Divine Mercy — Live Like Jesus Did

MATI CITY, DAVAO ORIENTAL – The Divine Mercy Parish in the City of Mati successfully celebrated the 17th Parochial fiesta with the theme “Diosnong kalooy, Tuburan sa Kinabuhi ug Panaghiusa sa Mapadayonong Naglawig nga Simbahan”, April 16, 2023, Sunday.

A Eucharistic celebration took place in honor of Jesus under the title “The Divine Mercy”, which was presided by Bishop of Mati, His Excellency Abel C. Apigo, D.D., together with parish priest , Rev. Fr. Darwey Clark and some members of the clergy the Diocese of Mati and religious.

In his homily, Bishop Abel urged the parishioners to live the life Jesus had.

“Hinaot kitang tanan magmatngon sa importante nga kinaiya nga mao ang tuburan sa panaghiusa, kinabuhi, ug paglawig diha sa misyon”, Apigo said.

Bishop Abel also cited the fiesta celebration as an act of thanksgiving to God and to the people who never turned their backs when there were people in need, thus making the parish withstand the test of time.

On the other hand, Rev. Fr. Darwey Clark, parish priest, expressed his gratitude to all who had been part of the celebration’s success. According to him, there’s no such thing as success without unity and help from different organizations that extended their hands to help the Divine Mercy Parish, especially with the ongoing renovation of the altar and the need for financial aid.

Prior to this celebration, activities including the nine (9)-day Novena Masses and a usual procession were offered. In this way, the faithful were still able to express their devotion and gratitude to their beloved patron after a 3-year pandemic hiatus. The sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation were also received by Catholic faithful as part of the fiesta celebration.

The fiesta mass celebration is annually done every second Sunday of Easter, also known as Divine Mercy Sunday. (Kyrie Jacky Sobrecarey, SocCom – Caraga | Photos by The Roman Catholic Diocese of Mati – Social Communications Ministry FB Page))