Pastoral LETTER
“The CARITAS MANILA SUNDAY”
Christmas 1976
To my dear People of God in the Archdiocese of Manila:
It will not come as a surprise
to you to receive from me at Christmas another letter on the subject of your
neighbors’ needs. Each year in the Archdiocese at this time we recall in a
special way the Christian law of love in giving. “There is more happiness
in giving than receiving” (Acts 20: 35) our Saviour
said. You are already thinking of ways and means to give joy to family and
friends at Christmas; this is an appeal to widen your horizon to include those
who perhaps have no family and few friends, at least such as are in a position
to lighten their material burdens.
The Archdiocese of Manila knows
no seasons in its work of helping the needy. It is always Christmas at Caritas
Manila. Housing, feeding, medical care in clinics are its daily pro-occupation
the year round. Then there are recurring emergency calls which must be met
at a moment’s notice, when typhoons strike the Archdiocese, on fires, floods
and earthquakes render people homeless.
Necessary as are these forms
of aid, they are not the most important work of the Archdiocese with regard
to the poor. It is obvious that the finest aid is to make aid unnecessary.
If the poor and handicapped, the blind, the paraplegics can be educated to
exercise gainful skills, they will have been permanently helped, and permanently
elevated out of the vast number dependent on the charity of others. Moreover
they will have been benefitted
in a more important, if less tangible area; their human dignity will
have been enhanced. And finally they will even join
the ranks of those who by their giving can help others.
It need hardly be said that
the work is never finished. “You have the poor always with you” (Jn 12: 8). People in need of our help will always be found.
And let us recognize this for what it is: a grace from God. There is nothing
that so becomes a Christian as solicitude for the poor. It is then he is most
Christlike.
This Christmas appeal is also
a splendid opportunity to obtain alms for ourselves, the alms of God’s mercy
and blessing. All are familiar with Christ’s assurance: “Whatsoever you did
to the least of my brethren you did to me” (Mt 25:40). To which we may add
His other assurance: “If anyone gives so much as a cup of water to one of
these little ones... he will most certainly not lose his reward (Mk 9:41).
The work of Caritas Manila
cannot be carried on without financial help. Though there are some who think
that the Church has endless and inexhaustible resources, this is a myth. Without
your help we cannot cope with the problem of helping the poor of Manila. And even if we could, we would not want to deprive
you of the opportunity of participating in such a noble work. At all Masses
this coming Sunday, 19 December 1976, a special collection will be taken up and all contributions
received will, be used to support your work in Caritas Manila. I appeal to
you to be generous.
God bless you,
and thank you for your aid in the past. Try to make a special effort again.
“God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor 9:7).
Remember, I love you all very
dearly!
Devotedly yours in Christ,
(SGD.) +
Jaime L. Cardinal Sin, D.D.
Archbishop of Manila
Christmas 1976
