http://www.olaparishtoronto.ca/

Our Lady of the Assumption Church

2565 Bathurst St., Toronto, ON M6B 2Z3

Phone: 416-7874547 Fax: 416-7874548

October 21, 2009

Re: Thanks to all Donors, Volunteers, Benefactors, Private Agencies and Organizations

 Dear Brothers and Sisters,

  No one is too poor that he can no longer give. No one is too rich that he can no longer receive.

 God has manifested again his bountiful mercy and compassion in times of dire need. Although God is always present in our midst, He reveals His Compassion in a very special way when His children are in crisis. We have witnessed the sufferings and loss of lives of our people in the recent calamities that hit the Philippines and other parts of the world. Our appeal for help did not fall on deaf ears. The response was overwhelming. As of this writing, we have already shipped two 45 foot containers with a total of 800 door to door-size boxes loaded in them. All monies collected totalled close to $45,000. Hence, Phase I of our operations which is Relief drive closes with a big bang. Our heartfelt thanks to our AFCM Ministry of Temporalities headed by Rosemer Enverga aided by her husband Tobias, special thanks to Fr. Jose Pena, Fr. Romeo and all priests and Deacons. Our special thanks to our caretakers, all volunteers that spent countless hours even directly from their day jobs, to help us in unloading, sorting, packing and loading the relief goods that came from many parts of Ontario. May God reward you abundantly.

We have entered Phase II which is Rehabilitation. This is a long term drive which entails rebuilding of villages, homes, and community restoration. We have teamed up with Gawad Kalinga (GK) Ancop, PIDC and other organizations to build affordable homes for those who have lost their dwellings. Each house will cost C$2500 to build. GK ANCOP which directly administers and implements the project has a comprehensive approach in building homes for families. Even before the actual construction begins, Caretaker teams conduct Values Formation Sessions to the intended beneficiaries and directly involved them in all phases of rebuilding their lives. Hence, it is not only a matter of building homes but building people with the ultimate motive of respecting their dignity and capacities.

If you, as individuals or groups, are interested in helping in our Rehabilitation efforts, please contact Rosemer and Tobias Enverga at 416-284-2810 or email at philrelieffund@gmail.com. Please write your cheque payable to GK AFCM Rehabilitation Drive. Your donations will be tax deductible and tax receipts will be issued by GK ANCOP. Our aim is to build 50 homes or more. The AFCM GK Village will be in Metro Manila as proposed after site survey conducted by GK Caretaker Teams.

We have published the partial list of donors in the AFCM Website at http://www.filipinocatholicmission.com . We will be publishing as well in some newspapers.  Thank you very much for your generosity. We look forward to working with you again for the welfare of those in need. Many hands make seemingly gargantuan tasks lighter. God bless you all!

In the Good Shepherd,

Rev. Ben P. Ebcas, Jr

Pastor/Director OLA-AFCM

May 2010   Appreciation Night

July 24 Mabuhay Festival

 Week 2 –

There is so much to rejoice in Toronto last Thanksgiving!

Within two weeks, over 1.5 tons of donations were received at the Our Lady of the Assumption Church and other outlets. Numerous volunteers were always available to ensure that goods are received and properly packed for the shipment daily.  Donations from as far as Barrie and Hamilton were dropped off at the different outlets.  Cash donations are steadily flowing in.

Dozens of volunteers helped to sort donations and load the container as the first shipment of relief goods was ready to be sent out to the Philippines.

Read our Press Release: http://www.filipinocatholicmission.com/?page_id=151

********

AFCM Parish Members in Action - September, 2009

Volunteers organizing the numerous donations given by the community to be sent to the typhoon victims in the Philippines.

for Week 2 relief pictures please follow this link:   http://www.flickr.com/photos/36081899@N08/4021362290/in/set-72157622607808122?deletedcomment=1

One week after

To view more pictures, visit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/36081899@N08/sets/72157622513795280/

Local News Coverage: (More links to follow)

http://www.citytv.com/toronto/citynews/news/national/article/60375–toronto-s-filipino-community-sending-aid-back-home (2009/10/12)

http://videos.torontosun.com/video/featured/toronto-and-gta/5745370001/toronto-filipinos-continue-relief-efforts/44587290001 (2009/10/12)

http://www.torontosun.com/news/torontoandgta/2009/10/10/11363766-sun.html (2009/10/10)

http://www.citytv.com/toronto/citynews/news/international/article/59679–second-storm-pounds-northern-philippines (2009/10/03)

http://www.citytv.com/toronto/citynews/news/international/article/59537–philippines-braces-for-second-typhoon (2009/10/01)

http://www.citytv.com/toronto/citynews/news/international/article/59131–death-toll-hits-140-in-philippines-flooding-officials (2009/09/28)

http://www.cbc.ca/newsatsixtoronto/idesk/ (2009/09/28)

http://www.citytv.com/toronto/citynews/news/international/article/59121–83-dead-23-missing-after-philippine-storm (2009/09/27)

The  response was overwhelming,  volunteers have rushed in, reliefs just kept on pouring .. after  three weeks we have to beg everyone to stop dropping relief goods to the church, because it is filled to the rafters… 2 containers filled,  800 door to door boxes or 2 tons of relief goods (Clothing, Medicines, Shoes, Personal items, Brand New Shoes, Blankets) were delivered to the typhoon victims in greater Manila and the northern Luzon !.. Thank you all!  All of you who responded made a big difference in the lives of so many of the victims.

After $110,000 of  relief help to the victims of the recent typhoons, our mission is not complete.. We have to work for the rehabilitation, most specially for those who lost their loved ones and those who lost their homes !

Hence, we are pleading once again for your help, let us build homes for the poor victims. Only $2500 will build a home, any amount will add to build one. Please continue to send your donations,  make your cheque payable to AFCM-GK , send to 31 Heatherbank Trail, Toronto, Ontario, M1B 5M6.  We will provide you with a charitable receipt of donations $20 and over. If you or your group decides to sponsor a house, we will ensure that your name or the name of your choice will be recognized in a plaque in front of the AFCM Village! Next time you visit the Philipines, please ensure that you visit the house! The family you have assisted will surely be happy to see you ! and will appreciate your support for the rest of the lives !

LET US HELP REBUILD THEIR LIVES !

MARAMING MARAMING MARAMING SALAMAT PO !

“Over 900 deaths and almost 2  Million Typhoon Victims… another typhoon is on the way !

Ramil’s winds might rival Pepeng’s; no word on rain

(As of 12:10 a.m., Oct. 18, 2009) Typhoon Ramil’s slow hovering over the Pacific Ocean might allow it to gather wind strength that would rival, if not surpass, that of Pepeng,

(UPDATE 13, October, 1:30 a.m.) MANILA, Oct 11 (Reuters) – The Philippines turned its focus on Sunday from rescue operations to sending relief to northern provinces devastated by floods and cut off by landslides as the death toll from two typhoons in 14 days rose to more than 600.

Using shovels and their bare hands to avoid triggering more landslides, rescue teams kept up a search for bodies in the areas of northern Luzon island that remained isolated.  http://www.reuters.com/article/featuredCrisis/idUSMAN480820
. “ This is the recent news from the Philippines.

(Oct 1 2 AM) FIVE DAYS AFTER STORM, MANY COMMUNITIES ARE STILL FLOODED…. AND ANOTHER ONE IS ON THE WAY… !

Oct 3 10 PM Pagasa WARNS OF TSUNAMI-LIKE STORM IN THE PHILIPPINES !

Oct 4 11:28 PM   Earthquake hit Philippines ..Another Typhoon Hit Philippines….THE URGENCY IS CLEAR!

We are so blessed here in Canada, while the poor just got a lot poorer due to this devastating typhoon that hit the heart of the Philippines.  The poor families need our help !

The Archdiocesan Filipino Catholic Mission of Toronto (AFCM) is spearheading the mission to help the relief for the victims of the recent typhoon. (Please see appeal letter from Fr. Ben Ebcas)

We are appealing for everyone’s help in relieving the suffering of the typhoon victims, those who lost their precious possessions most specially those who lost their love ones.  What can we do at this point:

1. Gather non-perishable food items, medicines, clothing or cash donations and drop them at the following locations:

• Our Lady of Assumption Church (along Bathurst south of Lawrence)  

Monday – 11 am to 5 pm
Tuesday – Friday – 10 am to 7 pm
Saturday & Sunday – 9 am to 5 pm
 

• TORONTO EAST DROP OFF LOCATIONS: 

Immaculate Heart of Mary, 131 Birchmount Rd., Scarborough (Birchmount and Danforth)

FV FOODS, 757 Warden, Scarborough (Warden and Eglinton)

TORONTO WEST DROP OFF LOCATIONS:

Sts. Peter and Paul Church, 4070 Central Parkway East, Mississauga

(Central Pkwy East and Burnhamthorpe East)

2. For general fund donation,  mail cheques payable to Sharelife -Our Lady of Assumption Church (Toronto) . place a note “Tropical Storm Ondoy Relief ”

and mail to

OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC CHURCH

2565 Bathurst St. Toronto ON M6B 2Z3

3.   DONATE TOWARDS BUILDING AFCM VILLAGE HOUSES FOR FAMILIES:

If you want your money to be allocated to build a house for a typhoon victim family, please state your complete address and telephone number and a Charitable receipt will be issued.  A house cost  only $2500  BUT you may donate any amount and it will be pooled towards a house.      Names of house donors (full amount) will be duly recognized at the entrance of the AFCM village we are planning to build. Please follow this Link   www.pidctoronto.com/projects/typhoon if you want to pay via paypal or mail a cheque payable to GK ANCOP -AFCM  to 31 Heatherbank Trail Toronto, Ontario, Canada M1B 5M6

To view pictures, visit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/36081899@N08/sets/72157622484726972/

OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC CHURCH

2565 Bathurst St. Toronto ON

Phone: 416-7874547 Fax: 416-7874548

September 29, 2009

Re:  Appeal for Help for Victims of Disaster in Central Philippines

Caused by Typhoon Ondoy

To all Filipinos, our Canadian Friends, concerned fellowmen and women:

I am writing on behalf of almost two million victims of a major disaster that happened in Central Philippines. As of this writing, there are close to 400,000 persons in evacuation centers and 200,000 more looking for shelters, 246 confirmed dead. We have seen on TV and read on the news heart-rending stories of families losing their homes and relatives grieving for the loss of their love ones.

It is during tragedies and emergency situations like this that we as human beings regardless of race, color and affiliations are tested in our genuine concern for humanity in general. We as loving and caring people are able to transcend from our own needs to reach out to those who need more.

Hence, I appeal to your kind hearts to help the victims either food items or cash donation. You can drop off your donations in kind like non perishable food, blankets, clothes, sleeping mats in three different drop-off locations. There is one in the west, Sts. Peter and Paul Church, 4070 Central Parkway East, Mississauga, in the central region, Our Lady of Assumption Church at 2565 Bathurst St., Toronto, in the East at St. Barnabas Church, 10 Washburn Way, Scarborough, On.

I am grateful to the AFCM Temporalities Ministry chaired by Rosemer Enverga with her husband Tobias, which spearheaded the campaign. We are also closely coordinating with the Archdiocese of Toronto through ShareLife which has also released communication to all parishes through the Pastors to receive cash donations payable to Sharelife and which will be sent directly to Caritas International, Manila. Cash donations are tax deductible.

May God continue to empower us to be God’s instruments of His mercy and compassion. Our profound gratitude goes to all who have already donated and to our future donors. Let us continue to pray for all the victims.

Sincerely in the Merciful Saviour,

Rev. Ben P. Ebcas, Jr
Pastor, Our Lady of Assumption Church/Director of the Filipino Catholic Mission

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Fr. Bienvenido P. Ebcas, Jr
Pastor/Director of the Filipino Catholic Community
Archdiocese of Toronto