San Antonio de Padua Parish

SAN ANTONIO DE PADUA PARISH was born in 1963 with Fr. George Reid, PME as its first parish priest. With its birth in 1963 came also the founding of Barangay Sang Virgen, Barangay Apostles Club, Legion of Mary, and the spread of catechism in the parish. In 1964, Holy Cross of Agdao was founded.

In 1966, the Lay Leadership Seminar, started by a young PME priest Fr. Deschambault, paved the way towards parishioners’ service to the Church. In 1971, Fr. Eloi Montambault saw their primary need — a church to gather and worship. So with the help of the PME priests, the Papal Nuncio Msgr. Camine Rocco, and the parishioners, a “multipurpose building” was built which served as the church for Sunday Masses and for other big celebrations and as a gym during the weekdays. The Christian Community Development Seminar (CCD) also came to life which helped spread the teachings of Jesus not only to the community of Agdao but also to others because parishioners from Samal, Malatibas, Toril, and Bunawan came to attend the monthly seminars.

The fruit of the CCD was the birth of ADORACION NOCTURNA for men. The CWL was founded and more people joined the CURSILLO. The OND Sisters, headed by Sr. Jojo, came and took care of the Catechism for public schools and for Holy Cross of Agdao. The Sisters also went down to the chapels and organized their youth groups.

In 1975, the Parish Pastoral Council was created through Fr. Guy Poupart. The zoning of the parish came to place which made the activities more alive and fruitful. It was moved to strengthen and solidify the parish. The Thanksgiving Party and yearly reunion of the  Seminarista/Cursillista were started particularly during the feast of the Three Kings.

In the early 80s, the Evangelization Seminars slowly progressed while the Charismatic movement flourished and brought together many parishioners. Through the Charismatic movement Fr. Bob Piche founded the Parish Youth Pastoral Council where the youth became active participants in all the activities of the parish. Jun Consemino became its first President.

In 1986, Fr. Frank Taney, MM, his assistant Fr. Al Botero, and the PPC President Bro. Ponso Bacangallo stood by one decision to build the Pastoral Church. They organized the Fund Raising Committee which exhausted all the means to raise money for the building of the church. Fr. Poupart, Fr. Reid, Fr. Lafortune, Fr. Godbault, and Arch. Msgr. Antonio Ll. Mabutas immediately extended their support. As a result, the parish was able to buy the 6,000 sq.m. lot which was adjacent to HCA and start the renovation of the church.

Significant developments followed during the time of Fr. Max Sarno, who was the first Filipino parish priest of San Antonio and Fr. Botero. The parish ground was cemented, lots adjacent to the Church site were purchased, and the Parish Pastoral Center was built.

In the years that followed, diocesan priests came to serve the parishioners, in the persons of Fr. Bong Gonzaga and Fr. Paul Danganon as parish priests. Today, in its 53rd year, and under the pastoral care of Fr. Leonie España and the Parish Vicar Fr. Anthony Silvosa, San Antonio de Padua has certainly grown in membership, with 79 GKKs to date. San Antonio de Padua Parish will continue to grow as a faithful flock of God should be “worshipping, teaching, and serving” God through each other.
 
We are one in giving our thankfulness and gratitude to all the priests, nuns, and  lay workers from years back up to now for helping San Antonio de Padua Parish in reaching this golden year when we have harvested what we have sown — growth in faith and in love for one another.