Faithful devotees: “We fear losing our faith more than we fear COVID-19”

The Immaculate Conception Parish, Peñaplata in the Island Garden City of Samal is now on its fifth Sunday of celebrating the Holy Eucharist with the people. Pursuant to the Executive Order No. 235-A series of 2020 allowing the public celebration of public Masses, the Holy mass with the faithful in attendance started on the First Sunday of June 2020. The mass was presided by the parish priest, Rev. Fr. Romel Banilad. It was attended by fifty percent of the total capacity of the church. The faithful had to undergo 4 disinfection phases in accordance to the guidelines recommended by the local government.

These disinfection phases include: foot bathing, thermal scanning, QR code scanning and hand sanitizing. Upon entering the church, the faithful would be assisted by the gift bearers toward their designated seats to maintain proper physical distancing. The homily was given by Rev. Fr. Hernando Batomalaque, a resident priest. His homily centered on seeing the good side of the pandemic. He said that COVID-19 pandemic gives people the opportunity to contemplate and to reconnect to our faith and to the people around us. Furthermore, Fr. Batomalaque mentioned that the crisis challenges us to show our TRUE CHRISTIANITY as we unite to put this pandemic down. “Magkahiusa ta, mosunod sa gobyerno ug magpadayon sa pag-ampo,” he added.

As some of the faithful were not able to enter the church due to the imposed limited capacity, Fr. Banilad decided to celebrate two masses every Sunday, 6:00-7:00 am and 8:00-9:00 am. Hence, the faithful could freely choose between these schedules. He also urged them to always observe the minimum health protocols (like wearing of face masks) outlined by the government. (Cheekee M. Villanueva)