Biyahe Francisco: A Journey Of God’s Good Steward

DAVAO CITY – On October 4, 2023, St. Francis of Assisi Parish celebrated its 28th parochial fiesta with the theme, “San Francisco de Assisi: Giya sa Pagkapinayalan sa Nagapanaw nga Katilingban.”

Days prior to the feast day, the 9-day novena masses were set beginning September 25th to October 3rd.

The major activity leading to the fiesta was the inaugural ‘A Night to Remember’: Celebrating Milestone and Oneness event at the Grand Menseng Hotel ballroom on September 30, 2023. The event was deemed a success, with more than 460 people in attendance.

At the dawn of the parochial fiesta, all 43 GKKs under the administration of the parish came together with an image of their GKK’s respective patron to participate in the procession alongside the parish’s patron saint, St. Francis of Assisi, around Ma-a.

As the parishioners returned to the church from the convoy, the 6:00 a.m. Pontifical Mass soon followed, with the Most Reverend Romulo G. Valles, DD celebrating, with twenty-four diocesan clergy and eight deacons concelebrating alongside him. Three other holy masses were scheduled for the day.

At 10:30 a.m., the baptism of 41 children was done by the parish vicar, Rev. Fr. Ranebe J. Magallanes, together with newly ordained deacons Rev. Alcris Panganiban and Rev. Soren Abellanosa. At 4:30 p.m., to commemorate the patron saint’s connection and by Rev. Fr. Ranebe connection and reverence for animals and nature, the blessing of animals was held outside the church.

The finale of the parochial fiesta was the Socio-Cultural Night, a showcase of every parish ministry’s skill and talent through captivating live performances. Throughout the show, there was a raffle draw with exciting prizes, including grocery baskets, sacks of rice, and cash.

Before the day would formally end, the parish priest, Msgr. Paul A. Cuison went on the stage and told the parishioners one of his inspirational speeches. In this instance, he left a captivating message: “Let us be an instrument of peace to others, especially those at home. It is a challenge to be an instrument of peace to others.”

Indeed, the challenge of St. Francis of Assisi for us is to be an instrument of peace. Not be understood but to understand; to love with all our hearts. Let us become instruments of peace, especially to our families. Viva San Francisco De Assisi! Viva! (Alessandro Rikardo V. Millabe / Pamela Caroline V. Millabe – SFAP Ma-a SocCom)