Celebration of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in Davao Set

How inspiring and beautiful that Christian communities in Davao City both Protestants and Roman Catholics come together in prayer and fellowship! This is “walking together” or “journeying together” in Unity and Hope.

There was a meeting held in Our Lady of the Assumption Parish, F. Torres Street, Davao City, January 6, 2022, hosted by Fr. Hermie Garcia, S.S.S., parish priest and facilitated in by Fr. Pedro Lamata, Director of the Archdiocesan Center for Ecumenical and Interreligious Dialogue (A.C.E.I.D.). The purpose of the meeting was for the incoming celebration of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in Davao City on January 18 to 25, 2022. There were five participants from the Protestant Christian communities, namely: Rev. Haniel Taganas and Rev. Grace Bangisan from the United Church of Christ in the Philippines, Rev. Padi May Casada of the Episcopal Church in the Philippines, Rev. Rueland Badoy of the Peace International and the Philippine Bible Society, and Bro. Genesis Santos of the Philippine Bible Society. Likewise, from the Roman Catholic Church there were five participants, namely: Fr. Hermie Garcia, S.S.S., Fr. Pedro Lamata, parish priest, St. Francis of Assisi Parish, La Verna, Rev. John Patrick Pelonio of A.C.E.I.D. and St. Francis of Assisi, Maa, Bro. Domingo Alob of the Archdiocese of Davao Biblical Apostolate, representing Fr. Ritsche Gamaya, Director, Archdiocese of Davao Biblical Apostolate and Bro.Antonio Apat of A.C.E.I.D.

The opening celebration will be hosted by the St. Francis of Assisi Parish, La Verna on January 18, Tuesday, 6:30 in the evening. The culmination celebration will be hosted by the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP), CROSSroads Church Corner Bonifacio and Pelayo Sts., Davao City, on January 25, 6:00 in the evening.

The theme of the week-long celebration is:

“WE SAW THE STAR IN THE EAST AND WE CAME TO WORSHIP HIM” (Matthew 2:2)

May the words of Jesus: “That all may be one. . .” (John 17:21), come into fulfillment. (SOCCOM St. Francis of Assisi – La Verna)