Now for the second time, ACAY youth participated in the Advent pilgrimage to Mt. Samat at the invitation of the local Church. The two-and-a-half-hour ascent culminated in the celebration of the Vigil Mass at the Dambana ng Kagitingan (Shrine of Valor), dedicated to fallen Filipino and American World War II heroes and nestled at the summit overlooking the peninsula. Around fifty priests from the diocese concelebrated with the Bishop and about a thousand young people and religious were in attendance.

On October 31^st, ACAY youth, along with the Sisters, lay missionaries and staff, took time off the routine for the All Saints’ retreat. They were warmly received at the vacation house of the Ambassador Valdez in Bagac, Bataan.

The whole ACAY Family celebrated the Religious Consecration of a founding member of the Missionaries of Mary, SISTER LAETITIA OF CHRIST (GORCZYCA). Sister made her final profession of Vows in the hands of the Most Rev. Socrates B. Villegas, Bishop of Balanga, and in the presence of the ACAY Family and friends as well as parishioners during the Vigil Mass of October 4th.

Sr. Laetitia dons the blue veil of perpetual profession.

Sr. Laetitia comes from Poland and has been a missionary in the Philippines for eight years. She was recently assigned Program Head of the School of Life.

Conquering the summit...

Ten boys join the After Care Program of MVP. After an intensive, two-week course of formation for these newcomers, they were formally received into ACAY. Their efforts during the orientation phase paid off when they scaled the heights of Mount Tarak and had an awesome time of bonding together.

The MVP Boys with the Scouts de France who came for a month-long service.

LAURENT THORIGNE (“Kuya Lawrence”), a volunteer in his fourth year of service, has been named Program Head of the Marcel Van Program. He succeeds JOAQUIN MORIN (“Kuya Jack”) who moves on to spearhead the Family Program.

As MVP Program Head, Kuya Lawrence welcomes his new charges with the commitment emblem.

Dear Friends,

After a decade of untiring service to the Filipino youth, the Missionaries of Mary still venture on…

The Sisters wish to thank all their friends, those men and women who have journeyed with them over the years. With the founding of the Association Compassion Asian Youth (ACAY), a new way has been paved for them to trek bravely along with their precious young.

Bishop Socrates B. Villegas graciously welcomed them to their new home in Balanga, Bataan where they hope to nurture the flowering of a new movement that is freshly animated by a fervent apostolic spirituality. Bringing together consecrated women (Sisters) and laypersons from different backgrounds and nationalities, the Missionaries of Mary strive to respond to the call to spread hope and compassion in the world today. The Bishop aptly affirms this: “They bring the love of Jesus to the least, the last and the lost in Asia. Jesus visits his people through the Missionaries of Mary.”

A blessed work of their hands through the years, ACAY has raised three strong pillars: the School of Life, the Marcel Van Program and the Family Program.

THE SCHOOL OF LIFE welcomes young girls 14 – 21 years old who have been victims of neglect, violence and physical or sexual abuse. Since being started eight years ago, it has now moved to its new location in Balanga, which is two hours north of Manila. The house there was acquired through generosity of benefactors from France. It serves as a place of fellowship for the ACAY family and friends.

THE MARCEL VAN PROGRAM maintains a center in Quezon City, Metro Manila. Its After Care Program caters to young men who are being assisted with their full rehabilitation, following their release from institutional custody. The “MVP Boys” receive professional and personalized support all the way to the end of the two-year program. Meanwhile, those still in detention or rehabilitation centers benefit from the Youth Center Program through educational and psychosocial support interventions.

THE FAMILY PROGRAM took form in answer to the need of helping the families of ACAY beneficiaries help themselves and build homes that stand up to the challenges of modern-day living.

The fruits borne by all the hard work have caused ACAY to take pride, especially in the following achievements from the previous year:

• 3 girls from the School of Life have received diplomas in commerce
• 2 have received diplomas from nursing school
• 1 has received a diploma in social work
• 5 young girls have completed their high school education
• 1 young girl has completed her elementary education
• 6 boys have graduated from the MVP After Care Program and are now employed
• 14 new girls have joined the School of Life
• 15 new boys have joined the MVP After Care Program
• 250 people attended the annual Family Seminar
• Hundreds of children in conflict with the law (CICL) in various centers have benefited from educational and psychosocial interventions
  

Setting out anew day by day and full of hope for the work before them, the Missionaries of Mary and their coworkers look to the future brimming with contagious optimism that lights up the way.