Sto. Tomas de Villanueva Parish is in the town of General Luna in Siargao Island. Sta. Ana Parish is in the town of San Isidro, in Siargao Island. Both these parishes belong to the Diocese of Surigao under the leadership of Bishop Antonieto Cabajog. They are among the hundreds (thousands?) of churches and public structures that sustained heavy damage from Typhoon Odette.

The churches in these small towns are often the center of community life. Aside from worship, this is where they gather for family milestones. It is also where they receive guidance regarding social and other issues. The parish of Sto. Tomas for instance, has 311 BEC families in its care. And now, roofs have been blown away, walls have crumbled.

On their own, they cannot rebuild or even repair their damaged church. They are simple folk who rely on the sea and on what little land they have for their subsistence. They cannot expect to get government funding. They are also not in the priority list of civic organizations. It is then up to their brothers in faith to help them.

For these reasons, St. James COPA Foundation is conducting a drive to help these two communities repair their churches. In the spirit of the Lenten Season, COPA hope you will make this a part of your Lenten sharing.

Thank you for your generosity and we hope you never tire of helping our needy brothers and sisters.