Apr 9, 2026
There’s something powerful about these wonderful pictures shared by the Facebook page for the Fr Jules Chevalier MSC Mission Centre in the Philippines.
Together, the community at the Centre, which is located in Lapu-Lapu City, celebrated Earth Hour on Saturday, March 28th. This year’s Earth Hour was a particularly special one, as it marks the 20th anniversary of the event, which encourages people all over the world to switch off their lights for one hour, instead learning about, promoting, or helping the environment in ways that have a positive impact on the world around us.
“The MSC Center joined Earth Hour last Saturday from 8:30 PM to 9:30 PM. We turned off all lights, using only candles and a bonfire to create a calm and reflective atmosphere,” posted the Facebook page.
“The evening began with the Holy Rosary, followed by a sharing on how we can help care for the Earth, and concluded with a joyful praise and worship through song. It was a meaningful reminder of our faith, unity, and responsibility for creation.”
Earth Hour is a particularly meaningful event for the community in the Philippines, where the MSC Centre for the Poor and their accompanying agricultural co-operative are devoted to creating sustainable and self-sufficient lifestyles, nurturing our natural world and living in harmony with the earth. Earth Hour is the perfect opportunity to join in with a global movement championing our environment and our world, and to pause for prayer in a moment that is so beautiful in its simplicity.
Images via the Facebook page for the Fr. Jules Chevalier, MSC Mission Centre.
Mar 5, 2026
It’s always a joy to share updates from the MSC Centre for the Poor in the Philippines, where sustainability and hope are at the heart of everything they do.
One of the current programmes running at the centre focuses on urban gardening, growing vegetables to supplement a nutritious diet in people’s home in a city environment. “With limited space and increasing awareness about sustainability, health, and food security, more people are turning balconies, rooftops, backyards, and even windowsills into productive green spaces,” the Centre shared on a post on their Facebook page.
The outreach programme promotes the growth of fresh, healthy food for a sustainable source of nutrition, while also saving money, encouraging physical and mental wellbeing, and building a sense of community in busy urban spaces.
“Urban vegetable gardening proves that you don’t need a large plot of land to grow your own food. Whether you have a single pot on a fire escape or a thriving rooftop garden, every little bit counts. It’s a step toward more sustainable living, better nutrition, and stronger communities—all while adding a little green to the gray of city life,” says the CFTP community, encouraging all those interested to contact them for further information and support.
Urban gardening at the MSC Centre for the Poor in the Philippines. (Image: via @CenterFTPoorMSC on Facebook.)
The community at the MSC Centre for the Poor welcomed the new year with a “meaningful and grace-filled” retreat focusing on Spirituality of the Heart, with particular emphasis on meditation. The programme was led by Fr Richie Gomez MSC, “creating a space of shared reflection, silence, and attentive listening”.
The team at the MSC Centre for the Poor in the Philippines began 2026 with a wellness retreat led by Fr Richie Gomez MSC. (Image via @CenterFTPoorMSC on Facebook.)
Over the course of three days, participants reflected on the heart “as a sacred place of encounter, healing, and commitment,” a reminder that “true spirituality begins within and flows outward into our mission, relationships, and daily service.”
“Through moments of stillness, reflection, and guided meditation, participants were encouraged to listen attentively to the movements of the heart,” said a post on the Centre’s Facebook page. “We were reminded that true spirituality is not merely about doing more, but about being present—allowing God’s love to gently transform our thoughts, emotions, and actions.”
“When we pray, reflect, and listen as one, our hearts become more attuned to wisdom, clarity, and peace,” posted the MSC Centre for the Poor.
January ended with a planning session for the year ahead, with Fr Richie Gomez and Mam Joy Bungabong leading the community in a discussion about different programmes and initiatives to take place throughout the year ahead. “With renewed clarity and shared direction, we look forward to a year filled with meaningful service, strengthened collaboration, and a deeper commitment to our mission for the poor and the communities we accompany,” shared the Centre’s Facebook page.
We have no doubt that the year ahead will be a fruitful and enriching one for all involved, with every blessing to the CFTP community in the Philippines for a positive and powerful 2026!
Images via the Facebook page for the Center for the Poor – MSC.
Dec 29, 2025
As we look back at 2025, we have received these powerful photographs from Fr Edwin Borlasa in the MSC Mission Office in the Philippines, documenting the relief aid in four regions following natural disasters earlier in the year.
“In response to a series of devastating natural calamities and fires across August and September, the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart through the MSC Mission Office mobilized a comprehensive, four-part relief project providing critical aid to communities in Brgy. 160 Libis Baesa, Caloocan City; Brgy. Landayan, San Pedro, Laguna; and the West Riverside area of Tatalon,” reads the report from the Mission Office in the Philippines.
“In total, 492 families, who had lost their homes and belongings to severe flooding and destructive fires, received essential support.”
The relief operations were carried out throughout August and September in response to several crises that that left hundreds of families displaced from their homes and in urgent need of aid. “These events included widespread flooding from Typhoon Crising, destructive fires, and a severe flash flood from an overflowing creek,” reports the Philippines Mission Office. “The primary objective of the project was to deliver immediate relief, addressing the basic needs of the victims while offering a beacon of hope during their time of immense hardship.”
The first stage of the relief operation was initiated on August 2nd, in Brgy. 160 Libis Baesa, Caloocan City, “delivering aid to 65 beneficiaries who were doubly impacted by severe flooding from Typhoon Crising and a devastating fire that had destroyed their homes”.
No-one left behind
The second stage of the outreach programme took place in the same barangay on August 7th, “providing relief to 77 families who had lost everything in a large fire on the night of August 2, helping them secure essential supplies for the days that followed”.
“Everybody Happy! No One Left Behind!,” posted the Facebook page for the MSC Mission Office Philippines, Inc on August 7th, with pictures of the relief aid in operation.
The third stage was carried out with the help of the TFUC group on August 9th, in Brgy. Landayan, San Pedro, Laguna. “Here, 150 families whose lives had been disrupted by severe flooding caused by Typhoon Crising received critical assistance to help them cope with their losses.”
“Led by our devoted Provincial Superior, Fr. Edwin Borlasa, MSC, and Fr. Ben Roquero, MSC, the mission reached 150 families affected by the recent floods. ,” posted the Facebook page for the MSC Mission Office Philippines, Inc on August 9th. “From our hearts to yours — thank you for being a beacon of hope in these challenging times! 💖”
The fourth and final relief operation was the largest, taking place on September 7th at West Riverside, Tatalon, again with the assistance of the TFUC group. “This crucial mission assisted 200 families after an overflowing creek caused floodwaters to rise to a staggering height of five meters, completely submerging their homes and washing away their possessions,” the Mission Office reports.
Collective compassion and swift action
Through emergency fundraising, local support, and assistance from other MSC Provinces, the MSC Mission Office in the Philippines were able to act instantly to support the hundreds of families and individuals who had found themselves devastated by floods and fires, “significantly alleviating their immediate suffering and providing a foundation for recovery”.
“The missions were met with immense gratitude from the beneficiaries and stand as a powerful testament to the impact of collective compassion and swift action in times of crisis,” write the team in the Philippines.
Once again, we see the tremendous power of compassion and togetherness in action – none of this is possible alone, yet together, our MSCs across the world, encouraged by the support of our benefactors, can continue to change lives and save lives in the most critical situations.
Images via Fr Edwin Borlasa MSC and the Facebook page for the MSC Mission Office Philippines, Inc.
Dec 18, 2025
The beautiful season of Advent continues, in all its peaceful preparation and reflection, and in the Philippines, our MSCs have been sharing wonderful photos of their weekly Sunday prayer.
The Facebook page for the Fr Jules Chevalier, MSC Mission Centre in the Cebu District of the Philippines have been sharing weekly posts with the readings and accompanying photos from their Advent thanksgiving.
During the first three weeks of their Advent ceremonies, MSCs Rev Fr Romeo Beroy and Rev Fr Roman Alaan have been presiding over Masses, with musical accompaniment from the Fr Jules Chevalier Mission Centre Music Ministry and the MSC Children’s Choir.
What a blessing it is to be able to share in these very special preparations for Christmas with our MSC communities around the world, all through the wonder of technology! It is a real joy to see these photographs of Advent prayer in the Philippines as we continue to pray here at home in preparation for our Christmas celebrations in the coming weeks.
May God bless us all and be with us in spirit as we pray together with our friends around the world this blessed Advent season.
Images via the Facebook page for the Fr Jules Chevalier, MSC Mission Centre in the Philippines.
