18 December 2013 - The Caritas Lebanon Migrant Center (CLMC), in cooperation with the Philippine Embassy, held a mass on December 08 for the victims of typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) in the central Philippines, to offer prayers for the speedy recovery of those who were affected by the typhoon and to show its solidarity with the Filipino people.  Members of the diplomatic corps led by the Papal Nuncio and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, H.E. Monsignor Gabriele Caccia, Lebanese individuals, Filipino-Lebanese families, members of the Filipino community, CLMC officers and staff led by Caritas Lebanon President Rev. Fr. Simon Fadoul, CLMC Board President Engineer Kamal Sioufi and CLMC Director Ms. Najla Chahda, and the Embassy, Philippine Overseas Labor Office and Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration personnel led by Ambassador Leah M. Basinang-Ruiz were present.

Rev. Fr. Fadoul and Monsignor Caccia delivered their respective messages where they expressed their support and offered prayers for the victims of the typhoon.  Monsignor Caccia likewise conveyed the Holy Father, Pope Francis’ message of sympathy to the Filipino people and prayers for the victims of the typhoon. 

Ambassador Ruiz highlighted the presence of Msgr. Caccia as a concrete manifestation of the concern and love by the Holy Father for the Filipino people.  She thanked the CLMC officers and staff for organizing the Holy Mass and the Lebanese community for their support and presence.  Ambassador Ruiz also stated that the mass offering is a wonderful and concrete gesture of sympathy, solidarity and support from Lebanon, which will always be remembered by a grateful nation. END