St. Hannibal Empowerment Centre

St. Hannibal Empowerment Center (SHEC) is a religious organization of the Rogationists of the Heart of Jesus. It is a community of Spirit-led persons which aims to follow Jesus Christ in his union with his Father and in his proclamation of the kingdom of God. It is an inserted community among the squatters. The goal of SHEC is to empower the poor people of Metro Manila, Philippines, through housing, livelihood, education, health, waste management, youth and values formation.

Name:
Location: Pasay City, Metro Manila

Mission: Its mission is to empower the poorest of the poor and catalyze an integral Christian transformation of urban poor communities in collaboration with the local Church by a holistic process that addresses concerns on housing, livelihood, education, health, environment and sanitation, justice and peace, youth formation and values formation. The goals of SHEC consist of assisting in alleviating poverty among urban poor communities in Pasay and other cities in Metro Manila; and building the foundation of community transformation through intensive values formation. Its objectives are, specifically, to facilitate the organization and formation of people’s organization that are self-sufficient and empowered, facilitate the values and spiritual formation and capability building of urban poor leaders, to assist the urban poor / informal settlers of Pasay and other cities in Metro Manila in realizing their dreams of achieving security of tenure through in-city relocation, to facilitate the implementation of economic programs and basic social services in urban poor communities, and to facilitate access to formal education in favor of the poor and deserving students.

Saturday, February 13, 2016

2015 HIGHLIGHTS


2015 has been a year of blessings, especially with regard to Jesus' Kingdom mission which SHEC continues as it empowers the poor to work for justice in the form of Kingdom blessings such as the attainment of decent, humane living. Francis, the pope by, of and for the poor, also declared 2015 as the year of the poor, all the more emphasizing the oft-forgotten core of the Kingdom of God, the Good News to the poor (see Lk 4:16-21). These have been celebrations which gave due importance to the poor, in view of the hope that social consciousness be raised, that all might focus on the kind of communal sharing which may minimize if not eradicate social injustice (see Acts 2).

January was marked by the blessings of the birthday and ordination anniversary celebrations of SHEC executive director, Fr. Dex Prudenciano, RCJ, the Foundation Day of SHEC, SHaCC and PABaNAL, the visit of Sean Lovett of Radio Vaticana, and the priestly anniversary of Fr. Orville Cajigal, RCJ. Indeed, the presence of these priests who have dedicated their lives for the Kingdom is itself a wonderful blessing! More Photos

February witnessed the flow of compassion to the victims of fire, the celebration of a post Valentine party and children's party which somehow refreshed the communities especially the fire victims, thanks to the initiative of the Rogate youth. Also, Fr. Gabriel Flores donated books, and Lund University students as well as TAO Pilipinas Staff visited the communities in view of fostering empowerment programs. More Photos

March reminded SHEC of the suffering of Jesus for the sake of the Kingdom. The communities and collaborators rejoiced with Fr. Orville Cajigal in the celebration of his birthday. Fr. Ron Sandoval, SVD also visited SHEC and the communities sat with him for a moment of sharing and learning. Lastly, the youth sharpened their skills in dancing in view of performances for the purposes of the Kingdom mission. More Photos

April set the tone of renewal as Christ's resurrection, assuring the final victory of the Kingdom at the end of time, was celebrated. The SHEC admin and staff went for a pilgrimage-type of recollection cum outing, to be recharged and refreshed for the succeeding missions. The youth, on the other hand, delved into theatre workshops and all participated in the celebration of the World Prayer for Vocations.

May exuded the aura of Mary, Mother of the Poor. Her loving and guiding hands helped a lot in the success of the RYMSC recollection, the SHaCC and PABANAL planning session and the Gabi ng Kabataan practices and team-building.

June was remarkable because on it fell the feast of the beloved founder, St. Hannibal. SHEC is an empowerment center which works for the Kingdom mission because St. Hannibal's spirituality was essentially pro-poor. On this month the Almost Heaven Retreat Center had its make-over, the BP 220 or the Building Code for Socialized Housing was conducted, and the much awaited Gabi ng Kabataan was celebrated.

July saw some turbulent times like the settling of problems for the Almost Heaven Retreat Center at Banaue, Ifugao. But these were outweighed by heartwarming events: the conduct of seminar on the Rogate facilitated by Father Zamperini, the Eucharistic adoration to remember and celebrate the first coming of the Sacramental Jesus at Avignone Quarters and the meeting with PABANAL leaders for a feeding program.

August brought about the blessing of a newly ordained bishop, Most Rev. Valentin Dimoc, DD of Bontoc, Lagawe who welcomed SHEC as collaborator, especially that it is in his diocese that the Almost Heaven Retreat Center is located. Certain RCJ brothers were also ordained to the diaconate. A feeding program at Baseco was carried out. Lastly, a conference on Francis' Laudato Si was conducted.

September welcomed students of the Ateneo De Manila University for their immersion. Masses were also offered to celebrate RCJ missions like that of SHEC. Lastly, SHEC staff refreshed themselves with a life-giving recollection at the Almost Heaven Retreat Center.

October was an opportune moment for some sharing with St. Scholastica students. Auditions for singing competition dubbed as "The Voice of the Voiceless" was also carried out. Two programs for total salvation of humans and creation were also conducted: the walk for climate change and the workshop for the enhancement of SHEC strategy.

November was a moment of connection with the DDZ postulants of Laoag, whose retreat was facilitated by Fr. Dex Prudenciano. Also, Fr. Arlene Gumangan celebrated his priestly anniversary. The feast of Christ the King who cares for and loves the poor aptly gave a very meaningful context for Father Arlene's anniversary, as he has dedicated his life and ministry for the wellbeing of the poor.


December focused on Christmas parties for the poor, especially for the children. Noteworthy was the feeding program at Baseco where the needs of malnourished children were attended to. The infant Jesus indeed reminds us always to care for the poor, especially the children. For born as poor for the sake of the Kingdom which is pro-poor, social justice ought to be a core message of Christmas which must not be taken for granted.

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