Ascension Parish celebrates fiesta uniquely

HOW can a parish celebrate its fiesta in observance of the Year of the Poor? This was a challenge posed to the Ascension of the Lord Parish parishioners as they celebrated 14th parochial fiesta meaningfully.

Themed, “Look at Jesus’ Ascension: A Life and Mission of the Church of the Poor,” the community, led by its parish priest, Fr. Leonardo Dublan, Jr., decided to deviate from the usual activity of only doling out goods to the poor.

The parish exposed its parishioners to different social institutions in Davao City. Started last April 18, three different groups of assigned GKKs and parish ministries visited Davao City Jail, Home for Girls and Women, and Balay Pasilungan. A day after, other groups visited two orphanages which is run by the Sorelle Missionaries Dell’amore di Cristo (SMAC) and Missionaries of Charity. Last April 25, the last four groups visited the Rehabilitation Center for Drug Dependents (RCDD), Kids of Hope, Home for the Aged and the Badjao Community.

The groups were given an orientation by the institution’s staff. They performed and listened to different stories of the residents. The activity was an invitation to be one with the poor by giving reverence for human beings, treating society’s most vulnerable people well, and putting the needs of the poor first. (Rochelle Priete)