A prayer for the New Year

Lord, with a grateful heart, we come to You today to thank You for all the things that You have brought into our lives the past 365 days of the year 2014.

We bow down and kneel before You, O Lord, and praise You as the Way, the Truth, and the Life, a forgiving and merciful Father that You are.

Grant us the grace of a deeply repentant heart. Forgive us for all the times that we have been so selfish and proud, for the things that we have said and done which may have hurt others, for doing the things which were not in accordance with Your teachings. Pardon us, Lord, for all our sins and shortcomings.

Lord, thank you for the good life - good health, good food, good friends, good tidings, good cheers. Thank you for all the times that You have been there for us through our family and friends who stood by us in good times or in bad.

Lord, we ask for Your graces and blessings as we start another year, and as we continue and go on with life's many journeys. We offer to You our children: Guide them in their daily activities, never allow them to be separated from You. We offer to You our family: Grant us good health and guide us in our directions and decisions in life. Let there always be love, peace, and harmony in our home. Help us to treat everyone fairly and justly regardless of who they are. Remind us always to have good thoughts, to say good words, and to do good deeds. But most of all, to be humble all the days of our lives as we are all but passing visitors on this earth. In all these, Lord, always remind us of Your love, and from that love, help us to build and live life with You in our hearts and minds. For always. At all times.

Lord, help us to start the new year right, with You as the center of our lives today, tomorrow, and the coming days of the year 2015. All these we ask in the mighty name of Jesus Christ our Lord and God's Holy Spirit. Amen.

Uncollected senior citizens' financial aid

After a few days, some senior citizens are reported in the local newspapers to have not received their financial aid from the Cebu City government.

The total amount unpaid to senior citizens runs to millions of pesos and is subsequently returned to the general fund.

I suggest that the number of days between the scheduled payment to senior citizens and the return to the general fund be extended to give a chance to those who were unable to collect their financial assistance. Furthermore, I suggest that the city treasurer furnish each barangay a list of senior citizens who were unable to collect their share. The list furnished each barangay must be conspicuously posted in the barangay hall. The barangay chairman shall exert all efforts to contact the senior citizens concerned. Usually the notice of financial aid to be released to them is done through the local newspapers.

The financial assistance means a lot to the elderly for the purchase of medicines and other needs.

So please, city treasurer, endeavor all available means that each citizen receives his share of the assistance.

Bernardo V. Peralta, CPA