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Maturana Sisters ask for Rotary’s help
Debris from the damaged Youth Center inside the Maturana House of Prayer compound litter the ground. (Jon Perez)
The Maturana House of Prayer hosts a lot of events and programs not only for Catholics but also for other Christian groups in the community. The facility, which also doubles as the retirement home for members of the Mercedarian Missionaries of Bérriz, was among the establishments that suffered heavy damage after Typhoon Soudelor last year.
That’s why House of Prayer director Sisters Maris Stella Ifenuk, MMB, and Martha Ramarui, MMB, asked the Rotary Club of Saipan to help them in rebuilding some of the facilities when the super typhoon hit Saipan in August last year.
“The Maturana House of Prayer is also open to other Christian denominations which want to use it for prayer, meetings, and other workshops. Our main ministry is holding youth programs, retreat, and workshops,” Ramarui said in Tuesday’s Rotary meeting held at Hyatt Regency Saipan’s Giovanni’s restaurant.
“I, Sr. Stella, and some of the younger nuns were busy cleaning up the debris after the storm. And Sr. Stella was the one who is in charge of fundraising activities,” said Ramarui, who added that the Youth Center and storage room were some of damaged facilities.
The MMB sisters are also baking bread and donuts and make coconut oil and ice cups just to help raise funds for materials and repair of facilities.
“That’s why we are asking for Rotary’s help since we’re not eligible to receive funding from [the Federal Emergency Management Agency] We will gladly accept any amount or in kind donation,” said Ifenuk.
“Repairs, salaries of the workers, and equipment like chairs and tables are some of our immediate needs. We provide activities, not only for the youth, but also for couples preparing for marriage and spiritual ministry for the Alcoholics Anonymous on Saipan,” Ifenuk added.
Rotary members where quick to answer, with Rotarian Mario Valentino asking the sisters to provide a list of what they need. Rotarian Agnes McPhetres also suggested that hotels like the Hyatt can give them beds, beddings, and other furniture when they change their the said things.
The Rotary also donated money they collected from their members on the spot.
