A Message From Our Founder

Mga Kababayan

It was on November 10, 2002 when Fr David Hartley and I thought of inviting some Filipino nurses to an informal gathering. The purpose was to consider the growing number of Filipinos in Oxfordshire and how we might organise ourselves to enhance Filipino culture and values for those of us away from our home country. Many were invited and twelve attended. We discussed how we could initiate something to bring local Filipinos together, promote community spirit and grow support for one another.

Of course it was not easy to organize a community like this. There were understandable difficulties, such as general fatigue, absence from families and, in my case, my being apart from my religious community. Also there were sleepless nights, shifts and premium payments lost by people making the effort to attend meetings and undertake planning. We made sacrifices for this. However, we also had fun! In the process, friendships were developed; talents and potentials discovered; commitment deepened; leadership enhanced and community spirit blossomed.

Mga Kababayan, don't forget our being Filipinos! We will keep our positive values, support one another and our Filipino Community of Oxfordshire. Aim for unity for us all while we are away from home. Filipinos as we are, though, we must also learn to befriend and integrate with the British people, support and attend local churches and we must understand local customs and culture. Moreover, we can all be missionaries in our own simple ordinary ways by keeping, spreading and, most especially, by living our faith.

Mabuhay ang ating Filipino Community of Oxfordshire!

Sister Clare Joseph
Founder
Filipino Community of Oxfordshire

A message from our Chairman