Celebrating Faith: Highlights from Archbishop Valles’ Visit to San Pablo Parish

The three-day Pastoral Visit began on August 19 with a sunny and vibrant welcome ceremony, where the parishioners eagerly greeted the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Davao, Most Rev. Romulo G. Valles, D.D. White and yellow ribbons, symbolizing the Vatican flag, were waved, and many took the opportunity to take selfies with Archbishop Valles. Youth from various schools and ministries delighted everyone with their dance performances, while the rondalla’s rendition of “We Give Our Yes” served as a powerful reminder of our commitment to Jesus mission.

Following this, the Holy Mass was celebrated, and the Archbishop provided an overview of the pastoral visit. He shared, “The Bishop’s pastoral visit is more intense, longer, and involves more time. The approach is to listen to you, to observe you, and to hear from you—the GKK leaders, priests, leaders of religious organizations, and the youth—so that I can sense the fervor of your faith. The pastoral visit is like taking the pulse of the parish to gauge the vitality of faith. I want to hear stories of faith, not only to encourage you but also to be encouraged myself. This shows that the faith is strong and alive, and that the people of San Pablo, along with your priest, are striving to live their faith in God.” He added a reflection on the readings for that day, noting that we should seek treasures in heaven rather than those that are visible and tangible. Although this journey may be ongoing, we are called to continually connect with God and place our complete trust in Him. This, he emphasized, is where we find true, unseen joy. Dialogue with the parishioners began shortly after the Mass. The one-hour conversation with the Archbishop was truly memorable. They were able to share their faith-based experiences and ask questions regarding their roles as GKK Servant Leaders (GSL).

The listening journey continued on the second day as Archbishop Muloy, as he is fondly called, visited two Gagmayn’g Kristohanong Katilingban (GKK) chosen by the Parish Priest Fr. Allan T. Rodriguez: San Roque, Matina Crossing of Zone 1, and San Juan Bautista, Isla Suerte of Zone 11. This reflects the Parish’s commitment to answer Pope Francis call to reach out to the marginalized and those living on the peripheries of society. The GKK prepared for the Holy Mass and gathered to attend the momentous event. They consistently showed their love for the Church’s pastors, and despite the exhausting preparations, they took the time to prepare and serve their favorite dishes. The community of San Juan Bautista, Isla Suerte of Zone 11 had the chance to share their experiences and ask questions relevant to their faith and experiences as GSLs.

The final day of the visit was dedicated to the vibrant youth and parish staff. The youthful energy was evident among the crowd. Keith Estrella, who was once an active youth coordinator and is now a Pangulo sa Katilingban, gave a truly inspiring account of his journey from a young servant leader to a forefront figure in their GKK. Moreover, the youth’s relevant questions about dealing with their seniors combined with the Bishop’s witty answers, led to smiles. The pastoral visit ended with a celebratory gathering and dinner with the youth and a heartfelt dialogue with the parish staff. (Karen V. Sison)