Getting to Know the San Lorenzo Ruiz Parish in Don Marcelino

The church has been under construction for quite sometime until there was a diocesan reshuffling of all the priest assignments and Rev. Fr. Rogelio Y. Albite came in as the new parish priest.

Fr. Albite came to his new home, the Parish of San Lorenzo Ruiz in Don Marcelino, Davao Occidental on the morning of August 4th 2014. He met the household staff and the pastoral staff on that day. He avoided talking about the church construction this day, thinking there will be a right time to sit down with them and talk about it.

It was on August 6, which was the Feast of Transfiguration when Fr. Albite decided to sit down with the church leaders and tackle the construction issues. After establishing what needs to be done first, they proceeded to discuss about the financial matters. After long hours of presentation and deliberation, they organized among themselves the Parish Board of Commissioners with about forty members. This special group is tasked to focus their knowledge and energy towards the construction problems and issues. Sure enough, before the day ended, they came up with an easy and workable scheme to raise funds, couple of which are the Pledge and the Love gift.

It didn’t take long until they decided to start the construction again. If you look at the dome, it looks like a huge “agong” from the outer side. This symbolizes the tribal groups who are the dominant tribe in the area which are the Blaan and the Manobo. On top of the gong was a tall light torch. This serves as the lighthouse of the town where the fishermen can use it in navigating back home from an overnight fishing. On the sides you will notice the bancas stretching from the middle all the way to the far end of the roof. This symbolizes the common occupation of the residents. Generally, fishing and farming are what makes this town. The parishioners, mostly representing the different tribes are very generous to the church. They give cheerfully to the church, understanding fully well that the church represents them and that they continually receive the blessings from above because they care to give. This spirit of generosity was proven during the offertories in two of the masses I have witnessed. Almost everyone stoop up to bring their offerings to the altar, that’s in kind and in bounty harvest.

It is worth knowing that the design of the church was conceptualized by Rev. Fr. Richard Laquinon, now assistant parish priest of Holy Rosary Davao Occidental. This, by far is his contribution to the making of the church of San Lorenzo Ruiz. (Blaze Q. Cantaros, SUGID SocCom)