HISTORY: Mary Help of Christians Parish Dacudao, Calinan

IT started with a fundraising which unexpectedly hit one million, the community in Dacudao, Calinan was convinced that the parish construction should start. This new church holds the title of our loving Mother, MARY HELP OF CHRISTIANS as the patroness. It was canonically established last June 6, 2007 under the leadership of the 1st priest, Fr. Medelino R. Borgueta, SDB. This is the second Don Bosco parish here in Mindanao and the thirty fourth parish of the Archdiocese of Davao.

The canonical establishment was attended by Abp. Emeritus Fernando R. Capalla, D.D., Bishop George Rimando, D.D., 8 Salesian priests, and 19 diocesan priests, different religious groups and the faithful. It has already celebrated its first parochial fiesta last September 8, 2007, the feast day of Birhen sa Fatima Chapel where the parish and the convent were temporarily situated and daily and Sunday masses were held.

However, when the parish Church was initially constructed, the feast was moved to May 24, the feast day of Mary Help of Christians, last 2013. The nine thousand square meter land where the parish church was built was donated by Dr. Anthony Prinsipe and Dr. Eucaristia Feleciano.

The infant Church gradually started to grow with the initial 19 GKKs and 7 schools (6 elementary schools and 1 secondary school). With the support then of Fr. Marcelino Benabaye, SDB, now the parish priest, and the lay leaders, the Church continues to carry its mission.

Last June 5, 2011, the second parish priest was installed in the person of Fr. Andy Satura, SDB, a Cebuano who have just came from his last assignment in Negros.

Today, it has 24 GKKs that serve the pastoral needs of the members as well as the 10 surrounding public schools. (With inputs from Frs. Medelino Borgueta and Adriano Satura, SDB)