History of the Miraculous Medal Parish, Indangan, Buhangin, Davao City

In the year 2008, a quasi parish was officially established in Indangan as per request of the GKK leaders in the area. This was actually initiated during the time of Msgr. Nelson Lucas and continued by Rev. Fr. Pedro P. Lamata, Parish priest then of St. Mary of the Perpetual Rosary Parish in Buhangin. The GKKs in this area are under the jurisdiction of the said parish.

Since then, the Eucharistic Celebration was celebrated every Sunday at 9:00 o’clock in the morning at Sta. Cruz Chapel, where the proposed parish was supposed to be located. But the area being considered is quite small for a parish to be put-up. Fr. Pete then approached Msgr. Max Sarno if he can share or donate a lot from their family-owned property. Fr. Pete got a positive reply from Msgr. Sarno that his family is willing to donate 1 hectare lot for the proposed parish. The location is quite favorable for both Barangays Indangan and Acacia, since it is accessible.

In February 21, 2009 the 1st general assembly meeting took place at St. Joseph the worker chapel, Molave Homes Subdivision being identified as the center of both barangays. This were attended by GKK leaders: 3 from San Miguel Parish, Panacan; 39 from St. Francis Xavier Parish, Tibungco; and 37 from St. Mary’s Parish, Buhangin. During the assembly the following were being resolved and identified: 1. Territorial Jurisdiction 2. Number of GKKs 3. Number of families. The two barangays Indangan and Acacia are the territorial jurisdiction of the said parish. It was further resolved that 14 GKKs were coming from St. Mary’s Parish in Buhangin and 10 GKKs coming from St. Francis Xavier Parish in Tibungco, under the leadership of Rev. Fr. Roy Mejias, parish priest.

Furthermore the following GKKs are started below: GKKs coming from St. Mary’s Parish, Buhangin are Birhen sa Consolacion, Immaculada Concepcion, St. Joseph, San Miguel, Santiago, Sto. Niño Millenium, San Agustin, Sta. Cruz, Sto. Niño Km.15, San Isidro Labrador, San Ignacio De Loyola, Birhen sa Lourdes, San Andres, and Sagrada Familia. The GKKs coming from St. Francis Xavier Parish in Tibungco are Birhen sa Fatima, San Vicente, San Pedro, San Isidro Labrador, Sta. Cruz-Lower, Sta. Cruz-Upper, San Roque-Acacia, San Roque-New Visayas, Sagrada Familia and Sto. Niño-Magbo.

In June 1, 2009 the venue for the celebration of Sunday mass was transferred to St. Joseph Chapel, Molave Homes to let the parishioners be familiarized with the proposed parish site. In June 27, 2009 the ad hoc team was formulated to work for the 1st visit of Archbishop Fernando Capalla on August 9, 2009 and the Canonical Establishment of the proposed parish in November 27, 2009.

In July 11, 2009 during their monthly meeting Fr. Pete Lamata announced the name of the proposed parish to be established. It was suggested by Msgr. Max Sarno as their family devotion. In November 27, 2009 the feast of the proposed parish, Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, marked also the Canonical establishment and installation of the First Parish priest Msgr. Martiniano Gorgonio, PC. The celebration was presided by Archbishop Capalla.

In August 10, 2010, Msgr. Matt officially created the Parish Pastoral Council (PPC). On June 2012, Msgr. Matt was transferred in Sta. Ana Shrine Parish and he was succeeded by Fr. Elneri Meñez, DCD, 2nd parish priest until present. On October 2012 the Parish rectory was built through Fr. Menying’s initiative and was blessed on May 26, 2013 by Archbishop Romulo G. Valles.

In July 16, 2013 the celebration of the Holy Mass was transferred to the parish ground. Fr. Menying created various programs to support the financial needs of the said parish such as GKK Parish Support (GPS), “Edad ko, Halad ko” and “Pledge with love” and for the construction of the said church building.