Project 848 stands for Eight million, Four months, and Eight ways of giving

Project 848 stands for Eight million, Four months, and Eight ways of giving.

Last November 7, 2009, after the early morning Mass in honor of Our Lady, our Bishop Antonio Tobias led us in the formal ground breaking ceremony for the construction of our Pastoral Center. It was truly a happy occasion for us with the building design by Arch. Jose Lugtu that unfolded before us. That was six months ago. since then the construction has steadily progressed. The first phase of the project consists of the expansion of the existing OLAP Crypt increasing the number of units from 175 to 618. The second phase located on Church level is now almost complete. We have added 112sq.m. to the existing worship space. The Church has now increased its seating capacity from 500 to 632 persons at one time. A new altar for the Blessed Sacrament will complete this new area.

The three additional floors under construction make up the Pastoral Center with the 3rd floor to house our free dental-medical clinics and feeding center. The two remaining floors would be dedicated to formation with more ample space for meetings, seminars, workshops, fellowships and other formation and community needs. The 4th floor will consist of one huge seminar room, an adjacent meeting room, and a consultation room with conveniently located restrooms and kitchenette. The 5th floor will serve as a multi-purpose hall accommodating up to 300 persons with restrooms and a service kitchen. Finally, on the topmost floor will be the bell tower to house our 10-year old carillon bells from Belgium.

And so, Project 848 seeks to raise 8 Million Pesos in 4 months through 8 possible ways for people to give their contributions. The project formally begins on the 8th of May, the Month of Mary, the Month of Flowers for Mary. It will officially end on the 8th of September, the Feast of Her Nativity, the Anniversary of Her Birthday. With confidence, with your help through the grace of God, in four months time, from May 8 to September 8, we would be able to raise the eight million pesos needed to complete the building of our Parish Pastoral Center and dedicate this work in honor of Mary the Mother of the Lord. Come and be a part of this worthy project! Through your generous contributions we can complete our Parish Pastoral Center in honor of Our Lady and proclaim with her the glory of the Annunciation of the Mystery of the Incarnation of the Lord. Project 848 is in fact more than just a fund-raising project to support the construction of a Church building; it is also and more importantly a loving act of community building, making a brighter future for this community. There is a place, there is space, there are facilities for Christian formation, community fellowships and significant social services, and all these because of you. It sounds like a tall order! 8 Million Pesos in 4 Months! But remembering the words of the Archangel Gabriel to the Blessed Virgin Mary, assuring her that with God nothing is impossible, we are confident and unafraid. 8 Million Pesos in 4 Months sounds daunting yes, but not when we believe that God is with us. With God's grace and perseverance on our part, things can begin to happen, and indeed they shall happen - through 8 possible ways.

Come, let us make things happen! Let the Lord show forth His power. Let 848 cease to become just a mere number but a dream tha gradually yet surely turn into something real for God's glory.

Gratefully yours,