On August 18, 2015, Sr. Evangelina Canag and Sr. Rose Agtarap, together with Mia Ongsiapco, a Pauline Cooperator, conducted an introductory Bible seminar to the parishioners of San Pablo Apostol in Tondo, Manila. The parish is run by Canossian priests and the majority of their parishioners are from the garbage dumping sites: Happy Land, Aroma, Tambakan, etc. Leaders of the Basic Ecclesial Communities, most of them mothers, came for an afternoon of Bible Study, Lectio Divina and prayer. This meant giving up what they could have earned scavenging, peddling or doing odd jobs.
For many of them, it was a thrill to hold the bible in their hand for the first time, search for a Gospel passage, and read the holy words. When the Bibles were blessed and given to each of them, a grateful but timid, old lady asked if it is OK to donate five pesos. She said it is the only money she has, but she also wants to share with others. A simple snack and drinks were offered to the participants but majority of them did not eat. They said they will just bring it home so the whole family can all partake of the food.
