OUR LADY OF THE MOST HOLY ROSARY CATHEDRAL
DIPOLOG CITY
Old but young--that’s one way of describing
the church in Dipolog City. Turning a century-old in 1996, it possesses
traits characteristics of a traditional church. The mandated organizations
like the Apostleship of Prayer which is ten years older than the parish,
are very much in place providing string support to the parish. The
Eucharist is celebrated regularly anywhere, not only in the church and
chapels but also in schools, office and public market. Popular devotions,
like the dawn rosary flourish. Processions are well-participated and
fiestas are vigorously celebrated.
However, a re-orientation of
the parochial vision and sense of mission had taken place. The religious
organizations have been assigned specific areas of social apostolate.
Devotional activities have been modified to be more in line with new
trends in social services and developments. Seminars are not only about
faith (Bible, church, Christian Doctrines) but also about present burning
issues (environmental concerns, poverty, malnutrition, etc.). Child-care
and nutrition program have been added to the traditional catechism.
Moreover, media has been
utilized to air programs dealing with catechism, family life apostolate,
charismatic movement and catholic faith in dialogue. With the assistance
of the Diocesan Social Action, cooperatives among farmers and fisherman
have been set-up in order to undertake income-generating projects.
Barangays chapel leaders have been encouraged to formulate with other
members policies to awaken the communitarian consciousness among the
people.
These are some ways that the
church in Dipolog is making real the BEC (Basic Ecclesial Program) Program
of the diocese. Being in an urban setting, the parish led by Msgr. Esteban
C. Gaudicos, has tried to be creative in its modification and
implementation of the program. The road has been a struggle but not in
vain. In age, the parish is nearing 100 years. But in spirit, it is
forever young.
The Society of Jesus provided
the first parish priest of Dipolog. But the Order of Augustinian
Recollects built the first “convento”. They were then serving the parish
of Lubungan (the present Katipunan) to which Dipolog belonged. The
“convento” became a Jesuit Residence in 1870 upon their return to their
old Mindanao mission after their expulsion a century earlier. The Jesuit
Jose Villaclara became the first parish priest. From him until the
parochial administration was handed on to diocesan clergy, more than
fifteen Spanish, American and Filipino Jesuits served Dipolog as pastors
or parochial vicars.
Providently, a Dipolognon and a Jesuit-trained diocesan priest took the
stewardship of Dipolog from the Jesuits. Fr. Nicasio Patangan led his
flock for twenty-seven years, from 1940 thorugh World War II until the
creation of the diocese in 1967. When Bishop Felix Zafra took over the
administration of the parish, he managed it directly until Fr. Ubaldo
Basoc became the Rector of the Cathedral in 1980. Today, Very Rev.
Gregorio Canonigo is the Cathedral Rector and Rev. Fr. Atilano Taba and
Rev. Fr. Nathaniele A. Denlaoso are assisting him.
Even years before Dipolog
became a parish; Our Lady of the Rosary has been its main patroness. At
the beginning of this century, however, the people began to place
themselves also under the care of Saint Vincent Ferrer after attributed to
his intercession the miraculous end and their cure from a cholera
epidemic. (1903).
The church building is a
fitting symbol for the church in Dipolog. Started to be built in 1893, it
has undergone various renovations. Lately, the altar has been
reconstructed. Marbles are used to modernized and make it firm. But it is
re-designed according to its original form.
Old but not worn-out.
Traditional but not antiquated. Young and progressive. That’s the church
in Dipolog as she continue t mature the vineyard of the Lord!
SAINT
JOSEPH SPOUSE OF MARY PARISH
Galas, Dipolog City
The
barangay of Galas can spell out victory or defeat to any one. It is one
of the barangays of the city of Dipolog quite densely populated.
St. Joseph, the Spouse of the
Blessed Virgin is the patron Saint of its inhabitants. Through the
consolidated efforts of the believers, the chapel was built along the
national highway.
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SAINT JOSEPH SPOUSE
OF MARY CHURCH |
Under the pastoral care of the
Most Rev. Felix S. Zafra, then Bishop and parish priest of the cathedral
parish, the chapel of Saint Joseph was given a monthly schedule of the
Eucharistic celebration. Rev. Fr. Jesus B. Tuquib, now Archbishop of
Cagayan de Oro, actively organized the people. Different seminars were
given and proper orientations to chapel leaders were provided. The seed
of faith started to flourish.
Desirous to become independent
from the cathedral, the mother parish, the faithful continually nurture
their faith through the able-support of so many priests like Fr. Hamilcar
Blanco, Msgr. Salvador Mora, Fr. Jaime Pardnada, Fr. Luis Lapinid, Fr.
Expedito Caermate, Fr. Malaquias Fuerzas, and so many others.
It is a parish now and is
administered and taken cared by Msgr. Emigdio Socias, V.G. and Rev. Fr.
Beltran Patangan.
SAINT
JOHN NEUMANN PARISH
Sicayab, Dipolog City
The Parish of St. John Neumann is young.
It was created only ten years ago, on June 19, 1982. But it is filled with
promise, making its parishioners vibrant and alive faith. They have
articulated their vision: total human development through the formation
of basic ecclesial communities that they life and have it abundantly.
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SAINT JOHN NEUMANN
CHURCH |
This is a tall order. But the people, led
by their pastor, Msgr. Alfredo P. Ganason gradually realize their goal;
the parish has joined the forces of the existing mandated organizations
and charismatic groups with the new perpetual dawn rosary movement into
building BECs. Seminars intended to develop lay leaders; minister and
catechists are regularly conducted. On-going formation is also extended to
couples, families and the youth for the purpose of discovering and
inculcating in themselves proper gospel and cultural values. Recently,
cooperatives have been introduced into the BEC based set-up to bring about
a truly human development which is total.
Definitely, St. John Neumann Church has
grown and will continue to bloom, thanks to Msgr. Fred and to the previous
pastors, Msgr. Engracio Rivera, Fr. Gregorio Canonigo, Jr., Fr. Arnold
Caboverde, Fr. Cedric L. Adriatico Fr. Enrico V. Montano, Msgr. Emigdio
Socias, Fr. Arnulfo Suarez and Fr. Bonifacio Alcantara. |
