CaReS Kindness Station inaugurated

Baguio City— Aside from the virus, kindness is also contagious.

Casiciaco Recoletos Seminary (CaReS) officially inaugurates CaReS Kindness Station on the feast of St. Joseph the Worker, last May 1, 2021.

Also on the celebration of National Labor Day, 64 indigent beneficiaries received rice, goods, bread, and perishable goods such as vegetables and spices, poultry products such as eggs and meat, and toiletries spread on tables laid-out in the seminary façade.

“People were willing to help despite the pandemic,” said Bro. Eljann Tutanes, a second-year college seminarian and Pastoral Committee chairman.

“It is in these times that we can see the bayanihan spirit of the Filipinos. They were not only concerned for their own needs but also that of others,” added the seminarian-in-charge of the program who shared his elation due to the generosity of the people.

The opening of the station is facilitated by the seminary’s Pastoral Committee, Cofradia de Nuestra Señora del Pilar, and some volunteers.

The list of beneficiaries is drawn-up through the cooperation with the barangay officials of Barangays San Luis Village and San Roque.

The CaReS Kindness Station is open every Sunday starting from May 9 onwards from 9:00 am to 10:00 am.

Kindness Station

CaReS Kindness Station is a collaborative effort of different seminary organizations namely, Cofradia de Nuestra Señora del Pilar, SARF (Secular Augustinian Recollect Fraternity), RAY de Baguio (Recollect Augustinian Youth), Family Apostolate, Legion of Mary, Lay Formators, Personnel, benefactors, and seminary friends.

“Kindness Station” is a term borrowed from the original project of the ARCORES (Augustinian Recollect International Solidarity Network) Filipinas.

A week before the inauguration, Fray Anthony Irineo, OAR, priest coordinator of the program, read an official letter to the congregation attending the Good Sheperd Sunday Mass last April 25, 2021, announcing the inauguration of the event to take place.

“It (CaReS Kindness Station) is a modified version of the community pantry initiative that recently went viral which started in Maginhawa St., UP Teacher’s Village, Quezon City and it spread to the entire country and abroad,” read Fray Irineo during the announcement before the final blessing.

The spiritual director of Cofradia de Nuestra Señora del Pilar, also invited the faithful to donate, in the form of cash or goods.

“May our Good Shepherd lead us to the verdant pastures where anyone no longer is in want through our solidarity and charity. May our Blessed Mother pray with us,” ended Fray Irineo.