NEW NOTES TawagAwit Newsletter z
July 2013
CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF GINA Gina Galvez Batuto one of the dedicated members of TawagAwit in St Patrick’s Taupo died peacefully after a lingering illness on June 17, surrounded by loved ones and friends. She left behind husband Enrique (Bro Ricky) and son Erick. Earlier on June 9, she and Bro Ricky had their nuptial officiated by Fr Leonard Danvers, parish priest. The activity also served as the 46th birthday celebration for Gina. She was in high spirits as family, friends and acquaintances attended the event. Everyone was deeply touched when Gina spoke. She thanked everyone whose lives she touched, and those who cared and loved her especially during the most difficult phase of her life.
We Need You TawagAwit invites you to help in spreading God’s Word through music and other acts of love. You can be a: (1) member; (2) supporter or (3) organizer A member is one who can attend to the regular activities of the Ministry. The minimum participation are: attendance during practice sessions of songs, usually once a week or once every two weeks AND singing with the group during the assigned mass usually once a month or once every two months. A supporter is one who can donate services or resources to the Ministry. There are special events that TawagAwit organizes and the events need finances or helping hands. An organizer is one who initiates the formation of a PHOTO chapter in a parish. The PLACE HERE, Ministry will provide all the assistance within OTHERWISE its means to help in theDELETE vital task. BOX
When Gina settled in New Zealand, she worked as a caregiver to elderly individuals. Dedicated in her vocation, she was well liked by patients and co-workers. Despite the demands of work, she was committed to her faith, serving in the parish, and sharing her talent as a member of TawagAwit. According to Bro Ricky, “Gina was dearly loved by family and friends, she gave importance to her family; is a woman full of inspiration. She left a sad gap in our lives, our memories and moments together will always be in our hearts.” For the first time, St Patrick’s permitted the wake for two days inside the church and on June 20, the Requiem Mass was attended not just by Filipinos but other ethnicities as well. TawagAwit sang the hymns during the mass. Ladine Chua and Danica Buerano rendered beautiful songs dedicated to Gina. Bro Ricky sent this message, “There are simply no words to express my heartfelt thanks to you all for attending Gina’s vigil mass and funeral service. Your sympathy and thoughtfulness have been a tremendous blessing to us in honoring Gina and capturing her spirit with such wholehearted words. Our gratitude to you all is unending.” As we pray for the repose of the soul of Gina, we also call on our fellow TawagAwit members to offer their prayers for the eternal rest of Serina Rodriguez, who died on June 23. She is the mother of Ching Mandawe, one of our active members in Our Lady of Lourdes – Glen Eden chapter.