Golden hearts raised up to St. Francis Xavier

MATI CITY – The 50th(Golden) Parochial Fiesta of St. Francis Xavier Parish in Governor Generoso (Sigaboy), Davao Oriental last December 3, 2013 enabled the parishioners led by the trio-priestly team to “raise up our hearts in gratitude to our patron St. Francis Xavier for the spiritual and material blessings obtained through his intercession as evidenced by our fifty strong years of together growing in the faith as a full-fledged parish, especially in this Year of Faith, following Jesus and responding to God’s invitation of total giving to him and to others.”

Words extracted from the jubilee message delivered by Parish Priest Fr. Ricardo D. Siblos in line with the year’s theme in Cebuano: “San Francisco Sulondong Modelo sa pag-ambit ug pagtuman sa Misyon ni Kristo sulod sa Lima ka Siglo”, as he also expressed his kinasingkasing nga pagpasalamat at the end of the Episcopal Fiesta Mass to the participating people of God, particularly the parishioners and the Parish Pastoral Coordinating Council (PPCC) members, provincial and municipal officers, security personnel, visitors, and specially the Holy Mass presider and Shepherd Bishop Patricio H. Alo, D.D., together with the 33 concelebrating priests.

The fiesta date marked the last day to enjoy the jubilee privilege of a plenary indulgence granted by the Vatican in response to the request sent by Fr. Siblos through Bishop Alo, effective March 24, 2013, the 50thfoundation anniversary, till the fiesta on December 3, 2013, “as a gift for the parishioners and the entire faithful for their dedicated living of the Faith during the Year of Faith and a spiritual reward for their generous services.”

Said document signed by Penitentiary Major Cardinal Manuel Monteiro de Castro was once again read by Diocesan Chancelor Fr. Bienvenido B. Bersosa to remind everyone of the special gift granted the parish by virtue of its golden years in the faith.

The start of the 9-day Novena Masses on November 24 in the Parish Church as well as the Zonas’ Panaw-Duaw Mass also signaled the opening of the different ball games every afternoon along with the nightly musical presentations; singing and dance contests, and a basketball friendship game on the eve of the fiesta between the Mati Clergy Team Koinonia and the winning Sigaboy lay leaders Team Apostolado. .
Noteworthy too was the remembrance of the gruesome Super Typhoon Pablo that terribly sacked three coastal towns of Davao Oriental a year ago on the 4th of December and incorporated in the Masses was a prayerful thanksgiving intention for God’s merciful help in the successful restoration of the towns of Cateel, Baganga and Boston.

Certificates of Appreciation were awarded to 15 outstanding individuals from various sectors while the parish priest and his parochial vicars—Fr. Enrique M. Dongiapon and Fr. Alonito B. Tinong shared closing remarks in recognition of all the clergy present and all those who in one way or another contributed to the success of the celebration.

In a similar vein, Municipal Mayor Vicente D. Orencia delivered a message expressing his joy and honor to “witness the strong foundation of the Church and the unity of the people,” with the promise to “ensure that my service in the government will be a means in upholding the common good based on the teachings of the Church.”