Our Mission Continues…

On July 16, 2023, on the occasion of the feast day of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, we had the blessing and opening of the Carmelite Missionaries Handicrafts and Pastoral Center (CMHPC) formerly Carmelite Missionaries Bamboocraft Center (CMBC) located at Jereos St., La Paz, Iloilo City. It was attended by the parishioners of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage Parish, guests, friends, and benefactors of the Carmelite Missionaries who were actively facilitating the activity. The event started with a short introduction by Sr. Cynthia Calamba narrating the challenges endured by the Center, followed by the unveiling of the mounted mission and vision of CMHPC by Sr. Victoria Mesina and read aloud by Sr. Emily Corazon Bacani. It was followed by the cutting of the ribbon by Sr. Gina Pios, Provincial Superior of the Carmelite Missionaries, and the Hon. Jerry P. Treñas, Mayor of Iloilo City. The blessing rites followed with the officiating minister, Rev. Fr. Joenick Territorio, Parish Priest of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage. It consisted of the introduction, reading of the Gospel from the book of Genesis by Sr. Mary Carmel Porras, and a prayer of blessing after which Fr. Joenick went around the place and blessed it with holy water with the attendance of the Sisters and guests. This event marked another milestone in the social project initiated by the late Sr. Natividad Fernandez almost fifty years ago and now continues with a new face diversifying its products, providing more livelihood opportunities to the poor and out-of-school youth through the organization of seminars and workshops in handicrafts making. Furthermore, CMHPC also offers services like counseling and formation programs for spiritual and human development. After the blessing, the guests were invited to a simple snack at the convent of the Carmelite Missionaries in La Paz, Iloilo City. All the best to CMHPC. In Jesus, we trust.