St. Joseph the Worker Parish Celebrates 58th Parochial Fiesta

St. Joseph the Worker Parish marks its 58th Parochial Fiesta last May 1, Sunday, with the theme, “Mapadayunong Pagpanaw sa mga Piniyalan Diha sa Diwa sa Sinodo Uban ni San Jose Nga Mamumuo” in Sasa – Pampanga, Davao City.

In commemoration of the 58th Parochial Fiesta, various activities were held such as the Hot Meals on Wheels on all days of the novena, the Family Enthronement to St. Joseph on April 11-29, and the 33 days Preparation for Consecration to St. Joseph on March 26 to May 1.

According to St. Joseph Parish Priest, Fr. Bong Dublan, the Consecration is a deeper dedication of oneself to St. Joseph and as Pope Francis has stated in his Apostolic Letter, “to know, be close, & imitate St. Joseph.”

“Usa na siya sa gipa-kusgan namo, unya ang diri sa parokya kay na’ay tulo ka-level of deepening of consecration… reflection, deepening sa title ni St. Joseph pagkahuman kay ang prayer, apil sa prayer kay ang Litany of St. Joseph, at the end, naa tung challenge of the day [assignment],” he shared.

(“It is one of the things that we have strengthened, then, here in the parish, there are three levels of deepening of consecration… reflection, deepening of the title of St. Joseph, then after the prayer, including the Litany of St. Joseph, and at the end, the challenge of the day [assignment],” he shared.)

The parish conducts Consecration during special occasions like on December 8, The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, March 16, and May 1, date of their parochial fiesta.

Fr. Dublan added, “Kana siya nagpa-kusog siya sa among mga devotees diri sa parokya because we are planning… decided by the people na mahimo tang St. Joseph Shrine so we are developing the devotion for that.”

(Fr. Dublan added, “That’s what encourages our devotees here in the parish because we are planning… decided by the people that we can be a St. Joseph Shrine so we are developing the devotion for that.”)

On the other hand, the parish also gives significance to the “St. Joseph’s Table,” also called “St. Joseph’s Altar,” which is a celebration of St. Joseph that started in Greece. The abundant food on the table symbolizes the blessings received and is an expression of thanksgiving for answered prayers. Each of the 9 GKK zones also have their own “St. Joseph’s Table.”

Moreover, one of the parish’s new projects is the “Tabang Balay ni San Jose” as they believe that the Patron of Workers, St. Joseph, was a carpenter who builds for those in need. (Charlotte C. Delos Santos, AdDU Intern | Angelie Alonzo)