Mindanao Bishops Conference Named as One of Three Beneficiaries in Annual Advent Service in Germany

The Mindanao Lumad Ministry of the Mindanao Bishops Conference was named as one of the three beneficiaries of the Traditional Service of Nine Lessons and Carols organized by St. Catherine’s Anglican Chaplaincy in Stuttgart, Germany. The service was held at the Leonardskirche as part of the chaplaincy’s annual Advent tradition.

The Mindanao Lumad Ministry was not part of the organization or conduct of the service, but was included among the recipients of the collection in recognition of its continuing work among Indigenous Peoples in Mindanao. This connection was made through the current Chaplain of St. Catherine’s, who also maintains pastoral and advocacy links with the Mindanao Bishops Conference and its ministries in the Philippines.

Alongside the Mindanao Bishops Conference Programme for Indigenous Peoples, the other beneficiaries of the collection were Al‑Ahli Hospital, which provides critical medical services amid conflict, and Café Strich‑Punkt, a local initiative supporting people in vulnerable situations in Stuttgart. Together, the three recipients reflect a shared concern for communities facing hardship, whether in local, regional, or international contexts.

The Service of Nine Lessons and Carols, a cherished tradition within the Church of England, brings together scripture, music, and prayer to proclaim hope in the midst of darkness. For St. Catherine’s Anglican Chaplaincy, this annual service is also a concrete expression of Christian charity, as the proceeds are intentionally dedicated each year to projects serving those most in need.

The Mindanao Lumad Ministry expresses its gratitude to St. Catherine’s Anglican Chaplaincy for this consistent witness of faith in action. The inclusion of the Mindanao Bishops Conference among the beneficiaries serves as a reminder that the struggles of Indigenous Peoples in Mindanao are not forgotten, and that their cause continues to be held in prayer and solidarity by faith communities beyond the Philippines.