THE seminarians from San Carlos Seminary College (SCSC) initiated a feeding program for the less-fortunate children in barangays Mabolo and Luz in Cebu City last Jan. 12.
The seminary administration headed by rector Fr. Leonilo Igloria, chose the theme “Feeding little children as our gift to the Holy Child” to coincide with the Sinulog festival.
At least 115 children from the ten chapels under the seminarians’ Saturday catechism classes gathered at the SCSC basketball court to avail of free feeding.
Seminar Pastoral director Fr. Ariel Dutosme mentioned about St. Vincent de Paul who once said, “You cannot preach to an empty stomach.”
“The feeding program is an integral part of the formation of future clergy. Priests should not only preach through words. Our faith should also be accompanied by good works. This is given with utmost importance in the Updated Philippine Program for Priestly Formation (UPPF) by the Commission on Seminary Formation of Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines(CBCP),” Fr. Dutosme said.
“The event was very inspiring,” said Fr. Arnie Visitacion, one of the professors in the college seminary. Visitacion vowed to find benefactors to support the seminary’s feeding program.
After seeing seeing the children enjoyed playing and dancing, Fr. Dutosme felt that the church needs to double its effort in bringing people closer to God and to introduce to children the God within themselves, the God within the church.
The seminary administration expressed gratitude to Rina Amo and the people who have helped make the event successful.
The seminary community is planning to hold the feeding program every month in its neighboring areas.
Interested donors may call the seminary office at 232-8503 and look for Ellen or Anne. /Seminarian Emerald John Paladin