Sr. San Jose, Unom ka dekada na!

May 1, 2024, St. Joseph The Worker Parish celebrated the “Ika-unom nga Dekada” as a Parish with the theme: “San Jose, Patron sa Mamumuo, Modelo sa Katilingban sa Pagkapiniyalan nga naga pakaylap sa Debosyon ug Misyon sa ika-6 nga Dekada isip Parokya.”

Three (3) masses were celebrated on May 1, 2024, at 6:00 a.m. presided by Most Rev. George Rimando, D.D., Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Davao, at 10:00 a.m., the Pontifical Mass presided by Most Rev. Romulo Valles, D.D., Archbishop of Davao and at 5:30 p.m. the presider was Most Rev. Abel Apigo. D.D., Bishop of Mati.

The Pontifical Mass was concelebrated by the following priests: Rev. Fr. Leonardo Dublan, Jr., Rev. Fr. Evan Esmade, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Gonzaga, Rev. Fr. Primo Fagel of Missionary of Jesus, Rev. Fr. Marjeo Delfin, OMI, Rev. Fr. William Cajes and Rev. Ranie Boy Pamplona.

Bishop Valles consecrated the new Altar, symbolizing Christ and serving as the focal point for praise and thanksgiving.

He said in his homily, that in 1955 Pope Pius XII instituted the feast of St. Joseph the Worker and It also has another great purpose — there should be a devotion to St. Joseph who is a model for workers/laborers. There is another way of looking at labor/human work that should be taken care of, the dignity of work, and that all activities have meaning because of the spirit of Christ and faith.

Bishop Valles emphasized that while the mystery may be incomprehensible, it is inexhaustible, “ang misteryo dili masabtan apan dili mahutdan”. The devotion to St. Joseph is intricately intertwined with this mystery. He further illuminated that the essence we derive from St. Joseph’s mystery are the virtues of stillness and humility in the presence of God. It’s about surrendering with humility, recognizing that without God, our endeavors are futile. Striving for excellence in our endeavors, embracing a servant’s role, as our labor is ultimately in service to God.

After the 10:00 a.m. mass, Rev. Fr. Leonardo Dublan, Jr. blessed the eight (8) booths wherein the “Lamesa ni San Jose” is located and was followed by fellowship lunch. From 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., there were games and presentations of Youth who performed generational dances (the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s) while the elders performed KPOP.”

Before the fiesta, many events were held such as the “Panaw-duaw ni San Jose” in every Zone under the parish, the “Hot Meals on Wheels” which delivered food for those who take care of their patient at SPMC, not only during the fiesta, but a regular program of the Confraternity of St. Joseph, the “Tabang Pabalay ni San Jose”, the Parish Free Medical Check-up scheduled every 2nd Sunday of the month and Dental Service scheduled every 3rd Sunday of the month, and other services that will portray St. Joseph’s virtues as the first and faithful steward of God.

The target of six (6) houses in 2024 for “Tabang Pabalay ni San Jose” was achieved, the 1st batch was turned over on March 19, 2024 (Feast of St. Joseph Husband of Mary) and the 2nd batch was turned over on May 1 on the 60th Parochial Anniversary of St. Joseph The Worker Parish.

The 9-day novena with two (2) masses at 6:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. started on April 22 to April 30 with a procession at 5:15 am sponsored by Zone before the start of the Novena and followed by Holy Mass at 6:00 am. The previous Parish Priests and Asst. Parish Priests were invited to celebrate the 9-day Novena Masses. We thank, Msgr. Julius Rodolfa, Rev. Fr. Pedro Lamata, Rev. Fr. Diony Tabiliran, Rev. Fr. Mervin Maglana, Rev. Fr. Florencio Acedo Jr., Rev. Fr. Pedro Maniwang, Rev. Fr. Ritsche Gamaya, Rev. Fr. Orlando Angelia and Rev. Fr. Ramon Jamora.

A nightly event during the Novena was held with a symposium and program related to the 7 Areas of God’s Gift are: 1.Vocation – Halad Pasundayag Alang Kang San Jose performed by REMASE Seminarians on April 22, 2.Temporality – Journey to Financial Freedom by Rev. Fr. Manuel Montesclaros and Mr. Alan Baiňo on April 23, 3.Cosplay and Trivia – HCCS Students sharing the gift of talent featuring the virtues of St. Joseph on April 24, 4.Ecology – Orientation on Seedling and Container Gardening, Selling-Recycling on April 25, 5.GKK – Liturgical Bible Study, Praying and Sharing, organized by 75th Group Team on April 26, 6.Faith – Tigom ni San Jose hosted by Confraternity of St. Joseph with Rev. Fr. Manuel Montesclaros as Resource Speaker on April 27, and 7.Service – Launching of Parish Free Dental check-up on April 28, and Family and Life Kanta, Sayaw, Drama (KaSaDra) on April 29.

Other aspirant devotees of Batch 15 also experienced a 33-day Preparation for the Consecration to St. Joseph which started last March 26 to April 30 and the consecration was observed on May 1 during the 6:00 a.m. mass presided over by Bishop George Rimando.

The 33-day preparation gave the devotees an experience of knowing the virtues of Saint Joseph, particularly learning the dignity of human work, being a faithful steward, and believing that devotion to Saint Joseph can bring them closer to Jesus Christ through the Eucharistic Celebration.

After the 6:00 a.m. Mass, the blessing and turnover ceremony for three (3) houses at “Tabang Pabalay ni San Jose” were conducted, presenting the beneficiaries with their new homes.

The 1st Anniversary of Confraternity of St. Joseph was also celebrated on May 1 as well as the culmination of the DEKADA Road Map.

After the 5:30 p.m. mass, the Fiesta Night – Panag-uban ni San Jose was held and participated by all GSLs, Parish staff, Parish Recognized Catholic Organizations (PARECO), and other visitors.

The mystery of faith in the devotion to St. Joseph is the reason that the 60th Fiesta has been successful.

VIVA!!! SAN JOSE VIVA!

(Written by Emy Gamorot)