Today, 20 October 2013, His Beatitude Daniel, Patriarch of Romania blessed the Daily Centre for Children of “Kind Stelian” of “Joy of Help” Foundation, Urlati branch.
His Beatitude showed in the sermon delivered that it is not enough for the little ones to be maintained as long as their parents are abroad, because they badly need their parents’ love: “We pray the Mother of God, the Saints Emperors Constantine and Helen, Saint Stelian to give joy both to the children and to those who take care of them. This phenomenon of migration abroad to get jobs created both advantages and disadvantages, so that many families remained with only half of their members, especially children and old people, while those able to work went abroad. Yet, it is not enough to send money home for children because at their age their parents’ love is more precious than money, because they develop spiritually and emotionally too, needing not only material things but also the affective presence of their parents. This is why the daily centres, kindergartens and other forms of social-philanthropic assistance try to create a pleasant atmosphere lest the children feel deserted.”
Rev. Archdeacon Ionut Iordachescu, counsellor within the social – philanthropic department of the Archdiocese of Bucharest spoke, in his turn, about the purpose of “Joy of Help” Foundation: “”Joy of Help” Foundation was set up at the initiative of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel in 2010 with the Archdiocese of Bucharest as unique founder. The purpose of this organisation is to develop social-philanthropic programmes in favour of the persons socially excluded. Urlati branch of “Joy of Help” Foundation which sustains the daily centre for children of “Saint Stelian” was set up in 2012, certain social – philanthropic and educational programmes providing social – educational services to 30 children. The purpose of this centre is to prevent school abandonment, the missionary aspect having been very important and the centre hosting catechetical programmes for children”.
To end with, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel offered Rev Radu Manuel, parish priest of “Saint Archangels” church an icon of Saints Emperors Constantine and Helen.
