Following the lead of parish priest Fr Robert Carrillo, Canning Vale parish have established an ongoing mission to support impoverished people on the island of Negros, in the Philippines.
In June 2012 a group of 11 parishioners joined Fr Carrillo on a mission to Bacolod where they visited schools, parishes, a slum area, an aged priest’s home, the seminary, the social action centre and a rural sugar cane workers’ group.
During their visit the group distributed a total of $11,000 to needy causes.
Since returning to Perth, the group have worked with St Emilie’s Catholic Primary School to foster a sister school relationship with San Mateo Christian School and is looking to other schools in Perth to build links with schools in Bacolod.
One particular focus is to assist with the rebuilding of Our Lady of Lourdes Academy in Pulupandan, where the school was razed by fire in November 2011.
The group, under the name SEEDS (St Emilie Empowers Devoted Service), will again visit Bacolod in October 2013 and is working on raising total funds of $25,000 to support the many groups seeking assistance to improve their lives.
Anyone who is interested in supporting or joining Saint Emilie de Vialar parish’s SEEDS group is invited to contact Fr Carrillo on 9456 5180.