Ascension Parish Facilities Development Goes On

“What a good feeling to know that we are all part of the development of our parish! God bless everyone!” (Laura Elmido)

This is one of the many joyful comments posted on facebook by the parishioners upon noticing the changes gradually taking place at the Ascension of the Lord Parish.

Six months ago, the parish embarked on an innovative fund-raising dubbed 2 GiG BC (2 Million Gift to God Before Christmas) to finance the renovation, improvement and completion of the parish facilities. This includes the finishing of the parking lot, completion of the Bishop Tonel Hall amenities, creation of a prayer room for resident priests, and the reconstruction of the frontage ground and perimeter fence.

The goal was to provide the parishioners a safe and aesthetic ambiance conducive to meaningful worship and communion with God.

Today, construction continues steadily and is nearing completion.

The parish now has a spacious parking lot that can accommodate more or less 50 vehicles. Its entrance is at Uranus street and exit is at Ascension road.

The Bishop Julius Tonel Hall now has tables and chairs for each of the three bays. Installation of the sound system and final painting of the walls are yet to follow.

As for the reconstruction of the church’s frontage, the “leaning wall of Ascension” along Saturn street in danger of collapse back then is no more. The parishioners are ensured that it now has a stronger foundation and adequate soil compaction was achieved. Also, what was once a temporary walkway into the church is now a passable road for cars. Its entrance is at Uranus street and exits at Saturn street. The gates will also be fixed. The stairs towards the entrance of the church was renovated and improved to make it wider. After all the ground improvement is finished, the landscape development will come in next.

An additional project which was unannounced was the drainage which had to be upgraded due to the ongoing construction.

Independent from what the 2 GiG BC fundraising financed, the parish, from its savings, also recently purchased and installed a big fan inside the church. This was welcomed by the parishioners for they are no longer distracted by the warm temperature during masses.

As Rechel Ann Baguio, a parishioner, puts it, “This one is really helpful labi na during masses kay dili na ma-distract ang tao sige paypay. Well-ventilated na kaayo ang area”.

Building of the prayer room will come next.

The parishioners are indeed happy and satisfied with the progress going on in their beloved parish. (Rochelle Priete)