History of Our Lady of Fatima Parish

In the early 1900’s particularly during the second and third decades when its abaca industry, successfully perused by the Japanese, was in boom, people from all walks of life all over the country were lured to Davao by tales of good economic opportunities. All sorts of people came to settle farmers, fishermen, traders, professionals and just plain common settlers, Salmonan, Piapi and Bucana Areas, Being along the shore and near the main thorough fares of the emerging city, were among the most popular places to settle in.

After the liberation of Davao from the Japanese forces in 1945, Fr. Conrad Cole, PME used to visit the area encouraged the residents to unite and build a church. The first chapels were San Guillermo organized in 1929, San Isidro, San Pedro and San Vicente. Holy Masses were celebrated during fiestas and meetings at the San Guillermo chapel, the most frequent mass celebrant was Fr. Gudose Gagnon, PME. The priest would encourage the people to be parish conscious and to form themselves into an association.

The first organizational meeting was held at the upper floor of the now burned Cosmopolitan Funeral Parlor at the Corner of Guerrero and Villa Abrille Streets. Many residents attended, Bishop Thibault, PME who together with Fr. Ganon was present during the meeting, told the people that the purpose of their organization was to build a parish church. The group called itself the Piapi District Catholic Association and elected the following officers; Buenventura Babao-president, Levi Damaso-vice president, Feliciano Ramos-secretary and Simon Adaptar-treasurer.

Top priority in the agenda of the meeting was the pinpointing of the Church site. A certain Sgt. Cortez suggested a location. Immediately after the meeting, the people went to the proposed site, an area bounded by the present Aurora Quezon, Fatima and Guerrero Streets, which at the time, was all water and mangrove trees since the only existing road then was Quezon Boulevard constructed during President Quezon’s time.

Fr. Gagnon, in consultation with the Bishop approved the church site. Problems arose because some residents had also staked their claims to the swampy area, but these were subsequently settled. The Religious of Virgin Mary or RVM sisters occupied a portion of the Church site.

In 1952 the Piapi District Catholic Association was subsequently elevated to a parish.

On February 11, 1953, the first Mass was celebrated by Fr. Lionelle Labelle, PME in the newly finished wooden church, its patroness was the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Life in the parish started to settle down, but the people however, ever restive because they wanted a name for their parish that was better known than the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The chapel leaders naturally wanted the names of their patron saints to be carried by the parish. To resolve the impasse, Fr. Gagnon asked the people if they would allow him to choose a name. They agreed. He proposed Our Lady of Fatima because she is the Mother of Jesus and the greatest of saints. They accepted his proposal.

In 1956, Fr. Gerard Dube, PME was installed as the first parish priest, it was under his guidance that the name of the parish was formally changed to Our Lady of Fatima with its feast day celebrated on the Sunday nearest to October 13.

The Second Parish Priest of Fatima was Fr. Marcel Lavoie, PME who was the first priest to start sleeping in the convent in the early part of 1964. It was he who was charged with the responsibility of constructing the cement church. His predecessor Fr. Dube had saved for the construction of the church, however the money was not enough, so Fr. Lavoie declared, “We will build the church from the contribution of the people.”

The church was completed in 1968, and it became a landmark in Davao.

The third pastor of Fatima parish was Fr. Herve Gutreau, PME. His term began in 1974 and lasted until 1986 with a two year interruption in 1980 to 1982 by the fourth parish priest Fr. Conrad Latortune, PME.

In May of 1986, Fr. Donat Baril, PME became the firth and last PME pastor of the parish. It was during his time that the Gamayng Krisohanong Katilingban were organized through the celebration of the Kasulugan sa Pulong and the formation of the Pangulo sa Liturhiya at the chapel level.

In May 1988, another memorable pastoral event occurred. The leadership of the parish was turned over from the PME Fathers to the Diocesan Clergy of Davao. Msgr. Bonifacio L. Burlaza, SThD became the sixth parish priest and the first Diocesan Pastor of the Parish.

Under his direction, the chapel GKKs were strengthened and reorganized into thirteen zones from the original six zones for better administration and supervision.

In June 1994, the parish turned yet another milestone with the appointment of it second Diocesan parish priest Fr. Pedro P. Lamata. Consultation and transparency became the by words of the new parish administration. During the first two years consultations were held among the GKKs and center organizations movements and apostolates.

On June 2000 to June 2006, the Parish Administration was entrusted to Fr. Alfeo G. Botero, DCD. He became the third Diocesan Parish Priest of Our Lady of Fatima Parish. Since the church was administered by the PME Fathers eighteen years ago.

On June 2006 to June 2012 here comes Fr. Emmanuel ‘Bong’ Gonzaga the forth Diocesan Parish Priest of Our Lady of Fatima. He also guided with principles of Pastoral Care and love for the people.

For a short period of time comes Fr. Vic Candia followed by Fr Jojo Ortiz who served the parish for a short time.

And now here comes our New Diocesan Parish Priest Fr. Henry Campeon a good shepherd given by God. A pastor in the parish, his compassion for the poor and the needy, initiated moves in accordance to the arising needs and priorities of the church as a people of God. (Clara Amper | Ella Fatima Deang)