Giving way to 2014

2013 still has a few more days left. Time to review a year about to pass and time to prepare to move on as well for another new year!

"Homeless, roofless, but NOT HOPELESS," is a beautiful reminder of our disaster survivors for us all. Despite grief and pain, despite so much to restart and rebuild, our disaster survivors are keeping their strong faith and reminding us all that they are moving on, with hope. They have done so in the year about to pass. They will surely continue to do so in the coming days and years!

Their indomitable spirit and faith will continue to inspire many other Filipinos and others all throughout the world to keep theirs just as strong and alive as well!

The hardworking poor in our midst have also continued to call our attention to their integrity, to their determined goal to survive through diligent, honest initiatives, to stay alive, to take care of all else in their households.

Despite their poverty and their own crisis, our disaster survivors and our poor have still been able to share with those more unfortunate around them.

What a contrast to those involved in the pork scam!

Despite power and wealth, despite so much of public funds stolen and diverted into their private accounts, the abusive corrupt continue to hope that they can evade the law and continue with their merry ways. Will 2014 see the abusive and corrupt punished and jailed and stolen public funds returned and finally spent for millions of needy Filipinos?

This year saw angry and vigilant Filipinos marching for transparency, for an end to corruption.  2013 allowed Filipinos to unite and realize, once again, the inspiring joy and invaluable need to remain and to continue to be united.

Vigilance in 2014 is a must. Continuing vigilance versus abuse and corruption must never be abandoned through the years. We all need to demand effective, participative, transparent governance that will allow for inclusive growth and broader equality for all soonest, we pray.

Small positive steps have been taken but still so much to do for so many in our land. 2014 affords us all another year, another beginning, to take more steps together.

Gratefully, Pope Francis is showing us and the whole world the true meaning of leadership and responsibility. He continues to show us all, by example, how beautiful and inspiring genuine love and service, gentleness and simplicity, forgiveness and mercy extended to all can be. 

Ours is still a very unequal world though, we agree with Pope Francis I. There is still so much to be done, not only within our own country but all throughout the world!

May 2014 see an endless all-embracing network of sincere love and concern all throughout this world that so badly needs peace and security for all and please, let us remember especially to prioritize our children, our women, our poor, our elderly, our people with disabilities.

And may the New Year bring you all God's peace and love in your hearts and in your homes! Moving on and giving way to a new year is never easy. There are those who prefer to stay and remain in the past, apprehensive about what a new year will bring.

"Do not be afraid," we are reminded so many times, no less by Jesus Christ Himself. "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11).

Let us all be ready then and be always open to and grateful for God's beautiful plans for us for 2014 as we also remember sincerely to thank Him for taking care of us all with His blessings and love in 2013!

Happy, happy God-blessed 2014, one and all!!!

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