SFDA welcomes new OSJ priests

After three years, the community of San Francisco de Asis Parish, Tagakpan welcomed new priests who will be sharing the gospel with the locals.

Last July 3, 2022, Sunday, Rev. Fr. Mario Blando Holmina, OSJ, introduced himself as the new parish priest during the Holy Mass where he was the celebrant together with Rev. Fr. Concord Bagaoisan, OSJ and former parish priest Rev. Fr. Mark Jann Perez, OSJ.

Fr. Mario was born on July 20, 1979, at Poblacion, Sto. Niño South Cotabato. After high school, he decided to enter the St. Francis de Sales Major Seminary in Lipa Batangas, where he took his degree in Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy. He then pursued Theology at Don Bosco Center of Studies in Parañaque City. On May 14, 2008, Fr. Mario was ordained into priesthood in the Archdiocesan Shrine and Parish of St. Joseph the Patriarch in San Jose Batangas. Before SFDA, Fr. Mario was previously assigned as the parish priest of St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Antipolo.

The following Sunday, July 10, 2022, Rev. Fr. Dennis Venus, OSJ arrived in the parish and will be joining Fr. Mario in the ministry. Upon his arrival, he immediately presided a special Holy Mass for the Lectors, Commentators, Choir and Psalmist (LCCP) members. Fr. Dennis who happens to be the cousin of Fr. Mario the former parish priest of SFDA, was also born in Sto. Niño South Cotabato. He also earned his degree in Philosophy at St. Francis de Sales Major Seminary and took up Theology at Don Bosco Center of Studies. On August 7, 2004, Fr. Dennis was ordained into priesthood in the Archdiocesan Shrine and Parish of St. Joseph the Patriarch in San Jose Batangas. He was previously assigned as the parochial vicar of San Juan Nepomuceno Parish in San Juan, Batangas. This year Fr. Dennis will be celebrating his 18th sacerdotal anniversary.

The two priests will be spending their 3 years in the parish to continue sharing the gospel to the locals. In the words of Fr. Mario, “My priority is to establish my relationship with the parishioners as their pastor and to strengthen the GKK’s. This I think will be my springboard to have a high-yielding 3 years of ministry in the parish”.

The parishioners are looking forward to an active and prayerful three years in the parish together with Fr. Mario and Fr. Dennis. (Nes Semacio / SFDA SoCCom)