Our Lady of Lourdes Parish History

OUR LADY OF LOURDES PARISH (OLLP)
Corner Cordillera and Sierra Madre Sts., Central Park, Bangkal, Davao City

OLLP HISTORY
Updated Edition

As what the late Pope John Paul II wrote in his encyclical, Ecclesia de Eucharistia,” The Eucharist makes the church, the church makes the Eucharist.” Throughout the church’s history, the felt intense desire to be with and to worship God has what ignited the peoples’ will to gather as a community and assemble with one purpose: to fulfill the calling of the Eucharist.

Our Lady of Lourdes Parish (OLLP) can be said to have been borne out of a miracle. A miracle in such a way that everything seemed to just have unfolded mysteriously that can only be attributed to God’s ability to architect everything. However, some miracles needed special people to make it a reality, the very people whose devotion and generosity has what shaped and founded the now beautiful church of patron saint, Our Lady of Lourdes.

During the onset of Jubilee Year 2000 celebration, Sunday masses were alternately celebrated among chapels of District 11, Bangkal of San Pablo Parish. The said district was composed of seven (7) GKKs: La Purisima Concepcion Seaside, San Miguel Arkanghel NHA Relocation, Christ The King Kadayawan Homes Phase 2, San Roque Kadayawan Homes Phase 1, Immaculate Conception Kadayawan Homes Phase 3, Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Kadayawan Homes Phase 3, and Sacred Heart of Jesus Central Park Subdivision. Initially, it was sufficient but eventually the set-up revealed inadequacies in addressing issues on logistics.

To have a mass celebrated every Sunday in the said district was everyone’s hope, dream and prayer. Thus, Fr. Dionisio Tabiliran, Parish Priest of San Pablo Parish, permitted a regular mass to be celebrated every Sunday in a permanent venue, a place almost equidistant among GKKs for District 11. It didn’t take long for the ardent district leaders, supported by the whole community, to conspire with the idea of making these Sunday masses of a permanent occurrence. On the Feast Day of the Sacred Heart of Jesus GKK in 2001, with most of GKK leaders of District 11 in attendance, Engr. Gloria O. Cabillas, a Parish Pastoral Council Lay Coordinator of San Pablo Parish then, heralded the news of approval by no less than the Parish Priest.

This marked the unfolding of a miracle. Since then, parishioners and even non-parishioners started coming and consistently filled up, sometimes spilling over, the gym along Malindang and Apo Road, Central Park, every Sunday. From that day onwards, the framework necessary for the birth of a new parish slowly took its shape. It is now wanting of new breed of leaders to take, bigger roles, bringing to new heights what was conceived in the hearts of those who dreamt, hope and prayed for a new parish.

On April 4, 2002, Fr. Danilo B. Dotollo, successor of Fr. Dionisio C. Tabiliran as Parish Priest of San Pablo Parish, and Engr. Gloria O. Cabillas, Secretary of the San Pablo Parish Finance Council started looking for an area for the proposed Bangkal Parish Church with Archbishop Fernando R. Capallas’s blessing of putting up a parish in Bangkal area.

A five-hectare commercial lot along Sierra Madre in NHA Kadayawan Homes was prospected and immediately negotiated by Fr. Dotollo and Engr. Cabillas. This was the result of numerous consultation meetings with Msgr. Cuison, Msgr. Tonel, and Fr. Dotollo on the identification of boundaries of San Pablo Parish and The Ascension of Our Lord Parish, both located in Matina.

On July 28, 2002, the launching of the First Mass at the temporary site in Malindang Road, Central Park, Bangkal was held in attendance of almost one thousand people. Sometime also in July 2002, the Finance Committee was created wherein Engr. Gloria Cabillas was designated as Chairperson, Rafael Lasa as Secretary, Annie Amorado, + Felonila Dacer and Zenona Jao as Accountant and Auditors. The said committee was formed to oversee the activities of the proposed parish. Later on September 16, 2002, the meeting with Archbishop Fernando R. Capalla took place where the latter committed to help in the negotiations with the lot acquisitions.

To hasten the proceedings and upon the suggestion of Archbishop Capalla, a foundation was established with fifteen (15) leaders as incorporators on October 22, 2002. It was known as Catholics in Action on Relationship Enhancement (CARE) Foundation, Inc., with Dr. Ma. Iris Melliza as the Chairperson. The Foundation toiled for months in ensuring the smooth transition of both the parochial activities and lot negotiations. And on a fateful day of August 18, 2003, President Gloria Arroyo learned of Archbishop Capalla’s written request to NHA and right away instructed Secretary Mike Defensor to help CARE Foundation secure the property. This event motioned the beginning of the next steps.

The choosing of the patron saint was easy. The word “miracle” has been repeatedly spoken since the start by Archbishop Capalla. Then what better and best fitting name to think of than the miraculous “ Our Lady of Lourdes “? But this didn’t become official until Archbishop Capalla approved it on February 25, 2003, and later announced it during the Holy Thursday on Chrism Mass.

On November 9, 2003, the Canonical Establishment/Erection officiated by the Most Rev. Fernando R.Capalla, DD, was held simultaneously with Fr. Danilo Dotollo’s official installation as the First Parish Priest of the Our Lady of Lourdes Parish.

To facilitate the enormous work less the needed facilities and finances to run a parish, Fr. Dotollo created a Parish Coordinating Team (PCT) which was later renamed as Parish Coordinating Council (PCC). A consultative body that was tasked of recommending among others, programs of activities necessary to run a parish. Coordinators of every ministry, apostolate, organizations and movement were elected to sit as members of the Parish Coordinating Council (PCC) numbering thirty two.

Wanting of an able person to run the formation and the pastoral programs, an invitation to Sr. Mary Eleanor Barangot, OSB, was extended to help meet an emerging need to develop a support base of committed people supportive of the planned projects implementation. Formations programs in place, the GKKs and their respective leaders were strengthened and were ready to collaborate. She started reporting to OLLP on June 8, 2004.

After the erection of the building took place various continuous fund raising projects were implemented. During this year, OLLP received donations from San Pablo and Sta. Ana parishes.

When Fr. Danilo Dotollo went on study leave, Msgr. Paul Cuison received an appointment on February 14, 2005, as the OLLP Parish Administrator with Fr. Zaldy Abonales as Parochial Vicar. After almost a year, +Fr. Gary Glen Yba was welcomed as resident of OLLP, whose major role was to concentrate with the GKKs.

Msgr. Paul A. Cuison started and finished the tedious work of putting into place the documentation and acquisition of the land where the church of Our Lady of Lourdes parish was to be built. He enlisted the assistance of Atty. Aileen Lizada to help in the legal matters. With the support of other parishioners, Msgr. Cuison and Atty. Lizada made a steady progress and successfully worked out the Deed of Usufruct, a very vital document that allowed the Our Lady of Lourdes Parish the legal right to use the property.

After too many meetings, mediations and negotiations, the parish has successfully acquired possession of the lot. The location of the property has been moved to the upper portion of Cordillera Street Corner Sierra Madre Street of the NHA property due to the request made by Hon. Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte since the original area is prone to flooding.

To commemorate this great achievement, a ceremonial groundbreaking of the new church’s site took place on November 6, 2005, headed by Archbishop Capalla himself. The activity was coordinated by Atty. Aileen Lizada.

The luncheon programme spearheaded by Msgr. Cuison, in honour of Rev. Fathers Anthony E. Silvosa from the Our Lady of Fatima GKK Flores Village, and William S. Cajes from the Our Lady of the Holy Rosary GKK Kadayawan Homes was attended by over five hundred relatives and friends of Fr. Silvosa and Fr. Cajes including religious coming from various parishes and congregations, GKK servant leaders, organizations and movements. The event was held at the multipurpose gym of Central Park Phase 2, right after their priestly ordination at San Pedro Cathedral on June 27, 2005. Msgr. Martiniano T. Gorgonio, the Spiritual Director of Regional Major Seminary (REMASE) said in his inspiring message “ Inspite of the challenges we faced in acquiring the parish lot, we are blessed, because in less than two years, two people from Bangkal have been ordained as priests… it is a divine providence… let us all praise the goodness of the Lord.

In response to the need on August 13, 2005 at P.M. Sisters, Catalunan Grande, Davao City, a planning and organizing workshop and team building took place facilitated by Mr. Gico Dayanghirang. An activity prior to the sending forth of the first Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) on August 14, 2005. Msgr. Cuison provided an orientation regarding PPC’s role and what PPC is in a different schedule. The PPC, a role model group that will represent the parish as a whole through coordinators for various apostolates, is the first to be strengthened. Msgr. Cuison is going to lead the PPC, and the PPC is going to lead their own groups. Parish is a community, as well as a sacrament and a celebration. Pastoral care is the parish’s main goal. Saves the soul. Creating a community is the most effective method to do it. Msgr. Cuison claimed that despite the church’s hierarchical structure, democratic leadership is still used. Canon 536 directs that every parish shall establish a Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) as a venue of consultation at every level of decision making among God’s people. The thirty four initial members of the PPC were chosen from hold-over members of the Parish Coordinating Council (PCC).

The Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) also backed the PFC-Ways and Means Committee on various continuous Fund Raising Projects by way of manpower supplement in the work of solicitation.

On February 6, 2006, “A Church in My Heart” concept was born leaving the heart-design logo at its trail. Fund was raised for the Rectory construction by the “Home for My Priests” dinner to celebrate Msgr. Paul’s birthday. This was put up jointly with San Isidro Labrador Parish.

On June 1, 2006, Fr. Voltaire Dimol was assigned and installed as the Second Parish Priest of OLLP. He also inherited the full capacity and authority of Msgr. Cuison as Administrator. During the first few months since Fr. Dimol’s assumption to office, he focused his efforts in familiarizing himself with the different parochial programs and activities by listening and keenly observing the dynamics of how the parish was being run. He convened the PPC, PFC and other key leaders of the parish for consultation and planning. Later, he proposed modifications in the parish’s organization structure and functions.

One of the salient events in the entirety of the establishment of a new church was the ceremonial signing of the Deed of Usufruct on November 12, 2006. In tune with the said occasion, a Mass was celebrated by the Most Rev. Fernando R. Capalla, DD. It was also during this time that the “Piso-Piso” fund Raising was launched by Fr. Voltaire Dimol, Atty. Aileen Lizada, Dr. Ma. Iris Melliza and +Mrs. Felonila Dacer were the event coordinators.

The second installed Parish Priest, Fr. Voltaire Dimol, was tasked to create an organizational structure for the construction committee. Upon identifying the major tasks, the said structure included three (teams) to ensure the smooth progress of the construction: (1) The Administration and Operation Team, (2) The Construction Finance Team, and (3) The Parish Construction Technical Team. With the created structure, the construction commenced on November 26, 2006.

Sustaining good working relationships and capabilities under Fr. Voltaire Dimol, an Enneagram session was held and facilitated by Msgr. Edgar P. Labagala as it hoped to identify the leaders’ strengths and weaknesses to sustain them through tough tasks ahead.

The Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) with the Parish Finance Council (PFC) spearheaded the final formulation of the parish’s vision-mission on June 17, 2009, aimed to define future actions in attaining the dreams and aspirations of the parish, ably guided by Bishop George Rimando, Auxiliary Bishop of Davao. The first draft of the mission-vision was facilitated by Mr. Gico Dayanghirang on October 2, 2005, at ACFLA Office, Mc. Arthur Highway, Davao City. “A vision-mission may not be perfectly achieved but will serve as an over-all guide of the organization to keep moving, for the fulfilment of the kingdom. “ said Auxiliary Bishop Rimando

Fr. Dimol’s idea of coming up with a souvenir program to feature the parish and GKK history, the names of the parishioners per GKK was launched on April 26, 2009, after the 7:30 am mass. Through the hard work of the Steering Committee/ Core Group and Sub-Committees: Research and Documentation, Editorial Board and Secretariat, Finance, GKK affairs and Solicitations, the final printing was done on November 8, 2010.

Fr. Dimol felt the need to recruit a pastoral coordinator and assistant to the parish priest. He invited Sr. Jeanema Agudo, MPS a Redemptorist sister from Tagakpan. The evangelizing and social action charisms of the Congregation is a plus factor to qualify her for the post. Began to report to work in the parish on October 15, 2010. A yearly renewable contract as agreed between OLLP and her superior.

A soft blessing of the Pastoral Building took place after the 7:30 a.m. mass on October 10, 2010. The completion target was in December 2010. Currently the two-storey structure is used as the pastoral office, parish priest office and meeting rooms for various apostolates.

In November 2010 the Ignatian Institute of Religious Education (IIREF) through the IIREF Coordinator the late +Fr. Percious Gonzales and Fr. William J. Malley IIREF Executive Director and founder were so happy and thankful to OLLP through the Parish Priest Fr. Dimol for hosting the Vicariate School of Theology (VST). The school was one of the programs of IIREF aim to give servant leaders in the parishes and in the GKKs free formal religious instruction. The VST offers an academic program of formal education lasting for two semesters. The Academic Program consists of eight subjects: Old Testament, Liturgy and Sacraments, New Testament, Christology, Ecclesiology, Trinity, Christian Morality, and Christian Stewardship with the time frame of ten weeks or ten meetings at three hours each session for each subject. Professors have masters or even Doctors of Philosophy in Theology. Ecclesiology, one of the second year studies was taught by Fr. Dimol. In the first batch, eighteen OLLP students graduated successfully.

The attendees at a 3-in-one celebration on April 19, 2012, heard said goodbye to Fr. Dimol as they welcomed Fr. Dexter Veloso: The 18th Sacerdotal Anniversary and Departing Party of Fr. Voltaire Dimol and Fr. Dexter Veloso’s Welcoming Party.

Fr. Dexter C. Veloso, the third priest introduced the 2-year plan of actions as one of the programs that will be undertaken during his term when he first attended the Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) meeting on June 3, 2012, as the new PPC President. He described the action as an endeavour consolidation. Each ministry strategy will be coordinated as a whole, putting the pieces in place to include ministry goals into a comprehensive realistic plan of action. God remains at the forefront of our service life when we entrust our plans to Him. God, being our partner, we are the various arms of the church, the arms of our Lord. Additionally, the action will avoid duplication of efforts that could exhaust available resources he said. The presentation of the first 2-year plan of action was held overnight at HCDC Beach Resort, IGACOS in August 2012, the second presentation was an overnight stay at Pearl Farm Beach Resort last August 2014, and the third and last one was held whole day, during the August 7, 2016 PPC meeting at pastoral bldg.

Barely four months prelude to his birthday, Fr. Dexter Veloso, made true to his promises as three significant projects of the parish were completed. The Gallery of the forty four Life-Size sculptures of various Saints in the Perimeter fence‘s posts alternate to the lighting was completed in July 2016. On August 20, 2016, the Eucharistic Chapel was formally opened to parishioners as it was blessed by no less than our Most Rev. Archbishop Romulo Valles, soon after he officiated the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. Simultaneously, he proceeded to parish ground and blessed likewise the Grotto Shrine of Mama Mary. The twin blessings were witnessed by lay leaders who, soon after, gathered at the Rectory for fellowship breakfast along with Archbishop Valles and Fr. Veloso.

On March 8, 2017, the Multipurpose Gym’s building was officially kicked off and on November 25, 2017 after the 6:00 a.m. mass, Fr. Leonardo A. Dublan, Jr,. blessed the project. In addition to serving as the venue for Sports events, parish and GKK activities on the 5th Sunday of the month, the multifunctional gym will also use as an evacuation site for parishioners and members of other denominations including Islam, in the event of life-threatening flash flooding.

After having been held on the 2nd Sunday of February for thirteen years, OLLP began to celebrate the Fiesta on the 11th of February, the Liturgical date of the celebration of the feast day of the Our lady of Lourdes. On February 11, 2017, 14th Parochial Fiesta a Pontifical Mass was celebrated by Archbishop Romulo G. Valles, DD, which was flocked by hundreds of parishioners and of elderly and sick people who received the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick in response to the declaration of the “World day of the Sick. With the theme “ Ang nagkahiusang katawhan sa parokya nga nangalagad uban ni Maria.”

On May 31, 2018, the OLLP Servant Leaders and Parishioners bid goodbye with full of gratitude to Fr. Dexter C. Veloso, Fr. Leonie H. España is joyfully welcomed as the 4th parish priest of the Our Lady of Lourdes Parish starting June 1, 2018.

Fr. España during the June 3, 2018, PPC meeting, outlined the harmonization of all relevant ministries and Apostolates’s post. He also stated, that a high-tech sound system that could tailored to the user’s voice was a priority. In the course of his tenure, he reinforced the fund raising initiatives with the PFC-Ways Means Committee Chair in raising funds for the completion of church projects and other operation needs.

The present administration: On October 18, 2019, Fr. Henry G. Campeon took over as the fifth Parish Priest after Fr. Leonie H. España was transferred to St. Francis of Assisi, Maa. On November 3, 2019 the PPC members welcomed Fr. Campeon at the PPC meeting where the November 9, Canonical Establishment Anniversary of the parish was one of the topics on the agenda. Fr. Campeon’s directive to hold a grand celebration, similar to Fiesta or better was the instrumental in the conception of the grand activities, because according to him, it’s the birth of the church, the mother of all festivities.

Before the Covid-19 pandemic gathering restriction was strictly implemented, Fr. Campeon announced that the venue of the mass of the World Day of the sick for the Archdiocese of Davao will be in OLLP starting February 11, 2020. The occasion was previously celebrated in the Metropolitan Cathedral of San Pedro. The 17th Parochial Fiesta pontifical mass at 9:00 a.m. was celebrated by Archbishop Valles. Incorporated in the celebration was a special blessing of the sick, elderly and pastoral health care workers.

The church projects, currently being carried out are the development of the church ground, replacing the defective termite-infested pews, and the repainting of the church roofing, and both interior and exterior of the church building. A Raffle for a cause was launched on August 2023, in order to finance the various ongoing church projects for their completion.

Through home prayer visits with the cluster families (Pundok Banays), the parish through the GKK Servant Leaders (GSLs) spearheaded by the Pangulo sa Katilingban (PSK) and the Pangulo sa Lituhiya (PSL), as the prayer leader implemented the Spirituality of Stewardship in their respective Gagmay’ng Kristohanong Katilingban (GKK) after the program was launched on July 9, 2023. The cash offering 50-50 split is what will be the sharing. During the GKK schedule of masses, the parish’s 50% portion will be offered. The Spirituality of Stewardship drives information and education campaign began in 2019.

The current parish profile included an estimated population of 12,000 with 3,000 families. It was composed of seven (7) districts with twenty five (25) GKKs from three (3) districts with twenty one (21) GKKs when the parish started. The said populace has a combination of a highly urbanized residents of subdivisions and urban poor residents.

The Present twenty five (25) Gagmay’ng Kristohanong Katilingban (GKKs) within OLLP’s territorial jurisdiction:
District 1: Our Lady of Fatima Royal Valley, Sagrada Familia Santos Marketing, San Juan Bangkal and San Roque Bangkal
District 2: Immaculate Conception Taal, Sta. Cruz Central Park Phase 1, and Sto. Niño Bulusan
District 3: Immaculate Conception Kadayawan Homes Phase 3, Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Kadayawan Homes Phase 3, and Sacred Heart of Jesus Central Park Phase 2 and 3
District 4: Christ the King Kadayawan Homes Phase 2, Inahan sa Kanunay’ng Panabang Seaside, La Purisima Concepcion, Seaside and San Miguel Arkanghel NHA Relocation
District 5: Immaculate Conception Concepcion Compound, Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament NHA Sectoral, Our Lady of Queen of Peace Kadayawan Homes Phase 1 and San Roque Kadayawan Homes Phase 1.
District 6: Immaculate Conception SM Village, Our Lady of Fatima Flores Village, San Jose Alzate, and Sto. Niño Alzate.
District 7: Christ the King Tahimik, Santiago Apostol Matina, and St. Joseph the Worker Lopez Village Matina.

The Church that now stands on the main road of Central Park, the permanent home of the Our Lady of Lourdes parish, is a visible example of the wonderful spirit that has united the community through the loving and caring work of all parishioners together with all the priests who served our parish. From the period of canonical establishment to the present, the servant leaders and parishioners saw six (6) leadership turnovers, beginning from the first parish priest :

1. Fr. Danilo B. Dollo (1st Parish Priest) – November 9, 2003 through February 13, 2005
   • Sr. Mary Eleanor Barangot, OSB
2. Msgr. Paul A. Cuison (Parish Administrator) – February 14, 2005 through May 31, 2006
   • Fr. Zaldy Abonales, Parochial Vicar
   • + Fr. Gary Glen Yba, Resident Priest
3. Fr. Voltaire P. Dimol (2nd Parish Priest) – June 01, 2006 through May 31, 2012
   • Sr. Jeanema Agudo, MPS
4. Fr. Dexter C. Veloso (3rd Parish Priest) – June 01, 2012 through May 31, 2018
   • Fr. Emmanuel G. Calumpong, Resident Priest
5. Fr. Leonie H. España (4th Parish Priest) – June 01, 2018 through October 17, 2019
   • Fr. Arnulfo P. Cubero, Resident Priest
6. Fr. Henry G. Campeon (5th Parish Priest) – October 18, 2019 to date
   • Fr. Arnulfo P. Cubero, Resident Priest
   • Fr. Romeo Coronel, OSA, Guest Priest (transferred to SMPRP on July 1, 2022)
   • Fr. Fernando Ingente, SM, Guest Priest

Twenty (20) bittersweet years had already passed and yet still the fire of Our Lady of Lourdes’ miracle has not waned, but lives on instead. And until now, it continued to touch and inspire the community’s hearts in realizing a brand new church. As what Fr. Dimol once said in one of his homilies, “the greatest miracle is not the founding of the church, but how it was built out of nothing and by the manner it was done by the very people who communed to make it happen.”

Acknowledgment

• 2010 OLLP Souvenir program:
  • The making of a Church: A miracle unfolded by: Gloria Cabillas
  • The church construction by: Gloria Cabillas
  • The hardworking priests of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish by: Marissa Diploma
  • The Parish Pastoral Council by: Nestor Fruto
  • The Parish Finance Council by: Dr. Ma. Iris Melliza
• Mary’s Trumpet OLLP Official Newsletter
  • Nov. 2016 issue : ABp Valles blessed Eucharistic Chapel and grotto Shrine by: Vonz Hijada
  • Jan. 2017 issue: OLLP celebrates 14thparochial fiesta by: Vonz Hijada
  • June 2018 issue: New Parish Priest, New PPC, new life in the parish by: Vonz Hijada
  • June 2016 issue: What is Pastoral Council by: Nestor Fruto
• Minutes of the Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) Meeting
  • Oct. 14, 2003 through Sept. 3, 2023 by: Vinny Bajo