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PRAYER CELEBRATION OF THE UPROOTED PEOPLE IN EUROPE Prepared by: Rev. Cesar T. Taguba UCCP Migrant Ministry/Ecumencial Ministry for Filipinos Abroad (EMFA)
(Uprooted People are those who are forced to leave their communities and country; those who flee because of persecution and war, those who are forcibly displaced because of environmental devastation and those who are compelled to seek sustenance in a city or abroad because they cannot economically survive at home. In this sense we, Cordillera People in Europe and abroad are part of the Uprooted People or Modern Day Diaspora).
Gangsa music to signal the start of the prayer celebration.
Call to Worship (Ugayam): Let us remember and be comforted with the words of Jesus who said “where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am in the midst of them..” (Matthew 18:20).
Liturgist (L): We are gathered here in the presence of God, who ask us to choose between life and death, wholeness and blindness. All: We are gathered here like the people of Israel of the Old Testament, who were challenged to choose the way of life. L: Like them, we often follow the way of death. Men: Yet, like them, we have freedom each day to begin anew by the grace of God. Women: Let us rejoice in the Lord for He has opened our eyes and hearts to be in solidarity with each other as Cordillera people and with the more than 800,000 Filipino compatriots in Europe. Let us rejoice in God’s guidance and sustenance as we sacrifice so many things in life just to have a decent and secured future for ourselves and our children. L: In this way, we have enough reason to celebrate, to remember and continuously struggle in order to address the rampant exploitation and oppression of the Uprooted People. All: let us praise God of life and love who has called us to this Assembly of Cordillera People In Europe.
Panawagan ng Pagsimba (Priest/Pastor): Makapangyarihang Diyos/ lahat ng puso ay nakahayag sa Iyo/ narito ang inyong sambayanan/ kaming mga taga Cordillera at mga kababayang Pilipino sa ibayong dagat/ mula Austria, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Scotland, United Kingdom/ at ang aming pamilya at kaibigan. Nagpapasalamat kami/ sa biyayang natatamasa/ at nananalangin magkaroon ng katuparan/ ang aming mga pangarap sa buhay/ at masagana at mapayapang pamumuhay/ sa sambayanang Pilipino. Linisin mo ang aming mga puso/ sa pamamagitan ng inyong Espiritu Santo/ upang kami’y tapat na umibig sa Iyo at sa aming kapwa/ masigasig at masigla/ na pahahanap-buhay/ at tapat sa aming paglilingkod sa Iyo/ at sa aming bayan. Amen.
Song of Praise : Garait (see songsheet)
Lighting of six candles to represent the Uprooted People in Europe namely: migrants/immigrants, refugees, seamen/seafarers, victims of sex trafficking and those who died entering and being deported from “Fortress Europe”and for the martyrs of the struggle for land, life and self-determination in the Cordillera.
Call to Confession: (Priest/Pastor): We have sinned against God and our neighbors. We have failed to concretize God’s love in action. We have been insensitive to the lamentations of the Uprooted People in Europe. Let us seek God’s forgiveness (silence).
Assurance of pardon (Priest/Pastor): God shows His love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. If anyone is in Christ, He is a new creation: the old has passed away; behold the new has come. Almighty God have mercy on us. Create in our hearts a spirit of love and concern. Strengthen us, as we commit ourselves to the care and empowerment of the Uprooted People.
Song: Pananagutan Walang sinuman ang nabubuhay para sa sarili lamang, Walang sinuman ang namamatay, para sa sarili lamang. Koro: Tayong lahat ay may pananagutan sa isa’t isa, Tayong lahat ay tinipon ng Diyos na kapiling niya.
Intercessory Prayers: The worshiping community is encouraged to bring forward prayer requests about our individual and common concerns.
Priest/Pastor: Hear our prayers o Lord, and grant us your peace. I now call on all to turn to your neighbor to extend the greetings/embrace of peace, solidarity and community.
Sign of Hope: All are invited to share a song, poem or symbols, news of how the Uprooted People in Europe are struggling for dignity, justice, recognition and solidarity.
Uprooted People demands (women and men alternately)
All: “We dream of a society where families are not broken up by urgent need for survival. We dream and will actively work for a homeland where there is opportunity for everyone to live a decent and humane life.”
AffirmationL: That we worship one God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, in whose image we are made, to whose service we are summoned. by whose presence we are renewed. All: This we believe. L: That it is God’s will that the world should be saved and not despoiled by transnational corporation plunder; violence, apathy, oppression, pollution or any other mask of human greed. All: This we believe. L: That it is central to the mission of Christ to participate, by word and action in the struggles of the poor for justice, to share justly the earth’s land and resources and social wealth, to rejoice in the diversity of human culture; to preserve human life in all its beauty and frailty, to witness to the love of God for all people of the earth and to invite all to share that converting experience. All: This we believe. L: That through the power of the Holy Spirit, the persecuted shall be lifted up and the wicked will fall, the hesitant prayers and hidden actions of God’s people shall change the course of human history, the ancient words of the Scripture shall startle us with fresh insights. All: This we believe. L: That God has called the church into being, to be servant of the Kingdom, to be the sign of God’s new order, to celebrate in the streets and fields of every land the liturgy of the Kingdom on earth. All: This we believe.
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ACPE Declaration
We, migrants and immigrants from the Cordillera who are residing and working in Europe, have gathered as participants to the Assembly of Cordillera People in Europe (ACPE) with the theme: “Strengthening The Cordillera Community in Europe and Fostering Solidarity With The Cordillera People’s Aspiration for Life, Land and Self-Determination.”
In the spirit of community, solidarity and mutuality, we shared our stories, information, experiences and insights as human beings uprooted from our ancestral and motherland due to the economic, political and social factors beyond our control. We, who are uprooted and scattered, have gathered to share our fears and aspirations as well as our hope and dreams. In the process, we are strengthened and empowered. It is our love for our family and hope for a better future, which compelled us to leave our homeland. It is this same love, which sustains us and keeps alive the dream of returning. For us who gained citizenship, we share the same dream. Our dreams, are time and again, shattered by the discrimination, abuse and humiliation we suffer individually and as a people. With courage, we carry on our work, contributing to the wealth and enrichment of societies in Europe. Fortress Europe opens its borders to the free flow of trade, goods, commodities and investments, but not to migrant labor. We are valued for our cheap labor. Too often our contribution to society is not recognized. At times, we are made to feel powerless. To those who hold political power in the Philippines, we are called “modern heroes” for our multi-billion dollar remittances. Sadly, we feel deep within that we are the “modern slaves” of today. We are saddened that the Cordillera, Philippines where we would like to return to, does not offer much to sustain a decent existence. We mourn, but above all, we organize and mobilize to protect and advance our rights and welfare and to link our sectoral migrant struggle with those of our kababayan back home working to defend land, life and self-determination. It is in standing up for our rights that we affirm our being human. We salute the peoples of Europe for their solidarity. Their struggle for a just, democratic and progressive Europe is ours too. With them, we can dream and work for a migrant-welcoming and friendlier Europe. In ACPE, we adopted a resolution and made decisions to develop further our collective commitment to uphold our human rights and to be part of the larger community of the uprooted people in Europe. We were made to realize our possibilities and responsibilities to our people back home. Our coming together now and in the future is a testimony of our love for life and hope. Recognizing the need to sustain our fellowship, network and commitment, we unanimously agree to meet again for ACPE II.
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