Christmas at the Heart of SCHC

“Meri ang Christmas sa Parokya ni Kamilo” was this year’s Christmas theme at St. Camillus Hospital Calbayog City (SCHC).  We found ourselves busy with hectic Christmas activities. At the very start of December, in solidarity with people living with HIVAIDS we held a short opening “program of light” focusing on Jesus as the light of the world. It ushered in the Christmas spirit here in SCHC as we lighted the Christmas tree and lanterns. 

With a simple salo-salo on December 4 we marked the culmination of the year long partnership with the Diocesan Health Commission in the implementation of the Bahandi Program.  On December 8 we held a great celebration of the feast of the Immaculate Conception, which highlighted the devotional renewal of vows by the Camillian Religious.  And on December 15 we participated in the gathering of the Major Religious Congregations in Calbayog held at our very own St. Camillus Social Center. 

Then on December 16 our Simbang-Tanghali at SCHC began.  We celebrated the Masses sponsored by different departments at the main lobby.  We also started our three-day Christmas caroling, the proceeds of which were allotted for the gifts to the prisoners and some depressed families in Basud and Cagsalaosao. 

December 19 was the day of out most awaited Christmas party at the hospital.  We started with the children’s party in the morning and ended with the party of the hospital personnel in the evening.  We enjoyed the gatherings which were blessed with the all out support of the SCHC community. The mood was indeed merry with the “Panunuluyan” and a well prepared program. 

On this same day we also began the two-day Get-together of the Camillian seminarians.  The five participants and seven facilitators really enjoyed the activity, being with each other in the spirit of Christmas and Camillian spirituality.  They had a great encounter and a good experience of “misa de gallo” at the nearby monastery, as well as a meaningful visitation among the patients in the hospital to whom they sang Christmas carols.

The members of the St. Camillus Health Insurance Program held their Christmas party and General Assembly on December 21. Surprisingly a lot of members – around 300 – came and filled the Social Center.  This event was followed on December 22 by the free clinic that offered laboratory and x-ray services at discounted rates. Many people in the vicinity availed themselves of these benefits. On December 23 some staff members of the hospital went to Barangays Basud and Cagsalaosao for the gift-giving.  With the proceeds from the caroling and donations from some generous donors, enough gifts were made available for around 100 beneficiaries. 

Of course, December 25 was the highlight of it all as SCHC joined the whole Christendom in celebrating the birth of Christ, the light of the world.  With some personnel, we went to the wards and shared our simple gifts and sang Christmas hymns. It was really a very enriching and touching day, with tears falling occasionally in remembrance of something special on Christmas day. 

We’re done with December, yet the spirit of Christmas extended to January as the Lay Camillian Family of Calbayog and the Stitchting Leliane Fonds celebrated their post Christmas and New Year party.  Around 250 people joined the gathering and shared whatever food they brought.  We had the joyful experience of sharing the spirit of Christmas with the poor and disabled members of the community. 

Thus, this is how we celebrated the season of Christmas here in Calbayog City. We thank all the people who contributed a lot in making the spirit of Christmas alive in our hearts.  We wish everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year!  Till next…