The Birth of God’s House: Mary Help of Christians Parish of Dacudao

The lavishing grace of our benevolent God is always dynamic. The establishment of the new parish here in Dacudao, Calinan, Davao City explicitly reveals to us that the generous hands of God is working and touching our lives.

The new parish holds the title of our loving Mother, MARY HELP OF CHRISTIANS as the patroness. It was canonically established last June 6, 2007 under the leadership of the new installed parish priest, Fr. Medelino R. Borgueta, SDB of the Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB). This is the second Don Bosco parish here in Mindanao and the thirty fourth parish of the Archdiocese of Davao. The canonical establishment which has the first momentous event that happened in the new parish was attended by Archbishop Fernando Capalla, D.D., Bishop George Rimando, D.D., 8 Salesians priest, and 19 diocesan priests, different religious groups and the faithful. It has already celebrated its first parochial fiesta last September 8, 2007, the feast day of the Birhen sa Fatima Chapel where the parish and the convent are temporarily situated and the daily masses and Sunday masses are held. However, when the parish will be built on the prospected year 2009/10 the parochial fiesta will be moved on May 24, the feast day of the patroness Mary Help of Christians. The nine thousand square meter lands where the parish will be built were donated by these generous people, namely; Dr. Anthony Principe and Dr. Eucaristia Feleciano.

The infant Church gradually starts to grow with the 19 GKKs as members (one GKK was closed) and 7 schools (6 elementary and 1 secondary school), i.e. General Roxas Central elem. Sch., Lorenzo Elementary School, Pangyan, Elementary School, Dalagdag Elementary School, Dominga Elementary School, Quiabaton Elementary School, and Dacudao National High School which belong to the different GKKs. She seeks her leaders to form and shepherd the people of God. In the person of Fr. Medelino Borgueta, SDB as the parish priest and Rev. Fr. Marcelino Benabaye, SDB as the parish vicar with the help of the lay leaders, the Church carries its mission. Last August 14, 2007, the Parish Pastoral Council officials who were appointed by the parish priest installed. They are leaders from every GKK. They have their on-going formation and meeting every month.

As the years goes by, the Church has already have 25 GKKs under the new parish priest Rev. Fr. John Cardinal, SDB and parochial vicar Rev. Fr. Ariel Arias, SDB. It has already experienced and celebrated the different cycles of the Liturgical year such as Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter Season. From infancy, it grows and enters the stage of babyhood, from crawling it starts to stand on its own. The active and living faith of the people, the grace of God and the maternal care of Blessed Mother lead this very young Church to grow faithfully and fruitfully.