OG NEWS 3

Official Publication of Open Gathering 2015

Issue 3

EMOTIONAL, FUN GATHERING Surrounded by the organisers, volunteers and supporters, new migrants felt the warm hugs that showed the welcoming and comforting objective of OG: Open Gathering 2015 on December 20, 2015 in Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Glen Eden, Auckland.

The OG Group Hug was one of the highlights of the event of “sharing, caring and giving” jointly organised by Migrant Action Trust (MAT), Tahanang Pilipino Aotearoa Trust and TawagAwit.

The new migrants composed of families and individuals were treated to an afternoon of activities that included gift-giving, fun games, meaningful serenades, heartwarming messages and food sharing.

Upcoming acoustic artist Kayth Alex opened the program with a touching invocation song, “Captain” that contained the lines: "Jesus my Captain, my soul's trusted Lord, All my allegiance is rightfully Yours."

MAT’s Honey Rasalan formally welcomed the attendees. She said that the abundance of the gifts and of the food reminded her of the multiplication of the bread in the Bible, with the generosity of people creating a similar miracle.

The duet performance of Maike Boquiren and Christie Amiscua of “A Thousand Miles” mesmerised the audience as not only did the two children sing, they accompanied themselves in the piano and violin.

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Fr Mario Dorado, parish priest of the host parish, was the main speaker, and he addressed the new migrants on the how to prevail over the difficulties that they encounter. He told of his personal struggle when he was diagnosed with leukemia.

Acknowledging the power of prayer, he also shared that “keeping a happy disposition and positive attitude” helped him through the pain and suffering. “Be happy,” he said.

The gift-giving to families and to individuals were led by Debbie Libre and Victor Hebia, both of TawagAwit.

Other than the Christmas Boxes from The Life Centre Trust, the new migrants also received gifts from Western Union and individual donors. Kayth Alex and the T-Kids performed “A Song of Peace” that they dedicated as a prayer to victims of ongoing wars.

Naty Redoble, a retired educator in the Philippines, spoke on behalf the new migrants as a response. She thanked the organisers, while at the same time, expressing the difficulties that she has gone through, having children in different parts of the world. Her sharing caused some to be teary-eyed.

The program took a break for snacks (or tea break as they would call it in New Zealand) with food in abundance from contributions of many benefactors present.

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When everyone thought that the program was winding up, programme host Mel B Libre called on the new migrants to form a circle in the middle of venue, followed by the rest in the gathering. And then it happened – the OG Group Hug. For a moment, there was a feeling of serenity, peace and community. With a few more tears shed.

Ching Mandawe livened up the event, as she asked for participants in the games that proved to be a hit, bringing laughter to all.

Still there were many gifts left, as generous individuals brought heaps to share. Almost everyone went home with a gift on hand.

Thanks to all the Santa Clauses to the new migrants. Dongskie Bardelas, who was among the beneficiaries last year, closed the programme with a prayer for the new migrants and to the all who contributed to the success of the event.

Until next Christmas? For as long as there are generous individuals and giving institutions, there will certainly be OG: Open Gathering next year, as we commit to our mission of “making Christmas merry for new migrants.�

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EDITORIAL Thank You All God makes miracles, and every Christmas He leads handful of individuals to organise OG: Open Gathering that aims to “make Christmas merry for new migrants.”

There was uncertainty about OG in 2015, yet things simply fell into place in early December. Honey Rasalan of Migrant Action Trust informed TawagAwit, the ministry that founded the event in 2007, that The Life Centre Trust had set aside Christmas Boxes for new migrants.

Volunteers came forward and as invitations were sent out, new migrants responded. The OG Gift List increased as the event drew closer; and when we thought we could not find a venue to hold it, the parish of Our Lady of Lourdes in Glen Eden, through its parish priest Fr Mario Dorado, without hesitation agreed to host it.

The programme focused on the special guests – the new migrants – with heartwarming songs, with gifts of goodies and with inspiring speeches. Like one family, everyone partook of the food. And the OG Group Hug that formed into a circle of love showed the new migrants how much the organisers, volunteers and supporters cared for them.

OG is but one of the many Christmas programmes around the world that gave meaning to the season marking the gifting of God to humanity of His only Son, Jesus Christ, who came to save us from sin and damnation.

“Goodwill to all men” was one of the reasons for the infant Jesus’ coming; and it is for men of goodwill to continue the task.

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HISTORY OF OG: Open Gathering December 22, 2007

- TawagAwit organised the first OG in St Mary’s Parish, Northcote

December 20, 2008

- OG returned to St Mary’s Parish, Northcote

December 20, 2009

- OG was held in David Nolan Auditorium, Takapuna

December 18, 2010

- OG took place in the Good Shepherd Parish, Balmoral

December 18, 2011

- TawagAwit-Albany hosted OG in the JPII Mass Centre in Albany

December 23, 2012

- With the support of KBNZ, TawagAwit organised OG in Blockhouse Bay Community Centre

December 2013

- Due to Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda, OG gave way to GigAlive to raise money for help victims in the Philippines

December 13, 2014

- TawagAwit supported by KBNZ, Migrant Action Trust and The Life Centre Trust hosted OG in Panmure Community Hall

December 20, 2015 – Migrant Action Trust, Tahanang Pilipino Aotearoa Trust and TawagAwit supported by The Life Centre Trust hold OG in Our Lady of Lourdes Parish – Glen Eden.

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2015

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OG PHOTOS by Jam Parado

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THE ORGANISATIONS BEHIND OPEN GATHERING IN 2015 Migrant Action Trust helps migrants and refugees to settle in New Zealand. It offers support from the moment migrants arrive, and continues to help them become fully integrated into New Zealand society. The facilities and services are run by migrants for migrants.

Tahanang Pilipino Aotearoa Trust is a registered trust in New Zealand dedicated to serve Filipinos living in New Zealand through community-oriented programs that will strengthen relationships among Filipinos and with the bigger Kiwi society; and preserve and promote Philippine culture, values and heritage for the betterment of New Zealand

TawagAwit is a Catholic Ministry spreading God's Word through music and other acts of love.

It is based in Auckland, New Zealand. Each chapter is parish-based. It aims to establish chapters in as many parishes as there are in the world. It has chapters in Auckland and Taupo.

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Making Christmas merry for new migrants OG is supported by:

OG would like to thank all the generous individuals who have given support to this event of caring, sharing and giving to new migrants. Without your help, OG would not have happened. May you have a blessed celebration of Christmas and the New Year.

Sounds by:

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