Hope Center

Last December 8, 2007, on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, I attended the blessing and launching of the Hope Center. The Hope Center is run by Claretian Communications Foundation, Inc. and is located at the Ground Floor of the Aurora Milestone Tower at 1045 Aurora Blvd., Loyola Heights, Quezon City.

It was a simple but meaningful event. Most Reverend Edward Joseph Adams, Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, led the blessing rites. Fr. Benedict Dilag, CMF, Executive Director of the Claretian Hope Center Foundation, Inc., gave a brief intro and explanation as to the concept of the Hope Center. Fr. Renato Manubag, CMF, Provincial Superior of the Claretian Missionaries in the Philippines, likewise gave an inspirational message.

What is the Hope Center? The Hope Center is a place where people can come together (the youth especially, from the ages of 16 to 35) and be exposed to the Word of God. With the numerous and negative influences all around us, it is fitting to have a venue where individuals can access spiritual books and articles, inspirational audio-visual materials, multi-media and internet services, multi-purpose space, a coffee bar and lounge, a counseling corner, as well as a prayer room.

The Hope Center is open Mondays to Saturdays, from 10am to 7pm. Their phone number is 921-3984. You may contact Karen for more information.

During the blessing, I was touched by the messages that were delivered. Most Reverend Edward Adams talked about how Jesus lives and is with us and that He is our Hope. The Hope Center is a place where young people can come to know Jesus, hear His Word, and develop virtues so that we can become better witnesses to God's love.

It is the vision of the Claretians to establish more Hope Centers all around the country. Fr. Renato Manubag gives a good definition of hope. This is what he said, generally: Hope is not the certainty that things will turn out well in the end. It is the certainty that something will make sense no matter how things turn out.

The Hope Center is a bright, comfortable place where you can feel at peace and just be. I particularly like their tag line: "Feel at home. Feel the hope."

So, what are you waiting for? Do visit the Hope Center today or please inform your young friends and relatives about this. Hope is an important part of our daily lives. With the difficulties that we face, we need to look beyond our present circumstances. We need to remember what Fr. Manubag also said: "There is no blessing, no grace from God without the way of the cross. " It is in the cross and in God's grace that we will be able to closely follow the Lord.