Trials make our GKK better

Here is a story of a former GKK servant leader and today a trustee for 3 years of the Davao Gulf Fourth Degree Assembly 2483.

Edmund Ybañez

My journey in my GKK began on October 21, 1968 when the Doña Pilar Village was inaugurated.

After a week, Don Pedro “Tito” Rodriguez inspired us to continue celebrating the Feast of the Immaculate Conception by December 8. So, around 30 of us residents gathered and organized the Doña Pilar Village Catholic Association. I was elected Auditor. We constructed a make-shift chapel, but later on demolished. After many years, I was appointed to construct a grotto to permanently house the Immaculate Conception. Later, the Catholic association was defunct, yet with the interest of the group to continue, the Doña Pilar Welfare Council was formed. I was appointed again to name the streets after the names of the saints. And so it happened.

Later on, I was finally elected president on September 21, 1972. When we adjourned our meeting, our advisor, Dr. Ching Rodriguez warned us to be careful as Martial Law was declared by Pres. Ferdinand Marcos. But despite the declaration, we constructed a chapel at the Grotto, but it took a year when Fr. Conrad Lafortune, PME consented to say Mass.

From light materials, in 1976, Pres. Tom Miro changed the structure of the chapel. He had it concreted and it became multi-purpose. Our GKK experienced also its highs and lows same with others that in the 1990s, Fr. Bill Larouse gave me “Deed of Usufruct” to legalize the GKK to use the lot. In spite of the trials, Holy Masses continued to be celebrated.

Today, I am glad that with the leadership of Bro. Greg Boyose and Sis. Amie Desquitado, our GKK continues to stand the test of time, bigger, nicer with a lot of donors especially the Rodriguezes, Millorias, Solomon, and others. Thank you, Lord! – Edmund Ybañez, Knights of Columbus, St. Joseph the Worker Parish, Sasa (KC 8764)

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Daghang salamat Edmund. Padayon sa pagmugna ug daghan pang proyekto alang sa kalambuan sa katilingban. ‘Til next kwentuhan higala! Email your kwento sa desk@davaocatholicherald.com. Like Davao Catholic Herald Official on Facebook.