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Filipino Community Prays For Typhoon Haiyan Victims, Recovery

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) --  The Filipino community flocked to a Queens church Sunday to pray for the victims of Typhoon Haiyan.

The storm has hit close to home for many Flipinos praying at a special Mass at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Flushing -- some of whom have lost relatives, other who cannot reach their loved ones in the Philippines.

"We also proclaim the virtue of hope," Bishop Paul Sanchez told 1010 WINS' Gary Baumgarten. "It's very difficult for people to sometimes hear that, but it's certainly the message that we believe in. We know that God is with us through good times and bad times."

Filipino Community Prays For Typhoon Haiyan Victims, Recovery

Sanchez said faith is woven into the fabric of Filipinos' lives.

"They have a beautiful hymn that goes something like, when there seems to be no way, God will find a way, which kind of captures their faith and devotion," he said.

Filipino Community Prays For Typhoon Haiyan Victims, Recovery

"It's bringing community together to help each other and cope with the loss of a lot of people," one worshiper told WCBS 880's Jim Smith.

Father Patrick Longalong, coordinator for the Diocese of Brooklyn's Filipino Apostolate, said the Mass was not just for St. Michael's parishioners.

Photos: Typhoon Haiyan

"We have a lot of people in the Tri-State Area -- not just in Queens -- that have lost a loved one," he said.

The powerful Nov. 8  typhoon killed 3,974 people, according to official estimates, and left about 1,200 others missing.

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