The History of Sta. Cruz Parish

1938: Catholic Faithful from Bohol brought with them their patron saint, Sta. Cruz to Talicud Island.

2004–2006: Initial plan to establish Talicud Island as a parish. Initiated by Fr. Roy Mejias, who was the parish priest then of Sto. Niño Parish, Kaputian District, IGaCos, Davao del Norte. However, it did not push through.

2012: The plan to establish Talicud Island as a parish was revived through the initiative of Fr. Rico P. Enriquez who was the parish priest.

May 12, 2013: A general assembly of 15 GKK leaders was conducted in Birhen sa Kasilak Chapel. It was in that assembly that the patron saint, Sta. Cruz was chosen as a patron of Talicud Island.

September 22, 2013: A “Thanksgiving Mass” was celebrated by Archbishop Romulo G. Valles, D.D., Archbishop of Davao. The intention was to thank the Lord that Talicud Island already had a chosen patron, which is Sta. Cruz.

May 3, 2014: The 76th GKK Fiesta Celebration of Sta. Cruz was also the First Patronal Fiesta of Talicud Island. From then on, liturgical celebrations during Misa de Gallo and Holy Week were celebrated with a priest. The liturgical tradition of pilgrimage in the 14 GKK before the proper novena of the fiesta also started.

May 22, 2015: Signing of documents for the transfer of land title from Mr. and Mrs. Felix Saldaña Sr. to the church, Archdiocese of Davao, at the archbishop’s residence.

May 3, 2016: During the 78th GKK Fiesta Celebration, the 1st Kadaugan Festival was celebrated. It was also the 3rd Patronal Fiesta of Talicud Island.

June 2016: Through the instruction of Archbishop Romulo G. Valles, D.D., Archbishop of Davao, Fr. Rico P. Enriquez, who was the parish priest of Sto. Niño Parish, Kaputian, started to stay on Talicud Island to prepare for its canonical establishment. He stayed at the convent of Sta. Cruz Chapel as his temporary residence in Talicud Island.

August 21, 2016: Canonical Establishment of Sta. Cruz Parish, Archdiocese of Davao, Talicud Island, Island Garden City of Samal at 10:00 a.m. At the same time, the installation of the 1st parish priest, Fr. Rico P. Enriquez by Most Rev. Romulo G. Valles, D.D., Archbishop of Davao.