Thomasians Turn Over Donation for Ritarians

SAN CARLOS, Negros Occidental – September 4, 2023—One Recollect family, indeed.

Thomasians turned over cash donations to Colegio de Sta. Rita de San Carlos, Inc. (CSR) amounting to Php 35,000, today.

The help for Ritarians was collected during the Feast Day Mass in honor of St. Ezekiel Diaz Moreno (anticipated) last August 18. Thomasians, including students, parents, teachers, staff, and administrators pooled their resources for the CSR family.

Sr. Ma. Marcela Dela Cruz, AR, superior of the CSR community and directress, and Sr. Teresita Diana, AR, school principal, accepted the donation turned over at the CSR Basic Education Department building at Barangay I, San Carlos City.

Generosity Abounds. Sr. Ma. Marcela Dela Cruz, AR, superior of the community & directress, expresses her gratitude to all who came to their aid during such trying times. Sr. Marcela, as she is fondly called, was in Manila when the fire happened and yet she has been experiencing the miracle of charity as her community has been hurdling the aftermath of the tragic fire.

“Miracles truly happen.”

Sr. Diana shared with the Thomasians how the miraculous image of St. Rita of Cascia, the face of which is made of ivory, withstood the fire. The Tabernacle and the Sacred Hosts with the sacred vestments were also saved and remained intact even as firefighters fought for nearly five hours to contain the fire that engulfed the whole chapel. 

For her part, Sr. Dela Cruz made it known that the community in San Carlos City has been pouring their generosity upon the Augustinian Recollect sisters and the Ritarian community by providing food and basic clothing, especially to the 12 working scholars who lost all their physical belongings.

We Keep Going. Sr. Teresita Diana, AR, principal, (L) accepts the donation from the Thomasians with Sr. Dela Cruz (top R) as Ms. Marinell Ocampo, principal of CST-R, represents the Thomasian community (seated R).

It can be recalled that a fire razed the CSR Main Building to the ground last August 14. The St. Rita Chapel, School Library, Computer Laboratory, Accounting Office, classrooms, and other college laboratories were among the destroyed facilities.

Ms. Marinell Ocampo, CST-R Principal, led the Thomasians during the turnover, and with her were the newly elected Supreme Student Council Officers from the College and Basic Education Departments.

Augustinian Recollects, After All. Thomasians Faculty and Staff members from the Basic Education and College Departments with the newly elected Supreme Student Council officers pose with Sr. Diana and Sr. Dela Cruz.