“Today as we observe Ash Wednesday, to mark the beginning of Lent, let us renew our commitment to a life of prayer, fasting, and charity, following the gospel from Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18: giving to the needy, praying and fasting,” Cardinal Jose F. Advincula said in his Pastoral Letter .
The Manila archbishop and chairman of Pondo ng Pinoy Community Foundation, Inc. also calls for support for its FAST2FEED – “Fast Today and Feed a Child” fundraising campaign.
“Whatever savings you have from your small sacrifice may be donated to the Hapag-Asa Integrated Nutrition Program.”
Since 2005, according to Cardinal Advincula, Hapag-Asa has been providing food for over two million children across the nation, which only takes ₱ 10 a day or ₱ 1,200 to continuously feed a child for six months.
“It was already third year of pandemic and yet, Filipino families especially the poor and marginalized have yet to recover from massive unemployment and its immediate consequence – hunger and malnutrition,” he added.
Cardinal Advincula emphasized that this year, they continue to fulfill the mission of providing for the poor especially for the malnourished children so they may have a chance for better health and growth, and full participation in the society.
A small act of kindness, fasting from a meal today and giving to poor and hungry children will make a difference to many Filipino families. “Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
Featured image courtesy of Capiz Archdiocesan Social Action Center
Article reference CBCP News, RCAM-AOC