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HISTORY The
late Archbishop Felixberto C. Flores, D.D. saw the need for an Archdiocese social
ministry and saw the right person to make this a reality in the person of Fr.
David I.A. Quitugua. He requested Fr.
David to become a member of the United States Catholic Conference. Concurrently, he invited the Sisters of
Good Shepard to come to Guam to make an assessment of what social services
the community would need and to implement programs to address these needs. In
1975, a flood of Vietnamese refugees was staged at Camp Asan pending their
processing as refugees to the United States of America. Fr. David was assigned by the Archbishop
to organize, implement and supervise the resettlement of Vietnamese Refugees
who were homeless and jobless. He was
appointed as Pastor of the St. Anthony Parish a month after. The Sisters of Good Shepard was assigned
to Saint Anthony Parish to work under Fr. David’s office to accomplish their
ministry. Fr.
David was approached in 1979 by Mr. San Nicholas from the Dept. of Mental
Health and Substance Abuse to encourage him to apply for a grant that would
provide a drop-in center for persons who were dependent on drug and
alcohol. The organization would have
to be a registered non-profit organization in order to receive federal
funds. Assisted by Attorney Ramon
Diaz the application and documents were prepared and submitted to the Dept.
of Revenue and Taxation to become a non-profit organization. CSS was officially recognized as a
non-profit organization on March 1979 and the door was opened for services on
September 1979. The
approval saw enabled the opening of the ISA Drop-In Center. Other programs were added as the
Government of Guam out sourced programs.
The Sisters of Good Shepard played an important role as they opened
and operated the Alee I Shelter for victims of family violence. They also added Alee I foster care
home. The second Director for CSS
was Sister Anita Kristofco and later on replaced by Mrs. Cerila M. Rapadas. |
Nestled in
the foothills of Barrigada Heights in Guam overlooking the tourist center of
Guam, Tumon Village, the elderly clients quietly enjoy their twilight years
either living with dignity in apartments specially assigned for them or being
busy in their adult day care activities.
The Catholic Social Service compound also holds the administrative
offices of other programs serving the elderly, homeless, persons with
disabilities and others in need. Catholic
Social Service serves the poor, the elderly and disadvantaged families and
individuals for the entire island Guam.
CSS is a non-profit, non-stock Social Services Agency serving all
races, creeds and ages. We are a
community organization dedicated to the belief that each human being is of
infinite value and dignity and deserving of an opportunity to develop his/her
greatest potential, intellectually, economically, spiritually and socially. As of
2004, Catholic Social Service and operates over 14 programs. Over 200 dedicated staff assist
individuals and families under these programs. CSS is a member of the national organization, Catholic
Charities USA. As
Archbishop of Agana, Archbishop Anthony S. Apuron, OFM Cap., D.D.,is the
Chairman of the Board and Trustees of Catholic Social Service. As CSS Executive Director, Mrs. Cerila M.
Rapadas is the First Vice-President of the Board of Directors and
Trustees. Sister Callista Camacho,
RSM is the Deputy Director. |
