The Archdiocese of Lipa has lined up several activities in observance of World Day of the Poor on Friday, Sept. 23.
Fr. Jayson Siapco, director of the Lipa Archdiocesan Social Action Center (LASAC) said all the parishes in the archdiocese would celebrate a Jubilee Mass simultaneously on Friday. This will be followed by distributing food items and other necessities by the Kindness Center of LASAC.
The priest said funds for the gift-giving would come from the Malasakit Bazaar that was organized by the archdiocese. Volunteers and staff members of LASAC will go on mission caravans to the far-flung areas in Batangas to distribute food items and other necessities to indigent residents.
The social action of the archdiocese will also launch livelihood programs lasting from six months to a year to provide jobs and sources of income for the needy, said Fr. Siapco.
The archdiocese will also launch Pastoral Guide Books for social action ministers.
“This time, we want the people to feel the church going to their homes. Our pastoral leaders will be visiting homes to conduct church services for free such as baptism, wedding, confirmation, even first communion for children,” Fr. Siapco said over Radio Veritas.
LASAC will also gather COVID-19 survivors and will be offering prayers for those who died during the pandemic.
Pope Francis initiated the observance of World Day of the Poor in 2017 to highlight the importance of mercy and compassion towards the poor and the needy.