About the Founder: Maria Christine Sacay Gabuya-Brown
By: Janet Oliver
Maria Christine Sacay Gabuya-Brown is definitely blessed. This is obvious because something special radiates from her. She is still humble though, and is always thinking of what she can do for others.
Christine grew up in the Philippines and began her apostolic works when she was 10 years old at Sto. Tomas de Villa Nueva Parish of Pardo, Cebu City. She was active in the Summer Catechist program, teaching bible study to younger children. At 12 years old, she pledged to be pure and devoted herself to the Blessed Virgin Mary of Lourdes. At 13 years old, she was one of an elite group who pioneered the Catholic Youth Ministry Service, which is still active today.
In 1987, Christine moved to the United States, where she met Cory Scott Brown, of Sonoma, California. They were married two years later, and in 1993, Christine and Cory were blessed with a son, Scott Thomas. A year later, daughter Sarah Milann was born. When Sarah was in Kindergarten, Christine started Brown’s Family Daycare in her home. Then in 2004, she incorporated the business to include a pre-school. The daycare really does involve the whole family. In addition to Christine and Cory, both of their parents and Cory’s brother are all involved in the day-to-day activities.
Both Scott and Sarah have attended St. John’s Catholic School since Kindergarten. Scott is an altar server and Sarah is in the choir of their church. Scott and Sarah are also very active in extra-curricular activities. The whole family is active in community services. During the holidays, they adopt families where they provide meals, presents and money for each family on Christmas Day. At Thanksgiving, they donate turkeys, canned goods, warm clothes and toys to the Salvation Army, and help serve dinner to the homeless. The Brown family allows other children to play sports by sponsoring their membership fees and uniforms They also sponsor a Napa Little League baseball team and Napa Saints Football & Cheerleading Team.
The endeavor of launching The Filipino-American Magtinabangay (Helping Each Other) Foundation, has given Chrisitne new creative energy. Christine knows how important it is for a child to start life healthy. The way a child develops physically, mentally and socially determines the rest of that child’s life.
“Although I’ve been living in the United States for over 20 years, I grew up in Cebu City, in the Philippines. I still have many friends and family in Cebu that I stay in contact with. I am very aware of the ongoing poverty and hardships the children there have to endure.
My goal is to take a proactive stance in making people aware of the tremendous need to improve the lives of these unfortunate Filipino children. I need to enlist the support of others in the United States. The children are our future. By improving their lives, we improve the whole world.
It is very easy to ignore things we don’t actually see. We get wrapped up in our busy lives and focus only on our immediate family and surroundings. Thinking on a more global level, we are all God’s children, and it is our responsibility to help each other.”
Christine considers herself very fortunate to have a group of Personal Spiritual Advisors and Consultants.
Rt. Rev. Msgr. Roberto F. Alesna, P.A., E.V.
- Chairman of the Commission on Service of the Archdiocese of Cebu
- Parish Priest of the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, Cebu City
Rev. Fr. Bonaventure Maria Valles, FI
- Superior Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate-Brazilian Mission, Brazil
- Parish Priest of St. John the Baptist in the Diocese of Annapolis, Goias Brazil
Rev. Fr. Trinidad Silva Jr., VF
- Chairman of the Commission on Social Communications of the Archdiocese of Cebu
- Parish Priest of San Nicolas Parish, Cebu City
Rev. Msgr. Pastor Espinosa Cotiangco
- Resident Priest of the Mother of the Redeemer Parish, Cogon, Ormoc City
Sr. Nieves P. Robillos, SFCC
- Founder and President of Golden Heart Foundation, Inc., San Carlos Heights, Brgy. Quiot, Cebu City
No comments:
Post a Comment