Pictures shows procedures in claiming food pack for the needy from filling out a form, followed by an interview then carrying away the given food aid by the applicant. This mission project was carried out to mark the celebration of 5th World Poor Day on 14 November, 2021 in SHC parish hall basement.
By Catherine Wan
Nov 17 2021
KOTA KINABALU – Caritas SHC/CMI celebrated the 5th World Day of the Poor by giving out 300 food packs to the needy. The event was held at the right wing of Sacred Heart Parish Centre.
Pope Francis established the World Day of the Poor in 2016 at the end of the Church’s Jubilee Year of Mercy. The day is celebrated each year, with a different theme, on the 33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time, a week before the feast of Christ the King. The theme of this year’s World Day of the Poor, held on 14 Nov, was taken from Mark 14:7 “The poor you will always have with you”.
Eighteen volunteers helped out at the various stations that were set up for the process of distribution in keeping with the SOP protocol: filling out forms by applicants, assessing the authenticity of the applicants, to dispatching the prepared food packs in room B3.
However, due to the short notice given to the people and hampered by stormy weather, only 115 packs were given away for the occasion.
Caritas SHC/CMI has been set up in the Sacred Heart Cathedral Parish and its sub-parish of the Church of Mary Immaculate in April 2021 and plays an active role in helping needy families during MCO.
It is headed by Sirau Yal as its chairman, Catherine Engsun as vice-chairperson and committee members: secretary Irene Boon and vice secretary Maureen Sim , treasurer Mark Chin and vice treasurer Lilian Chia , Sr Anita James,Datuk Bernard Liew, Cecelia Jinolis, Christopher Chan,Janeta Dabi, Jocelyn Basilus, Josephine Koo, Julia Wong, Lorenzo Lowrince, Maurice Vitalis and Oliver Kong.
For this year’s World Day of the Poor, the mission project of food aid to the needy was spearheaded by Engsun and supported by parish priest Fr Paul Lo.
Caritas SHC/CMI also revealed their future plans to focus on the educational needs of needy children.
