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OOGG NNEEWWSS Official Publication of Open Gathering 2010 Issue 4

GROUPS SUPPORT OG

As December 19 draws nearer, several organizations are

encouraging their members to participate in a day of giving,

sharing and caring in OG: Open Gathering to be held

at Good Shepherd Parish, Balmoral, Auckland City.

Hosted by the Auckland Catholic Filipino Chaplaincy (ACFC), this year’s event has

obtained support from AKLnzPINOY, Katilingbang Bisaya sa New Zealand (KBNZ),

Leyte-Samar Waraynon ha New Zealand, Tahanang Pilipino Aotearoa Trust

(TAPAT) and Migrant Action Trust (MAT).

Yahoo group, AKLnzPINOY (see photo below) has nearly 1,500 members who

share information and experiences on living in Auckland. The group recently

published a Migrant Book, “From Carabao to Sheep”. Mauro “Ka Uro” Oreta, one of

the founding members, will speak in OG. KBNZ that consists of Visayan-speaking

Filipinos is one of the active Filipino organizations in Auckland, and its Sinulog

dance troupe was judged as Grand Champion among the contestants in the

inaugural Auckland International Carnival held on November 6.

The Leyte-Samar Waraynon ha New Zealand organizes regularly activities for its

members and two of its finest solo singers are expected to perform in OG. TAPAT

is a registered Trust that aims to construct and operate a Filipino Community

Centre in Auckland, and during the campaign period hosted a forum among the

leading candidates for mayor of Auckland Super City. Migrant Action Trust is a

leading advocacy group and conducts forums and clinics for new migrants who are

seeking jobs or want to understand better the Kiwi culture.

The supporting organizations have been asked to inform their members about OG

asking them to attend and bring food-and-drinks to be shared; to invite new

migrants; and to donate gifts to be given away to children and those who have

arrived in the New Zealand from two years to the present.

The organizers of OG call on other Filipino groups to participate in the event.

Please email: tawagawit@gmail.com.

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Waray Artists to

Perform in OG

Two talented members of the Leyte-Samar Waraynon ha New Zealand will sing Christmas songs to bring joy to new migrants in OG: Open Gathering on December 19, 2010 at the Good Shepherd Parish, Balmoral, Auckland City.

Las Vegas bound Mark Singzon (photo at left) and song wiz kid Angel Baguna (photo below) accepted the invitation of Noel Borgueta, one of the leaders of the Eastern Visayan group and a servant leader of TawagAwit-St Thomas More chapter. Mark Singzon recently won as 1st runner-up in the NZ-US Talent Quest that earned him a ticket to represent New Zealand in Las Vegas next year. Determined to use his talents for those in need, he performed in Westfield Henderson and Manukau in a concert for a cause for tsunami victims. Also this year, he was one of the artists featured in a fundraising event for the Kidney Kids of New Zealand Foundation at Panmure Yacht Club and Formosa Golf Resort. Angel Baguna is a young talent who exudes confidence with a sweet voice, and not only that, she accompanies herself in acoustic guitar. Performing in social events, she has gained a considerable number of fans who believe that she has a bright future ahead of her as a performer.

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WHAT TO GIVE THIS CHRISTMAS

One of the highlights of OG: Open Gathering is gift giving. In the past three Christmases, kind donors have brought

wrapped items in OG, and these bundles of joy are given to the new migrants as a gesture of love, a reflection of the

mission of Jesus in his coming to the world.

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While there are those who believe, and rightly so; that family, relatives and friends back in our country of origin, deserve our gifts and our generosity, there are many among our midst that need our attention and care as well. Most new migrants either have sold most of their belongings prior to coming here, or may have borrowed

money for the fare and initial cost of living. There are those who have not gained employment what with the economic downturn. They spend dollars for their needs, while their limited resources dwindle by the

day. There are also those who may have found work, but cannot afford to bring the rest of the family. OG is about the new migrants. OG is about those who have made it sharing to those trying hard to make it. OG is about gift giving.

It is not the cost of the items that make a gift, but the intention of the giver and its usefulness to the recipient.

What gifts will bring smiles in the faces of the lonely migrants and the innocent children during Christmas? Here are five suggestions:

Food stuffs. Fancy food such as ham and fried chicken plus a bottle of wine would certainly make a photogenic setting on the dining table.

That may be too much for some. The ideal would be canned goods such as corned beef, luncheon meat, sardines, pork and beans, noodles, etc. These do not need to be consumed totally on Christmas day, but on lean days that follow.

Kitchen utensils. Rarely do new migrants bring with them kitchen utensils as they settle in a new country. While these can be bought in Trademe or during garage sales, still it would be welcome to get a frying pan, pots, kettle, rice cooker, toaster, plates, etc. A brand new utensil would be a bonus, but slightly used ones are acceptable.

Bathroom items. Towels are truly useful. A new migrant would be happy if you accompanied these with soap, shampoo and toothpaste.

These are necessities and yes, these are welcome gifts. Books. Inspiring and informative books are helpful to new migrants. The Bible is ideal. Then, there is the AKLnzPINOY publication,

“From Carabao to Sheep” that provides helpful information in looking for a job and other tips to make life easier in a new culture, a new environment and a new country. Or you may buy some other book that you yourself would want to read, and want to share this with others.

Toys. There will be children coming to OG – and since it is Christmas, they look forward to receiving lollies and toys. What would be the kind of toys that would make kids happy? Stuffed toys – bears, dogs, popular characters – are no. 1 in the list. Dolls for girls, Creative toys like Transformers, super heroes, etc. for the boys. No toy guns please.

Our OG Gift Coordinators: Claudia Menchavez (new migrants) and Josephine Matiga (kids) request that you wrap your gifts and bring

these on December 19 at Good Shepherd Parish, Balmoral. Your generosity and act of kindness will surely make a difference to new migrants and children. It’ll truly be a Merry Christmas for them and for you.

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COME &

OG

OOppeenn

GGaatthheerriinngg CCeelleebbrraattiinngg tthhee TTrruuee

EEsssseennccee CChhrriissttmmaass

1111::1155 FFiilliippiinnoo MMaassss

1122::3300 FFoooodd SShhaarriinngg

11::3300 EEnntteerrttaaiinnmmeenntt

33::3300 GGiifftt--ggiivviinngg

December 19, 2010, Good Shepherd Church, Balmoral AUCKLAND NEW ZEALAND

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OG: Open Gathering

Hosted by: AUCKLAND CATHOLIC FILIPINO

CHAPLAINCY

The Auckland Catholic Filipino Chaplaincy is one of the few ethnic

chaplaincies in the Catholic Diocese of Auckland, New Zealand. The ACFC

operates as a quasi-parish community based at the Good Shepherd

Parish in Balmoral, Central Auckland. As a quasi-parish, it offers religious

services such as regular Sunday Masses in Pilipino, weekly Wednesday

Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help, fortnightly Bible apostolate,

monthly devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, house to house rosary

and various devotional practices to the Blessed Virgin.

The management of the Chaplaincy is a collaboration between the

Chaplain and the ACFC Pastoral Council. The Pastoral Council is made up

of ten members who are elected from the Filipino Community every two

years and of representative from each of the different Catholic groups

and associations in the Filipino community who are appointed or elected

by their respective groups. As strategy for integration, the Chaplaincy is

represented at the Good Shepherd Parish Council and the Diocesan

Pastoral Council.

MISSION STATEMENT: The mission statement is to collaborate with the

Bishop of Auckland and the Chaplain in the pastoral care of the Filipinos

in the Auckland Diocese and to assist them in their journey towards

maturity in Faith and towards integration into the local church and New

Zealand society.

ACFC CHAIRMAN: Ma. Consuelo del Castillo

CHAPLAIN: Fr. Ruben Elago, MSP

Organized by: TawagAwit, a Catholic Ministry spreading

God’s Word through music and other acts of love

Support

OG: Open Gathering

Email: tawagawit@gmail.com