti Roxas Chua founded Rosary for Life Philippines that opposes abortion by praying all four Mysteries of the Holy Rosary for one hour a week.
How it came about
Mr. and Mrs. Roxas Chua came to know about the need for the shelter when Rey Ortega acted as proxy for Bo Sanchez as guest speaker during the third Wednesday Mass of the Rosary for Life last November. Rey cited statistics revealing that there are at least 300,000 abortions in the Philippines in a year. Then, he mentioned the need for a shelter for unwed mothers and their babies who will be taken care of by volunteer ob-gyne and pedia doctors.
The following day, Betty Chua called Rey to lunch and discussed with him the possibilities of putting up a shelter. Rey, by the way, also runs the Tahanan ng Pagmamahal Children?s Home (an orphanage), so he has experience dealing with the problem of abandoned babies.
Last January, the Chuas met with Sanchez and Ortega, and they decided to put up the shelter.
Those who wish to help in this cause can donate in cash or in kind; diapers, milk, baby clothes, medicines and money to pay for water and electricity. For more info, please e-mail rortega_corinthians@yahoo.com.
If you urgently need to talk to someone who can help an unwed mother, please call Light of Jesus office at 725-9999, or for counseling, Ditas Español at 726-6728.
Rally versus population control bill
Father Melvin Castro of the diocese of Tarlac is calling for people to go to the Batasan to rally against the Reproductive Health Bill. Those who cannot go, please pray, so life may be preserved.
San Lorenzo Ruiz in HK
In its second attempt to spread the devotion to San Lorenzo Ruiz among OFWs and Filipino migrants, the San Lorenzo Ruiz Global Ministry is going to Hong Kong on June 5 to bring a 3-foot statue of the saint. Father Emil Lim, SVD, is the chaplain of the Filipino community. The driver of Labor attaché Romulo Salud will have us met and brought straight to Annunciation Church where Fr. Emil will bless the image.
Philippine Ambassador to Singapore Minda Calaguian-Cruz told me when we were there last May 6 that ?the world has gone borderless, so that people now move from place to place of their choice.?
This speaks of Filipinos now living and working in different parts of the world. With an intercessor to God like San Lorenzo Ruiz, our OFWs will bravely face what awaits them wherever they are.
Who is San Lorenzo Ruiz? Lorenzo Ruiz was a layman, married and had two sons and a daughter. He was born in Binondo sometime in l600 and educated by the Dominicans. He was working as an ?escribano? for the parish when he was accused of killing a Spaniard. To save his life, his Father Confessor advised him to sail with some Dominican priests going to Nagasaki, Japan in 1636. While there, the pagan authorities told him to renounce his faith. Lorenzo refused.
He and his companions were tortured. San Lorenzo died on Sept. 28, 1637. Pope John Paul II came to Manila to beatify him on Feb. 18, 1981. Father Erno Diaz, founding chair of this ministry, was present at the Luneta during the beatification.
When Blessed Lorenzo Ruiz was canonized on Oct. l8, 1987, Father Erno went to Rome for the canonization. In l983, he began the propagation of the devotion in New York and Jose Mari Chan was the first ?hermano mayor.? Erno wrote the book ?On the Road with San Lorenzo Ruiz,? published by UST Press. Available at National Bookstore; also text 0917-8718870 for copies.
Those who want novena prayers to San Lorenzo Ruiz can write to me c/o the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Pasong Tamo Ave., Makati City. Please enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope for easier mailing.
Today is the feast of Our Lady of the Visitation. Apropos that I am writing about the Grace to be Born Ministry. Happy Feast Day Mama Mary.
