Message - SGD. MANOLO A. DELOS SANTOS,D.D.

DIOCESE OF VIRAC
CHANCERY OFFICE
Virac, 4800 Catanduanes, Philippines


MANOLO A. DELOS SANTOS.D.DD
Bishop of Virac

MESSAGE



The church is god’s family in the world. In this family no one ought to go without the necessities of life……” so then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, and especially to those who are of the household of faith” (6:10). (Dues Caritas Est. 25b)
With these words of the holy father, Pope Benedict XVII, I wish to greet you, my dear people of god in San Andres, Catanduanes, as you celebrate the feast of your Patron Saint, St. Andrew the Apostle.
Your theme, Uswag Calolbon, Bangon Calolbon echoes the common desire of all our people today. We all want to live a life that befits our human dignity and Be saved from material poverty that seems to worsen as time goes on. The economic advancement that the government is saying seems to be confined to the few and is rarely felt by our people.
As God’s family in the world, in the words of our beloved Pope, no one ought to go without the necessities of life. This spurs us to do what we have to do what we have in hand through the principle subsidiarity that the church teaches. It asks the state to knowledge and support initiatives arising from the different social forces and combine spontancity with closeness to those in need. The church is one of those living force: she is alive with the love enkindled by spirit of Christ. The love does not simply offer people material help, but refreshment and care for there souls, something which often is even more necessary the material support. (Dues caritas EST, 28b)
As a member of that portion of God’s family. I enjoin you, with your leaders to continue searching for ways and initiatives that would better the economic and moral condition of our brothers and sisters, especially the most needy and neglected ones. Above all, let the love of god inspire you to pursue the arduous task that lay before you.
I wish you all a blessed and fruitful fiesta celebration! And I now impart my apostolic blessing to all of the people of Calolbon and the devotees of St. Andrew the Apostle as a pledge of my earnest prayers for you all.


SGD. MANOLO A. DELOS SANTOS,D.D.