The month of June was colored with many events in the community: the 40th sacerdotal anniversary of Fr. Luigi, the launching of the health insurance, the preparation for the 12th anniversary of the hospital and the feast of St. Camillus, and the renovation of the hospital.

Life Begins at 40

Last June 23, Fr. Luigi completed 40 years in his priestly ministry. A Eucharistic celebration was held as thanksgiving for the gift of his religious vocation. This was followed by dinner, fellowship and program. The hospital community hosted the celebration. The occasion was graced by the presence of several Camillian confreres, hospital personnel, visitors from different religious congregations of men and women, several priests of the diocese of Calbayog and some distinguished friends from the locality and even from Manila. Fr. Luigi also shared his joy with the inmates of Calbayog City Jail where he donated lechon, said Masses and paid visits.

Happy sacerdotal anniversary to our beloved Fr. Luigi! We look forward to your golden anniversary...

The Poor Gives to the Poor: A Caring Heart For Others

The St. Camillus Hospital of Calbayog reached 12 years of service this July 14. As it tries to extend its hand to our unfortunate brothers and sisters who have little access to health services, the hospital through the initiative of Fr. Luigi introduced the Camillian Health Insurance Program, which was officially launched last June 23, 2008. The objective of this program is to reach out to people and educate them on the advantages of Health Insurance. Specifically, it will identify families in need and assist them to be members of Philhealth Insurance. There is a good collaboration with the diocesan priests, Missionary Sisters of Charity and other parochial organizations in various parishes.  The parochial organizations help facilitate this program which now has more than 135 officially registered beneficiaries. The identification of families in need still continues. We pray that it will attract more people…

Feast of Big Brother San Kamilo and the 12th Anniversary of St. Camillus Hospital

Everybody was busy not only with the routine of hospital service but also with the preparation for the July 14 events. While faithfully doing their personal responsibilities, the hospital community dedicated its time to a one-day celebration of these two events. They were physically challenged in competing in various sports activities from the soaring of the flag up to the heavens down to the rolling of the ball on the floor. They enjoyed it.

We believed that the event was more than just about winning the games.  We knew that building teamwork, camaraderie, and getting to know and understand one another better was what will better facilitate our service to the sick. Our activities were more than just a physical challenge in sports.  They also encouraged our spiritually gifted personnel to live on in the spirit of our Kuya San Kamilo. Essential to this preparation was the novena masses to St. Camillus. At the end of each novena Mass, one personnel shared his/her reflection on a specific Camillian theme. Aside from serving the sick in the hospital, the Friends of the Sick who are also our hospital personnel and some other members from nearby parishes paid a visit to Calbayog City Jail on July 13. In the morning of July 14, the hospital conducted a free clinic and also distributed the Philhealth ID cards to the officially registered recipients.  The celebration culminated with the Eucharistic celebration presided over by Bishop Isabelo Abarquez, DD of the Diocese of Calbayog and concelebrated by a good number of priests in the diocese.

Happy Feast Day to All!