LONG BEACH – Bishop Oscar Azarcon Solis held a special mass celebration for Typhoon Haiyan(Yolanda) victims in the Philippines on November 20 at St. Mary Medical Center Chapel in Long Beach, CA.
The solemn mass was attended by nurses and other healthcare workers to remember victims of Typhoon Haiyan, which struck the Philippines on November 8 and killed more than 4,000 people, while displacing thousands more.
The Bishop gave a homily about the unity of Filipinos and the importance of financial contributions in times of need and suffering.
“People still carry connectedness once again, showing love and compassion to one another, in this challenging times,” Solis said.
Before the conclusion of homily, Bishop Solis also asked the attendees to also pray for the Bohol earthquake victims and the tornado victims in the Midwest, which occurred on October 15 and November 17, respectively.
A luncheon followed the special mass.
Dignity Health Department President and CEO Tom Salerno expressed sympathy to his Filipino employees.
“I am devastated from what I saw in the news and heard from employees (who have family members affected by typhoon). Our prayers continue for the typhoon victims and their family members,” Salerno said.
Salerno told Asian Journal that St. Mary Medical Center is currently doing monetary donations for the typhoon victims.
Bishop Solis’ visit to St. Mary Medical Center inspired many healthcare workers, who have relatives or friends in the Philippines.
“The Bishop’s visit helped reinvigorate and remind us that we are interconnected by our mission to help others,” Sr. Gerard Earls, Mission Integration vice president at St. Mary Medical Center, said.
(www.asianjournal.com)
(LA Weekend November 23-26, 2013 Sec A pg.7)