Synodal Church in Mission: Walk with Mercy for the Poor

“This is why I want a Church which is poor and for the poor. They have much to teach us. Not only do they share in the sensus fidei (faith animated by charity), but in their difficulties they know the suffering Christ. We need to let ourselves be evangelized by them…” – Pope Francis

With over 2,500 participants across forty (40) parishes and ten (10) sectarian and nonsectarian schools, the Archdiocese of Davao, through the Archdiocesan Social Action Center (ASAC), initiated a Walk with Mercy for the Poor, a fundraising event aimed to aid the vulnerable and people in need of special attention, particularly in times of disaster, on April 7, 2024, during the 2nd Sunday of Easter and celebration of the Feast of Divine Mercy.

This walk for a cause is among the activities lined up as part of the approaching 75th Archdiocesan Jubilee Anniversary, since the establishment of the local Church as prelature in 1949, as a diocese in 1966, and as a metropolitan archdiocese in 1970.

At 3 o’clock in the morning, the parishioners and member schools started to gather at their designated parishes, namely Sta. Ana Shrine (San Antonio de Padua – Agdao, Sacred Heart – Obrero, Our Lady of Fatima – Boulevard, Holy Cross of Agdao, Assumption College of Davao, Sta. Ana National High School, Holy Cross of Davao College, San Pedro College), Assumption Parish (St. Jude – Malvar, San Pedro Cathedral, San Alfonso – Mandug, St. Mary’s – Buhangin, Miraculous Medal – Indangan, University of Immaculate Conception, Ateneo de Davao University, Rizal Memorial Colleges, Davao Doctors College), Our Mother of Perpetual Help Parish (St. Joseph – Sasa, San Miguel – Panacan, St. Francis Xavier – Tibungco, St. James – Bunawan, St. John the Baptist – Lasang, Christ the King – Kauswagan, Our Mother of Perpetual Help, Holy Cross of Sasa, Holy Cross of Bunawan), and San Pablo Parish (St. Francis – Maa, Ascension of the Lord – Matina, Our Lady of Lourdes – Bangkal, San Lorenzo Ruiz – Talomo, Holy Family – Baliok, Sto. Rosario – Toril, Virgen Delos Remedios – Crossing Bayabas, Toril, St. Peter’s College, St. John Paul II College, Holy Cross of Calinan, ICP – Mintal, San Pedro Poveda – Catalunan Pequeño, Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish – DECA Tacunan, Tugbok, San Francisco de Asis – Tagakpan, Sacred Heart – Calinan, San Pedro Calungsod – Baguio, San Isidro – Lumondao, San Miguel – Marahan, San Roque – Malabog, Mary Help of Christian – Dacudao).

Each of the designated parishes organized a brief program that began with prayer, dynamic Zumba, and a joyful walk with the objective of being with and helping our brothers and sisters in need, along with the youth and adults.

One of the participants is Josephine Tañamo, 11 years old and a Grade 5 student from St. Mary’s – Buhangin. She said, “malipayon ako nga nakaapil niining Walk with Mercy for the Poor” (I am happy to join the Walk with Mercy for the Poor).

Rolando Nodalo, 78 years old from St. Joseph the Worker – Sasa, also shared the same experience with Josephine. For him, “nagpasalamat ug nalipay ko nga makatampo niining panagtapok, alang sa mga pobre” (I am thankful and happy to join this gathering, for the poor).

The excitement felt by Alma Bandala, a GKK Servant Leader – Pangulo sa Alagad (PSA) and parishioner from Virgin Dolorosa – Samal, was also unstoppable. Because of her excitement, they only slept for one hour to cross Davao City and prepare themselves just to participate. Bandala believes that everything they’ve gained from this activity will be shared with their GKKs and community. She also thanked the parish priest, Rev. Fr. Ricky Peñalosa, for providing them with unwavering support and encouragement for the walk for a cause activity.

At 6 a.m., all of the participants arrived safely at the San Pedro Cathedral, welcomed by cultural dances from Apo Duwaling Dance Company, following a 6:30 a.m. mass, presided over by the Archbishop of Davao, Most Rev. Romulo G. Valles, D.D., co-celebrated by Auxiliary Bishop George Rimando, Msgr. Julius Rodulfa, Msgr. Jimmy Gamboa, Rev. Fr. Leonardo Dublan Jr., Rev. Fr. Mervin Maglana, and Rev. Fr. Michael Ondras, Jr.

“Bulahan ang wala makakita apan mitoo, bisan pa man wala kita makakita, gibinlan kita niya sa iyang pulong ug sakramento!”, Archbishop Valles said.

In addition to his homily, he advocated the importance of treating our brothers and sisters with “special needs” since such care demonstrates that we have been touched and encountered the Lord. As the 75th anniversary of our local church approaches on November 30, 2024, the Archbishop desires that we would dream, walk, and journey together in the Spirit of Synodality, guided by the source of Divine Mercy.

Archbishop Valles also thanked all those who took part and showed their sacrifice. For him, it was a beautiful symbol may we continue to stand by with those who have special needs and extend help to those who are weak, which he refers to as “Walk with the Mercy of God.”

The Archdiocesan Social Action Center (ASAC) Director, Rev. Fr. Leonardo “Bong” Dublan, Jr. commended those who shared their God-given talents to make the walk for a cause a fruitful activity, especially the working committees for ways and means, security and order, program committee, logistics and food, documentation and promotion, general services, secretariat, and ASAC volunteers.

Fr. Dublan also extended acknowledgement to all the parish priests in the forty (40) parishes of the Archdiocese, university presidents, directors of the ten (10) catholic schools and nonsectarian schools, the Davao Catholic Riders Club, donors and sponsors, the City Government of Davao, and private companies.

Before giving his final blessing, Archbishop Valles was ecstatic to see many young people attending the activity, thanked the leaders for the enthusiasm shown, and looked forward to seeing more of them in the succeeding activities of the Church. (Justin T. Felicia, SADePP Agdao SocCom | Photo: Arsenio Berdera, Jr.)