25th Anniversary “Banquet of Love” Televised Mass for the Sick, Disabled and Elderly 1990-2015

The year 2015, is a graced month for the Daughters of St. Paul, especially on August 9, 2015 (Sunday), because it is the 25th Anniversary of the program “Banquet of Love” Televised Mass for the sick, disabled and the elderly, aired over ABS-CBN at 6:00 A.M.

The Daughters of St. Paul Missionary of the Mass Communications in Davao has always been involved in the media ministry of the Archdiocese, (For example) in the BTMC-Bishop Thibault Media Center and other media ministries, and now, in the re-opening of the radio station DXGN.

In 1989 there was a short pause of the FSP’s involvement, which triggered them to look for some ways to go on with the media projects of the congregation. The sisters with the then superior of the community, Sr. Giacomina Cabucos, fsp, embarked on the Televised Mass apostolate with the aim of spreading the Word of God to the sick, the disabled and the elderly. With great enthusiasm, Sr. Sol Cababaros, (RIP) organized the program “Banquet of Love” with the blessing of Archbishop Antonio Mabutas, D.D. (RIP), and launched it on Air, August 6, 1990, Feast of the Transfiguration of Our Lord.

So the “Banquet of Love” televised Mass for the sick, the disabled and the elderly was born.

The community has never made a formal survey on audience impact. However, when we visited the parishes in the North and South Cotabato, Davao del Sur and Occidental, Davao del Norte and Oriental and other nearby Dioceses, we asked people regarding the program and about 80 percent said that they are watching it, because they want to listen to the message of every Sunday Mass. Some even said that they use the songs sung by the choir for their ‘Katilingbanong Pag-ampo’ in their “Gagmay’ng Kristohanong Katilingban”. (BEC) At the same time the station ABS-CBN reported that our program is one of the top five programs watched by the people of Mindanao every Sunday morning.

Archbishop Fernando Capalla, the Archbishop of Davao after Archbishop Antonio Mabutas, was very supportive of this venture and wants us to continue with this ministry.

This program survives on the goodness and generosity of many sponsors and benefactors’ monthly pledges, for it has no permanent financial back-up. These sponsors and benefactors are those who give financial help (to pay the station weekly), offer free flowers, food for crewmen, choirs and others. Truly they are our partners in pursuing the mission of bringing the Word of God to our people through the Air Waves — TV Mass “Banquet of Love”. Most of the gifts offered during the offertory are given to the seminaries of Kidapawan, Digos, Mati, Tagum and Davao.

We believe on our Founder’s (Blessed James Alberione) words taught to us on the apostolate. “This is God’s will and so ‘God will Provide’.” True enough, the program is now on its 25th anniversary, because it is His will to let it grow and live until today.

To open the 25th celebration of this program, last August 2014, the Sisters with the help of the Association of Pauline Cooperators, started to gather funds for the Project: “100 Free Cebuano Bibles” to 100 families of the GKK of every Parish of the Dioceses of Davao, Tagum, Digos, Mati, Davao Oriental and Cotabato. We were able to give about 1,000 Free Cebuano Bibles. The project is still going on, with the aim of reaching all the Parishes of these said Dioceses, who are under the territory of the Community of the FSP-Davao.

A Special 25th Celebration Mass on TV will be on August 7, 2015 (Friday) at 7:00 P.M. in ABS-CBN, participated by invited sponsors, benefactors and the Pauline Family with the seminarians of the Regional Major Seminary of Davao (REMASE) as Choir.

The Presider of the Eucharistic Celebration is Archbishop Emeritus Fernando Capalla, D.D. with about ten concelebrant priests.

On August 8, 2015, there will be a gathering of friends, benefactors, sponsors, religious & priests, especially the regular choirs of the TV Mass, in “Paternos” to celebrate the Eucharist with the presider Fr. Danny Montaña, RCJ. A talk on the Message of the Holy Father on the 49th World Day of Communication, will be given by Fr. Ritsche Gamaya: the Director of the Catholic Mass Media Commission of the Archdiocese. It is also a fitting occasion to thank everyone for their untiring support and care for the Communication Project.

Our joy and that of our people will be complete, if we pray for its continuous broadcast according to God’s will. (Sr. Rica G. Dalaguit, fsp)