On the first Saturday of January, 30 years ago, the Blessed Mother appeared to Adelia in Chittering for the first time.

From Adelia's writing on that day:

"We have followed the stream, as the Blessed Virgin told us to do some time ago and have stopped at this place because we saw the statue of the Virgin of the Revelation on the wall near the gate. We meet here to pray the Rosary, with the permission of the owners. Father will not celebrate Holy Mass today. I read the words the Blessed Mother gave us last month. We begin the Rosary."

While we were not able to have Mass on that first Saturday, today, 30 years later, we rejoice for permission was given to offer Mass in the One Heart Chapel in Chittering, in thanksgiving to God for His works of mercy through the Blessed Mother, Adelia, and One Heart Association.

Between 27 – 30 May 2017, a delegation of five One Heart committee members visited the Philippines with the main purpose of attending the blessing ceremony for the Duyan ni Maria orphanage.

During the trip, the committee visited the old orphanage. One member also donated clothing and toys for the children. Despite the poor conditions of the old orphanage, Sister Alex was all smiles and said to One Heart, “I am so happy…I feel like a millionaire because everything that I ask God for, He provides.”
The delegation also met with the Angeles University Foundation and they confirmed receipt of hospital equipment that One Heart helped to facilitate delivery.

On 28 May, the delegation attended the official opening ceremony of the new Duyan ni Maria orphanage. Further information on the ceremony can be found here.

After the ceremony, two friends of One Heart — who had also joined One Heart on the visit — pledged financial support to help with purchasing a vehicle to transport the children to and from school. A One Heart committee member also promised to match this pledge.

The visit was blessed and many graces were drawn from it, both for the One Heart members and the children, for whom all this work is ultimately for.

For further information on One Heart Association and how you can contribute to its work, click here.

On 28 May 2017, a delegation of five One Heart committee members had the pleasure of attending the official opening ceremony of the Duyan ni Maria orphanage in Pampanga, Philippines.

Through the particular wishes of Adelia Bernard, before her passing, One Heart became a founding contributor and supporter of the building of the orphanage. One Heart contributed a large portion of the initial funds, and sought to connect relevant parties to Duyan ni Maria to drive the commencement and continuation of the project.

Many thanks go to One Heart stalwarts, Norman Bernard, and Mario and Maria Valente for their drive to see this work commenced and progressed. Thanks also go to all One Heart members who contributed their time and financial support to accomplish this great work of charity.

The opening ceremony was an auspicious and joyous celebration. Hundreds attended the event, including two Bishops as well as various members of other contributing charities, and individual supporters.

The event was opened with a blessing from Bishop Iniges, followed by speeches from a number of people, then a song and dance from some of the Duyan ni Maria children. After the celebration at the new orphanage, the attendees adjourned for lunch at a nearby motel. During lunch, the mayor visited and pledged his support to Sister Alex, if she ever required it.

President Mario Valente said, “It was a wonderful day and One Heart were very blessed to finally see the vision of this work come to pass. There is more to be done, and with the current organisers spearheading this, One Heart is confident that the children will see a brighter future.”

For further information on One Heart Association and how you can contribute to its work, click here.

P.S. — On 27 August 2017, the children moved into their beautiful new facility with tiled floors. Norm Bernard of One Heart reports that it was wonderful to see their smiles and exuberance as they danced and played at the comprehension that this was their new home to sleep in, showers in, and have a proper twentieth century toilet, instead of the primitive alternatives in their previous facility.

One Heart wishes to thank everyone who kindly donated their funds, time and their prayers that allowed this moment to finally happen.  And of course, we praise and thank god for His help in completing this important project.

Members of One Heart met and spent time with the residents, following which the members led the residents in singing Christmas carols. The afternoon finished with tea and snacks, as well as the distribution of presents provided by the association.

A delegation of the One Heart Association visited the Philippines this week and met with a number of stakeholders for the Duyan ni Maria orphanage. The start of construction is imminent as the architect — who is managing the works at no cost to the project on behalf of Duyan ni Maria — awaits the connection of water and electricity to the site. The architect has refuses to receive any official recognition for the generous work he his doing for the sisters and the orphans. We pray that God grants further blessings upon him for this generous contribution.

The delegation also met with the Angeles University Foundation, who are expecting to receive the latest 40-foot container of hospital equipment from both the recently closed Swan District hospital in Midland and Hollywood Private Hospital in Nedlands. To our surprise, as a result of their great generosity, they have pledged to help with the completion of the orphanage, including providing new furniture for the project.

We also met with the donor of the land for the orphanage, who very kindly donated the land (along with his brother and family in the US). We hope that the Monsignor will provide a role model for the boys as they grow up. We also met with Dr Bustos of the new Our Lady of Mt Carmel Medical Centre in Clark, who has pledged his services for looking after the health of the children in the new orphanage.

We wish to thank Norm and Lyn Bernard for their hospitality this week, in housing and feeding us etc and for providing a driver and vehicle to take us wherever we needed to go.

The visit has been very rewarding spiritually for the delegation as they have seen the great generosity of spirit of many Filipino people and organisations. We pray that they Lord may bless them and look kindly upon them.

 See the Charitable Works page for more information on the two projects

A memorial mass will be held for Mrs Adelia Bernard, founder of One Heart Association, on Sunday 10 November 2013. The mass will celebrate the life of Mrs Bernard and is open to all who wish to pay their respects. Full details are as follows:

• Date and time: 10 November 2013 beginning at 12 noon

• Location: Holy Name Catholic Church, 54 Solar Way, Carlisle WA 6101
  

Drinks and coffee will be served after the mass. Please bring a plate of your choice to share.

7 September 2013 was the first Saturday of the month and once again members from the One Heart gathered for Mass at Chittering. It is the first time we came together following Adelia’s passing on 16 August 2013. Adelia would have been thrilled with the turn out of the faithful, and the love and affection each holds for the other has grown stronger. More than ever there is a commitment to the continuing of the work she started. Fr Gregory celebrated the Mass, lead us in the rosary and read the Message from February last year. Tanya read the notices and members of the Gomes family read during Mass. 

On 16 July 2013 One Heart invited its children to attend a special Mass of thanksgiving for having been graced by the presence of the Blessed Mother of Jesus. The mass was held in St John of God Chapel in Subiaco.

Unfortunately, due to Adelia's failing health, she was unable to attend. However, she wrote a letter addressed to the children, which was read towards the end of the Mass. The contents of the letter are reproduced below.