By Lori Anne Oliwa | Correspondent

Many of the area’s faithful gathered Jan. 31 in St. Mary Mother of God Church, Middletown, to remember the victims of Typhoon Haiyan, a storm of unmatched magnitude that struck the Philippines Nov. 8, 2013.

The Mass of Remembrance, a moving tribute in words and music for those impacted by the disaster, was conceived by Doris Ramme, administrator of the music ministry, and parishioner Dr. Loreta Uy-Pekarsky, a member of the parish choir who hails from the town of Tacloban, Philippines, the area directly hit by the wrath of the storm surge. Father Joseph Noche, pastor of Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, Hainesport, and a former parochial vicar of St. Mary Parish, celebrated the Mass.

United through prayer and love for their brothers and sisters in the Philippines, many in the congregation were moved to tears by the vocal performances and instrumental solos as they remembered the victims and survivors left to reclaim their lives in the face of unprecedented devastation and destruction.

During his homily, Father Noche acknowledged the power of prayer as a never-ending source of strength and renewal and recognized the pain and suffering endured by the Filipino people. He emphasized, however, that through their example of resilience and faith, a message of hope would resonate and encourage others to strive for the same commitment to God’s providence. “At the heart of our lives tonight, our memories rest on the victims of Typhoon Haiyan. We believe that in offering a Mass of Remembrance for them, the most powerful assistance is given. We thank God for our Filipino brothers and sisters who are a great example and witness of hope,” Father Noche said.

Dr. Uy-Pekarsky, who is known simply as ‘Mimi’ to her friends and is married to parishioner Hank Pekarsky, addressed the congregation and spoke about her calling to perform medical missions to the storm-ravaged country. She said she believes God spared her life through her marriage to Hank as the ceremony and celebrations changed her original travel plans. Those plans would have taken her to the Philippines on the day of the storm. Unfortunately, Uy-Pekarsky lost a cousin and her family home to the 30-foot wall of water that descended upon her hometown of Tacloban. Now, Uy-Pekarsky is committed to using her skills as a physician to heal others. “The country is completely isolated from the rest of the world. Only 10 percent of the country has electricity, and so many are suffering with broken limbs and other life-threatening injuries along with diseases and viruses,” she added.

Scheduled to depart for the Philippines on Feb. 8 with a group of physicians affiliated with Bukas Loob Sa Diyos-Newark (BLD-Newark), a Christian Covenant community supported by the Archdiocese of Newark, Dr. Uy-Pekarsky will remain in the country after the first mission and will then conduct a second medical mission from Feb. 22-25. She is funding that mission with personal funds and received assistance from a special collection taken during the Mass. Anyone interested in donating funds to assist Dr. Uy-Pekarsky is encouraged to contact St. Mary Parish at (732) 671-0071. All funds will be directly dedicated to the purchase of medical supplies and medications.