A Night of Thanksgiving and Communion

The Carmelite Missionaries Philanthropic Development Office (CM-PDO), in collaboration with Fr. Francisco Palau Foundation, Inc. (FFPFI) organized a Donors´ Night held at the Mater Carmeli School, D. Tuazon, Quezon City on December 10, 2023 attended by 66 of our mission partners and 36 Sisters from our Luzon communities. It was a night of thanksgiving dedicated to our benefactors whom we consider our mission partners. The introductory part of the event was a video presentation highlighting the history and mission of the Carmelite Missionaries, Philippine Province in Taiwan, Thailand, Indonesia, Australia, and Vietnam. Sr. Jeanette Inlayo and Sr. Genevieve Gorriceta, the Masters of Ceremony, began the program with joyful greetings. Throughout the night, they made the flow of activities alive, leaving no dull moments through their spontaneous and witty remarks. The opening prayer was led by Sr. Thea May Superio, followed by the welcome address of Sr. Milaluna Arranchado, emphasizing the reason for the gathering. A video presentation describing CM-PDO and FFPFI was then presented, followed by the introduction of its officers, who graciously presented themselves on stage. The children beneficiaries of the weekly feeding program of FFPFI dressed in polo barong rendered Christmas and thanksgiving songs that delighted the guests.

At 7:00 PM, the sumptuous dinner was served. As the guests enjoyed their food, they were also entertained with video Christmas carols of the CM sisters in Taiwan and Australia, after which a live presentation of the CM sisters followed consisting of a serenade of Christmas songs. Sr. Leonora Bauk charmed the audience with her solo song rendition of Villancico Flamenco. She was then joined on stage by Sr. Gertita Tacuyan and Novice Sr. Therese Dim, who sang Ang Parol.  Finally, the Carmelite Missionaries who were present during the event went on stage and joyfully sang Christmas carols.  Sr. Gina Pios then delivered her thanksgiving message, followed by the distribution of tokens to our mission partners.

It was indeed a night to behold… coming together, exuding thanksgiving and communion for the collaboration in the mission the Lord has entrusted to us. We called it a great night and ended the event with a song, Flos Carmeli, dedicated to our dear Mother Mary, hopeful that the collaboration we started will extend and continue till the next generations.