Camillian Task Force Mindanao holds turn-over ceremony

MATI CITY – A dozen representatives of the St. Camillus Hospital of Mati (SCHM) led by hospital director Fr. Angel Crisostomo of the Ministers of the Infirm (MI) and assistant Fr. Marven Ruyeras, MI attended the Turn-over and Welcome Ceremony of the Camillian Task Force Mindanao (CTFM) held at the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) in Davao City on August 8, 2013.

The occasion also marked the 16th Foundation Day of the Divine Healer Chapel of SPMC and the Welcome Party for the incoming priest-chaplains and new CTFM coordinator replacing outgoing CTFM regional coordinator and SPMC chaplain Fr. Domingo “Meng” Barawid, MI.

In a short program, Fr. Meng welcomed and introduced the incoming regional coordinator and new SPMC chaplain Fr. Charlie Ricafort, MI, and companion Fr. Brian Rances, MI, chaplain for San Pedro hospital. Meanwhile, Davao-based Fr. Wilson Peñaranda, MI will continue his chaplaincy-related works at SPMC, while Fr. Meng will be assigned to their Camillian community in Australia.

Fr. Meng further acknowledged the presence of the different organizations and volunteers composed of lay workers and doctors from SPMC and SCHM who perseveringly served during the typhoons Sendong in Cagayan de Oro and Pablo in Davao Oriental; as well as the members of the MI community, the lay ministers of SPMC, SCHM representatives, Handmaids of the Lord, Miraculous Medal, Divine Healer choir, and the SPMC children’s choir that rendered special songs for Fr. Meng.

A video presentation showed the CTFM volunters extending humanitarian aid and medicines to the typhoon victims and treating various illnesses; this was followed by the giving of certificates of recognition and membership to the volunteers present.

Closing remarks were delivered by the new CTFM coordinator Fr. Charlie who expressed “my heartfelt gratitude to Fr. Meng and the people involved and assure all that I will continue whatever programs were left by Fr. Meng, particularly the four programs under the Camillian Task Force—the CTFM Disaster Response, HIV Information Dissemination, Justice Advocacy, and Community Health & Development.”

Fr. Charlie assured everyone that “no matter how small is our contribution it will become big later on.”

By Olivia Jimeno