The invitation by bishops to take on the direction of parishes was seen as a call of Divine Providence, which our Founder believed that the Oblates should humbly obey. In line with this respectful collaboration with local Ordinaries, the Congregation continues to administrate parishes, seeking to attend to areas of greatest need, so as to preserve its charism of availability.
Art. 73, OSJ Constitutions
17th General Chapter (2018) Edition
Vatican City, November 25, 2001
San Luis Parish
Hacienda San Luis, Cauayan City, Isabela
It was September 8, 1739 when a group of Dominican missionaries landed in Turayong, a barangay of this town which was later named Cauayan. From the very start of their mission work, the missionaries managed to convert to the Christian Faith some 140 Gaddangs, the pioneer inhabitants of this city.
In the year 1741 the Dominican authorities during their general chapter in Manila, declared this mission in Cauayan a full-fledged parish. It was dedicated to Our Lady of the Pillar commonly known as Nuestra Señora del Pilar in the old days. It was only in 1912 when the secular priests began to administer the parish.
With the growing pastoral demand especially in the forest barangays, there was a need to create a new parish. Thus, toward the end of 2013 the plan was conceptualized. Brgy. San Luis was chosen as the seat of the would-be-parish. Aside from this barangay, these barangays will comprise the new parish: Andarayan, Baco, Bugallon, Buyon, Cabugao, Casalatan, San Pablo, Cassap Fuera, Catalina, De Vera, Dianao, Dissimuray, Gappal, Linglingay, Maligaya, Manaog, Nagcampegan, Santa Maria, Sinippil, Union, Villa Luna, Villa Concepcion and Villaflor.
The bishop of the Diocese of Ilagan, Isabela, Most Rev. Joseph Nacua, OFMCap, DD, then invited the Oblates of St. Joseph to administer the new parish. Thus, on March 9, 2014, the San Luis Parish was formally inaugurated by the Franciscan bishop. He also installed the first pastor of the parish, Rev. Fr. Jeremias Cala, OSJ. Rev. Fr. Elino Comanda, OSJ was appointed as his parochial vicar. This momentous occasion was also witnessed by a number of OSJ priests headed by the provincial superior, Rev. Fr. Noel Magtaas, OSJ and other priests of the diocese.
Schedule
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays 6:00 PM (Filipino)
‐‐‐
1st, 3rd and 5th Sundays 9:00 AM (Ilokano)
‐‐‐
2nd Sundays 9:00 AM (English)
‐‐‐
4th Sundays 9:00 AM (Filipino)
San Antonio de Padua Parish
Brgy. San Antonio, Ilagan City, Isabela
Located near the Pinacanauan de Ilagan-Abuan River Delta, Hacienda de San Antonio was the center of operations of the Compañía General de Tabacos de Filipinas (Tabacalera) in the 19th century until the middle of the 20th century in Isabela, the source of "La Flor de Isabela" cigars. The hacienda was named after Don Antonio Lopez y Lopez, probably the first administrator of San Antonio.
Don Agustin Orros was the administrator of the Hacienda San Antonio from the late 19th to the early 20th century who constructed the present Casa Administracion and the Chapel. Fr. Julian Malumbres, OP described that the Chapel, Images, and the Stations of the Cross were of artistic quality and they were the most beautiful in the Cagayan Valley Region (see Malumbres, Historia de la Isabela, pp. 597-98). The furnishings were made by a Batangueño sculptor named Eustaquio de Casanova who also made the furnishings of the chapel of Malunut (Maluno). The hacienda chapel, which is under the patronage of San Anthony of Padua, was constructed in 1914 and it was administered by a Spanish secular priest D. Guillermo Coss. Don Agustin went back to Spain and he was succeeded by Don Pedro Zabaljauregui. The beautiful chapel mentioned by Malumbres is now gone and a modern structure, now serving as parish church of San Antonio, has been built on that spot. The chapel bell of the hacienda is now mounted outside the Casa Administracion building.
Parish's image of St. Anthony of Padua
In the 20th century, the administration of the Casa Administracion of Hacienda San Antonio was transferred first to the Provincial Government of Isabela and later to the Diocese of Ilagan. Hacienda San Antonio has been a center of disputes between the owners of the Tabacalera, the Government, and the Tenants. The Casa Administracion building has been since transformed into a museum and retreat center. Hacienda San Antonio is now a barrio of Ilagan City and since 1998, an independent parish of the Diocese of Ilagan under the patronage of St. Anthony of Padua.
On September 14, 2019, Most Rev. David William V. Antonio, Bishop of the Diocese of Ilagan entrusted the pastoral care of the Parish to the Oblates of St. Joseph. Rev. Fr. Ronald Medrano, OSJ was appointed as parish priest with Rev. Fr. Gail Daven Castillo, OSJ as parochial vicar.
The newly constructed convent "Balai ni Santo Marello"On Februar 2, 2022, the new Parish Rectory was blessed. It was named in honor of the founder of the Oblates of St. Joseph and thus dubbed as "Balai ni Santo Marello."
The pioneer batch of Marello's Altar Knights and Marellettes of the Parish
The newly blessed Parish Rectory, "Balai ni Santo Marello"
Schedule
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays 6:00 PM (Filipino)
‐‐‐
1st, 3rd and 5th Sundays 9:00 AM (Ilokano)
‐‐‐
2nd Sundays 9:00 AM (English)
‐‐‐
4th Sundays 9:00 AM (Filipino)
San Lorenzo Ruiz Parish
Brgy. Wawa, Bayambang, Pangasinan
Barangay Wawa is situated in the southern part of Bayambang along the national road going to Manila. The people are God-fearing and endeavors a common cause for the realization of construction of a chapel in the year 1970. It was located in the eastern part of the barangay, but due to natural calamity, a big flood on 1972, the chapel was eroded and transferred to the southern part of the barangay.
With their love, faith and generosity the people laid another foundation of the chapel. Another construction was done on the northern part of the barangay where the church is currently situated. Known with big hearts, a concerted efforts of the residents of Wawa donated an image of Nuestra Señora de Monserrat and became the patron saint. This began the annual celebration of Barangay fiesta every 25th day of April. Known for their solidarity the people of Wawa who resides in Manila, others work in Hong Kong as OFWs, the officers and members of the Wawa Young Generation, Association, Pastoral Council, Prayer Warriors and Civic Oriented people worked hand in hand for the renovation of the chapel.
On the eve Mass of December 31, 2006 presided by the Most Reverend Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz, the people of Wawa received a good news. The announcement of San Lorenzo Ruiz to chaplaincy brought great joy to the people of Wawa and nearby barangays.
The new chaplaincy comprises (12) twelve neighboring barangays: Wawa, Darawey, Pugo, San Gabriel 1st, Paragos, San Vicente, Tampog, Warding, Managos, Ambayat 1st, Ambayat 2nd, and Dusoc. All the people of these barangays showed their happiness and eagerness on the pronouncement of Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz. As chaplaincy, celebration of masses were done four times a week, on Wednesdays at 4:30 pm, Fridays at 7:30am, Saturdays at 7:30am; and two (2) masses on Sundays at 7:30am, and 8:30am.
Filipino Protomartyr, Patron Saint of the Parish
The former patron saint, Nuestra Señora de Monserrat was replaced to San Lorenzo Ruiz- the First Filipino Canonized Saint. The image was donated by Mr. & Mrs. Virgilio/ Rowena Macaraeg of Wawa, Bayambang, Pangasinan. However the faith and love to the former patron saint was still on the hearts of the parishioners manifested on the enthronement of her image near the altar.
From that time onwards more blessings overflowed. Progress and development poured out through the abled leadership of Fr. Reydentor G. Mejia, the first priest installed as chaplain. Different church organizations started such as Apostleship of Prayer, Catechist, Youth Ministry, Core Group, Lay Ministers and the Church Choir.
It was a great challenge to the parishioners of San Lorenzo Chaplaincy when Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz announced the hosting of Christ The King Celebration 2008. Rev. Fr. Reydentor G. Mejia shepherded the flocks, inspired everyone to become witnesses of Christ's love. The twelve barangays collaborated their efforts to make the celebration a success and worth remembering. Several projects and activities were initiated by Fr. Reydentor G. Mejia such as the (1) construction of the convent, (2) improvement of the church altar, ceiling & patio (3) candelaria and pathway. He served and stayed in the parish for almost six (6) years.
Archbishop Socrates Villegas canonically erected the San Lorenzo Ruiz Chaplaincy as Parish on March 19, 2010 having Rev.Fr. Reydentor G. Mejia as the first Parish Priest.
On August 6, 2012 came the installation of Rev.Fr. Edilberto Calderon who stayed in the parish for a short period of time. However the formation in the parish especially the youth ministry were strengthened and given emphasis.
The third Parish Priest, Rev.Fr. Jasper Hebron was installed on November 11, 2013. Like the aforementioned priests who stayed in the Parish, much love, respect, cooperation and wider knowledge and ideas were inculcated especially with his homilies that are very much related to our daily life. Renovations in the church convent, belfry, kneelers, and office were improved. Seminarians were welcomed during their summer apostolates.
Archbishop Socrates then invited the Congregation of the Oblates of St. Joseph to administer the parish. On February 11, 2018, Rev. Fr. Edcel Silva, OSJ was installed as the new Parish Priest accompanied by Bro. Julius Amarillo, OSJ. Since then, many improvements and developments were accomplished in the Parish such as two-storey formation and youth building in front of the church, renovation of the convent, office, purchased of furnitures, repair of kneelers, renovation of the altar, and candelaria.
As the Parish prepares for the 10th Year Anniversary Celebration, Retablo was constructed in January 2020. This serves as a gift of the parishioners to the Parish. At present, parishioners continuously walk on their faith with the guidance of the members of the Oblates of St. Joseph.
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At present two confreres are assigned in the parish, Rev. Fr. Edcel Silva, OSJ as their pastor and Rev. Fr. Edmar Olaivar, OSJ as his pastoral assistant.
Schedule
Holy Mass Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays
6:15 AM (Filipino)
‐‐‐ Wednesdays and First Fridays
6:00 PM (Filipino)
‐‐‐ Sundays
8:00 AM (Filipino)
Novena to St. Joseph Wednesdays
5:00 PM
‐‐‐ Holy Hour First Fridays
7:00 AM
When Msgr. Socrates Villegas, DD, was appointed and installed as the third bishop of the Diocese of Balanga, Bataan, he immediately reached out to the Oblates of St. Joseph and invited them to help him in ministering the needs of his faithful. In an interview printed in the Marellian Today, he shared why he called the OSJs to Bataan, "When I came to Bataan the first thing I noticed was there are no religious men which, for me, is quite abnormal because my vocation as a priest has been enriched by my friendshio with religious priests and brothers. And also, the patron saint of the Diocese is St. Joseph. So I wrote your Provincial, Fr. Noel, and I said I need help. I explained to him the situation and that our patron saint is St. Joseph and we share a common vision so why don't you come over. The devotion to St. Joseph is strong in the diocese and I know the Oblates of St. Joseph would be able to help us promote that devotion."
On October 27, 2004, Bishop Soc presided over the Eucharistic celebration marking the formal opening of the OSJ mission in Bataan.
Barely two weeks after the landmark opening, Bishop Soc speedily erected two new parishes to be administered by the missionaries.
One of them is Sto. Niño Parish which was carved out from the two already existing parishes of San Nicholas de Tolentino in Mariveles and San Jose Manggagawa in Cabcaben. It comprises 12 barangays and sitios, namely: Alas-asin, Sisiman, Baseco, Jericho, E-road, Karagatan, Aguawan, Marina Beach, Heroes Ridge, Dinginin, Topside and Breakwater.
The new parish is largely a coastal area which has a splendid view of the historic Corregidor Island, said to be the last place in the Philippines to surrender to the Japanese aggressors.
Rev. Fr. Norman Rodrigo Banzuela, Jr., OSJ was appointed to be its first parish priest and assisted by Rev. Fr. Eladio Lizada, OSJ.
Schedule
Holy Mass Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays
6:30 AM (Filipino)
‐‐‐ Wednesdays and Fridays
5:30 PM (Filipino)
‐‐‐ Sundays
6:30 AM (Filipino)
9:00 AM (Filipino)
San Isidro Labrador Parish
Brgy. Nagwaling, Pilar, Bataan
When Msgr. Socrates Villegas, DD, was appointed and installed as the third bishop of the Diocese of Balanga, Bataan, he immediately reached out to the Oblates of St. Joseph and invited them to help him in ministering the needs of his faithful. In an interview printed in the Marellian Today, he shared why he called the OSJs to Bataan, "When I came to Bataan the first thing I noticed was there are no religious men which, for me, is quite abnormal because my vocation as a priest has been enriched by my friendship with religious priests and brothers. And also, the patron saint of the Diocese is St. Joseph. So I wrote your Provincial, Fr. Noel, and I said I need help. I explained to him the situation and that our patron saint is St. Joseph and we share a common vision so why don't you come over. The devotion to St. Joseph is strong in the diocese and I know the Oblates of St. Joseph would be able to help us promote that devotion."
On October 27, 2004, Bishop Soc presided over the Eucharistic celebration marking the formal opening of the OSJ mission in Bataan.
Barely two weeks after the landmark opening, Bishop Soc speedily erected two new parishes to be administered by the missionaries.
One of them is San Isidro Parish in Brgy. Nagwaling, Pilar Bataan. Rev. Fr. Gabriel Gerardo Kamus, OSJ was appointed as its first parish priest with Rev. Fr. Dennis Venus OSJ as his assistant.
San Isidro Parish covers eight barangays curved out from its mother parish, the Nuestra Señora del Pilar. The barangays are, namely: Alauli, Nagwaling, Diwa, Liyang, Batangas Tres, Pantingan, Cabog-cabog, Dangcol and Tanato.
Within the area of the parish, the more renowned Mt. Samat can be found. Located on top of which is nestled the historical marker, Dambana ng Kagitingan, commemorating one of the last heroic stands of the Filipino and American troops against advancing Japanese forces.
The Joseph Marello Youth of the Parish
Directly beside it is a 40-hectare-forest reserve given by the bishop to the care of the OSJ and is an ideal spot for youth campsites.
The parish is just a short 15-minute drive from Balanga City, the capital of Bataan. One of them is Sto. Niño Parish which was carved out from the two already existing parishes of San Nicholas de Tolentino in Mariveles and San Jose Manggagawa in Cabcaben. It comprises 12 barangays and sitios, namely: Alas-asin, Sisiman, Baseco, Jericho, E-road, Karagatan, Aguawan, Marina Beach, Heroes Ridge, Dinginin, Topside and Breakwater.
Schedule
Holy Mass Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays
6:30 AM (Filipino)
‐‐‐ Wednesdays and Fridays
5:30 PM (Filipino)
‐‐‐ Sundays
6:30 AM (Filipino)
8:00 AM (Filipino)
San Jose Parish
Brgy. New San Jose, Dinalupihan, Bataan
In 1947, an old woman in the name of Dorotea Sarmiento Dabu thought of building a small chapel on the same location where the present Church lies. She donated her own land to actualize the Chapel and the statue of St. Joseph was donated by Bading Salvador. It was the start of attracting people of New San Jose to the Christian faith that whenever a plague would come, people carried St. Joseph throughout the whole barangay asking for protection and providential guidance.
In 1970, the small chapel was made concrete but because of the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in 1991, the chapel was heavily damaged.
In 1992, the people of New San Jose reconstructed the chapel that on Saturdays even it was unfinished yet, a priest would come to celebrate Mass.
Originally, the parish belonged to St. John the Baptist Parish of the town proper. Due to its vast area, the six barangays were seldom ministered. Thus early on in 2005, plans of making it into a new parish arose. Come December 12, Rev. Fr. Eladio Lizada, OSJ was transferred from the Sto. Niño Parish, Mariveles, Bataan to the new parish, just in time for the Misa Aguinaldo. The appointed parish priest, Rev. Fr. Perseverando Marquez, Jr., OSJ was still finishing his term as OSJ Vocation Director. He assumed his new assigment on January 15, 2006. It was erected as a parish by Most Rev. Socrates Villegas and entrusted its administration and care to the Oblates of St. Joseph. The parish was consecrated on its feast day, March 19, 2006.
The interior of the Church
The parish covers six relatively big barangays namely: Bayanbayanan (with an Aeta community), Sapang Balas, Dalao, Pita (Sta. Lucia), Old San Jose and New San Jose. Each of these has its respective chapel where mass is celebrated once or twice a week. These chapels also serve as venues for most of the formation programs, recollections or seminar-workship of different parochial and other religious organizations.
Though relatively young, the parish has already organized and celebrate the annual "Tungkod" Festival as part of their parochial fiesta.
The parish church is currently acknowledged as the first and only airconditioned church in the diocese and thus has become one of the most sought wedding churches in Bataan.
Schedule
Holy Mass Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays
6:15 AM (Filipino)
‐‐‐ Wednesdays and First Fridays
6:00 PM (Filipino)
‐‐‐ Sundays
8:00 AM (Filipino)
St. Joseph Marello Parish
Marigman Road, Brgy. San Roque, Antipolo City
The Oblates of St. Joseph have been serving the faithful of the City of Antipolo since 1978 through the administration of St. Anthony of Padua Parish.
In grateful recognition of their pastoral service, the bishop of the Diocese of Antipolo, Most. Rev. Francisco de Leon, DD, entrusted a new parish to the care of the Province. Furthermore, he dedicated the patronage of the parish to St. Joseph Marello, the Founder of the Congregation.
The new parish was culled from the Mother Parish of Antipolo Cathedral, the National Shrine of Our Lady of Peace And Good Voyage. The canonical dedication was held on November 25, 2017, on the occasion of the anniversy of the Founder's canonization. Rev. Fr. Rex Alday was also installed as the first parish priest with Rev. Fr. Rafael Neil Hernandez, OSJ as his pastoral assistant.
At present the parish community is working to build a bigger parish church in a lot that was donated to the Diocese of Antipolo.
Some members of the Marello's Altar Knights and Marellettes of the Parish
Schedule
Holy Mass Mondays to Saturdays
6:15 AM
‐‐‐ Sundays
6:00 AM
10:00 AM
5:00 PM
St Anthony de Padua Parish
Brgy. Inarawan, Antipolo City
In 1978, the late Rev. Fr. Guido Coletti, OSJ received a relatively vast lot, donated by a parishioner from
Greenhills, Mandaluyong, the late Don Antonio Zuarregui, Sr. It was located along the slope of a hill near Marcos Highway,
Antipolo, Rizal.
At first, there were some apprehensions in establishing it as a parish due to a relatively thin population around the perimeter of the church.
But Fr. Guido saw its potential. The parish was named St. Anthony of Padua.
The Archdiocese of Manila designated it as a quasi-parish. At the back of the Church, the OSJ Novitiate House was also established (until today the church is still known as "Seminaryo").
The OSJ priests assigned even reached as far as Boso-boso to the east and Masinag to the west.
Literally speaking, there are five parishes that were erected within this area of ministry: St. John Marie Vianney Parish (Brgy. Mambungan), Sto. Niño de Praga Parish(Brgy. Bagong Nayon),
Diocesan Shrine and Parish of St. Therese of the Child Jesus (Masinag), Nuestra Señora de la Anunciata Parish (Boso-boso), and
Blessed Lodovico Pavoni Parish (Brgy. Mambugan).
St. Anthony of Padua, Patron of the Parish
Due to some legalities with the donation of the lot, the church was only recognized and consecrated as a Parish in 2003 by the Diocese of Antipolo.
Rev. Fr. Delbert Jardinaso, OSJ was its first installed parish priest.
At present, it serves in the following barangays and villages: Brgy. Langhaya, Brgy. Inarawan, Forest Hills, Brgy. Cabading, Brgy. Puting Bato and Bagong Nayon II.
Schedule
Holy Mass Mondays to Fridays
6:15 AM (Filipino)
‐‐‐ Saturdays
6:15 AM
5:00 PM
‐‐‐ Sundays
6:00 AM (Filipino)
7:15 AM (Filipino)
8:30 AM (Filipino)
9:45 AM (English)
1:00 PM (Funeral Mass)
5:00 PM (Filipino)
6:15 PM (Filipino)
Baptism Sundays
11:00 AM
Novena to St. Anthony of Padua Tuesdays
After the 6:15 AM Mass
‐‐‐ Novena to St. Joseph Wednesdays
Before the 6:15 AM Mass
‐‐‐ Novena to St. Joseph Marello Thursdays
After the 6:15 AM Mass
St. Peter the Fisherman Parish
Brgy. Napindan, Taguig City
The parish of St. Peter the Fisherman in Napindan, Taguig City was a former mini-parish (chapel) located in a small lot near the banks of the Pasig river going to Laguna de Bay.
There were only a few number of Roman Catholic devotees for the reason that there were a number of religious groups in the area namely: Protestants, Aglipayans, Iglesia ni Cristo, Bethel and others. Catholic priests who celebrate mass in the chapel were coming from a not so far (more than half a kilometer) parish named after St. John the Baptist (Dambanang Kawayan).
When the chapel was razed by fire on May 17, 1990, Sunday masses were celebrated in house garages, vacant lots, and other available rented spaces. The visiting priests would not receive stipends for the reason that they wanted the people to exert efforts to build another chapel. With this situation, six (6) devoted laywomen namely; Milagros Talampas, Celia Panganiban, Adelina San Pedro, Erlinda Figueroa, and (+)Natividad Sumulong joined efforts to look for a bigger and better place for the church. They have found a preferable site of a nearby rice field but the problem is the lack of enough funds to buy the lot. Rev. Fr. Ardie Ong learned about the predicament and offered help by bringing the problematic situation to the late
Archbishop of Manila, (+)Jaime Cardinal Sin. Soon the aforementioned active laywomen grew in number as they were joined by (+)Lina Santos, Caring Cruz, Ely Valencia and others to pursue the project.
St. Peter the Fisherman, Patron of the Patrish
The Cardinal agreed to respond to the need by purchasing the 1,400 sqm lot. After some time, the cornerstone was laid after the owner of the prospected lot was convinced by the late Cardinal to sell it for the erection of a parish church. The agreement of the parishioners with the Cardinal was that a parochial school shall be established and that the parish church's patron saint shall be named after St. Peter the Fisherman. All seemed to be established but there came another problem, how to begin the construction without enough means. Msgr. Isidro Jose offered to help the parishioners by introducing the philanthropist businessman Mr. Rafael Dizon and soliciting help from him for the preliminary steps of the church's construction. The parishioners continued to join efforts to be able to pursue the project. Friends and relatives of the lay faithful from distances were asked for help, solicitations and all kinds of raffles and contests were held in order to raise funds. In God's due time the parish was erected and Rev. Fr. Jacinto "Jack" Padua was assigned as the first priest and pastor of the parish. He used his efforts to provide the immediate needs that can be utilized in order for the parish to function efficiently.
With the help of his friend, Sister Fe (a religious nun), a nursery and kindergarten school was established annex to the church edifice. From then on so many priests were assigned to serve as pastor to the growing number of Catholics in Napindan. Most of them were diocesan priests namely: Fr. Mariano Baranda, Fr. Felicisimo Tarrosa, Fr. Nicandro Lim (in whose term the operation of the parochial school was closed), Fr. Rey Reyes and Fr. Alvin Habab.
On January 2012, the Oblates of St. Joseph responded to the diocese's invitation to serve the Parish of St. Peter the Fisherman.
Schedule
Holy Mass Mondays to Saturdays
6:30 AM (Filipino)
‐‐‐ Sundays
8:00 AM
10:00 PM
‐‐‐
Santuario de San Jose Parish
Greenhills East, Mandaluyong City
Greenhills in the sixties was neither hilly nor green but the developers thought "Greenhills"was an attractive name so it was. In 1961, the Ortigas Company donated 5,030 sqm lot for the construction of the church provided that it is semi-concrete and construction for the church will start a year from date of donation and be completed within three years.
However, Rufino Cardinal Santos, archbishop of Manila, had difficulty in the past to permit building a church in the subdivision since 2.4 kilometers from the site there is the parish of St. Francis of Assisi of the Capuchins. The Oblates intended to accept the donation and erect there a sanctuary and a seminary. In December 16, 1961, Fr. Guido Coletti, OSJ, in behalf of the Oblates, sent a letter to Cardinal Santos requesting permission to establish a Community House in the Archdiocese to facilitate the continuation of the studies of the seminarians studying in San Jose Seminary. As soon as the Cardinal granted his permission the Company approved the donation of the site in Greenhills. The Mañosa family who are friends of Fr. Visintainer offered their help in conceiving the architectural design of the project.
St. Joseph enshrined in the Parish Church
The condition asked by the company was not immediately met due to financial constraints. For thirty months, five times a week and dressed in black sotana, Fr. Guido, all the way from Batangas where he was assigned that time, kept coming to Manila to solicit contributions. Eventually, he raised enough fund to begin the construction.
When the church was copletely built together with the seminary and rectory behind it, the new temple of God was blessed on April 12, 1966. But even before it was finished the first Misa de Gallo was already celebrated on December 16, 1965 with the La Salle Brothers singing during the Mass. What is now the mortuary used to be the chapel of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel where daily masses were celebrated although the Sunday Eucharist is celebrated inside the uncompleted Church. In March, 1967 it became a parish with the initial 3,500 parishioners, some coming from Wack-wack Village, White Plains and areas near Camp Crame. Fr. Guido was appointed as the first parish priest.
Being alone at the beginning, several priests came to help him. They were the late famous Jose delos Santos from La Vista, Quezon City and Fr. Federico Lano, OSJ. With more parishioners coming in he had to get the assistance of the newly ordained priests like Fr. Alfredo Piad, OSJ, Fr. Constantino Conti, OSJ, Fr. Ray dela Cruz, OSJ, Fr. Ed Bayani, OSJ, Fr. Celso Alcantara, OSJ, Fr. Pacifico Ortiz, SJ and Fr. Francis Siguan, OSJ.
In order to give time for Fr. Guido to concentrate on his new projects, Fr. Conti was assigned to replace him as Parish Priest in June 1989. Fr. Conti served as its pastor until 1996. After being the provincial superior of the Philippine Province, Rev. Fr. Napoleon Jinon, OSJ was appointed as the third parish priest. After eight years, in 2004, Rev. Fr. Venancio Silva, OSJ succeeded him. In May 2007, Fr. Noel B. Magtaas became the fifth parish priest. Three years after, in 2010, Rev. Fr. Maximo Sevilla, Jr. was appointed as the new parish priest. From 2013 to 2019, the parish was spearheaded by Rev. Fr. Aleixius Magtibay, OSJ.Then for almost a year, Rev. Fr. Adonis Mamuyac, OSJ became its pastor (2019-2020). He was replaced by Rev. Fr. Gerbert Cabaylo, OSJ who served until 2022. Since 2022, Rev. Fr. Edwin V. Tolentino has been appointed as its pastor.
Chapel of the Holy Family inside the Greenhills Mall, San Juan City
Fr. Guido's dream for the Province has been realized. Today, the parish serves Northeast Greenhills, Greenhills East, North Greenhills and the chapels of Greenhills Mall(Holy Family Chapel) and of Brgy. West Crame, San Juan City (Sacred Heart Chapel and Immaculate Conception Chapel). It is also included among the top ten wedding Churches in Metro Manila.
On March 19, 2017, the parish has celebrated its golden jubilee.
Schedule
Holy Mass
Parish Church Mondays to Fridays
7:15 AM (English)
6:15 PM (English)
‐‐‐ Saturdays
7:15 AM (English)
6:15 PM (English / Anticipated Mass)
‐‐‐ Sundays
6:00 AM (Filipino)
7:15 AM (English)
8:30 AM (English)
10:00 AM (English)
11:15 AM (English)
12:30 PM (English)
6:15 PM (English)
7:30 PM (English)
L'Annunziata Parish
Victoria Homes, Brgy. Tunasan, Muntinlupa City
For almost three decades ago, atop a captivating hill at the heart of Victoria Homes Subdivision, in the southernmost part of Tunasan, Muntinlupa, a cathedral type Church was beginning to Rise.
The said Church now known as L'Annunziata Parish was named by the late Italian priest, Rev. Fr. Guido Coletti, OSJ after "The Annunciation onto Mary." It was September 1981 when the hallmark of Victoria Homes, specifically at Jade Heights, that the construction of the Church started. There were only few families in the subdivision that time. It has been the cherished desire of the Congregation of the Oblates of St. Joseph to dedicate a Church in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Out of this dream, L'Annunziata Church was born. The building was made possible through the help of the Congregation of the Oblates of St. Joseph, and the parioshers of Santuario de San Jose, Greenhills, where Fr. Guido was the Parish Priest, and through the generosity of his close friends. Imploring the aid of the Divine Providence, the construction of the "Cathedral of the South" by word of mouth of the pasersby, lasted for only three years. From then on, the Church became a popular wedding church, a solemn place for prayer and venue for liturgical functions where one can feel God's presence.
Patronal image enshrined in the Parish Church
In 1984, the vicar forane of Muntinlupa, Very Rev. Tom Gonzales, expressed to Rev. Fr. Napoleon Jinon, OSJ, the priest-in-charge of the church, the desire of the Archdiocese of Manila to create the community of Victoria Homes Subdivision as a parish. On December 15, 1984, during his audience with His Eminence Jaime Cardinal Sin, Rev. Fr. Constantino Conti, OSJ, accepted on behalf of the Congregation the offer of creating L'Annunziata as a Parish.
The Church was finally consecrated on June 27, 1984 by Most Rev. Dante Frasnelli, OSJ, Bishop of Huari, Peru and assisted by the Rev. Fr. Severino Dalmaso, OSJ who was then the Superior General.
Since then, the Congregation has been assigning priests and brothers to serve vigorously and untiringly the interests of Jesus.
Schedule
Holy Mass
Parish Church Mondays to Saturdays
6:30 AM
‐‐‐ Sundays
6:30 AM
9:00 AM
4:30 PM
Christ the King Parish
Brgy. GSIS, San Pedro City, Laguna
The parish of Christ The King began with the inauguration of the GSIS- Holiday Hills Village in 1972. This is the first subdivision in San Pedro, Laguna established for GSIS members who were mostly government employees and military personnel. Initially, the village was made a part of the San Pedro Apostol Parish, whose church is quite a distance from the village.
As more villagers settled in the subdivision, they started to invite military chaplains to say mass at the village multi-purpose center. Eventually the newly organized homeowners' association built and completed a chapel in November, 1976. The homeowners voted to adopt Christ The King as their titular patronage. Bishop Pedro Bantigue officiated the enthronement during the first village fiesta. (As of this date, this is the only parish in the Diocese of San Pablo that is dedicated to the titular patronage of Christ the King.)
To prepare for the accommodation of a priest promised by Bishop Bantigue, the homeowners proceeded to construct the first convent. True to his commitment, Bishop Bantigue assigned a total of five priests to serve the community from 1976 to 1983.
On November 19,1983, Bishop Bantigue decreed the canonical erection of Christ the King Parish consisting of the GSIS-Holiday Hills Village, El Nor Subdivision, Adelina 1,1-A and 1-B subdivisions, Holiday Homes, SSS Village, Fiesta Homes, Holiday Hills Stock and Breeding Farm, the Sisters of Mary Immaculate and the Ursuline Sisters of Somasca. Rev. Fr. Marceline stayed on as administrator until 1985.
The newly installed retablo in the Church's sanctuary
In 1987, the Oblates of St. Joseph (OSJ) started their spiritual ministry at the CTK Parish.
The present parish church was constructed in 1997 to replace the chapel constructed in 1976, to accommodate the increasing number of parishioners. The present three-storey convent was constructed in 2001.
In 1997, the villages of El Nor, Holiday Homes and Adelina were seperated from the parish to comprise the new parish dedicated to St. Martin de Porres.
But God was gracious to the parish. As subdivisions are built in the western part of San Pedro, new communities developed. Invariably their leaders asked for church services and the Bishop requested them to see the OSJ assigned to CTK. These have their own chapels and respective patron saints. They have their own schedules of masses. They celebrate the feast days of their patron saints, with the CTK OSJ priests actively overseeing all their religious activities. They likewise participate actively in all activities of the main CTK church. Their leaders also serve in the Parish Pastoral Council.
Schedule
Holy Mass Mondays
6:00 AM (English)
‐‐‐ Tuesdays to Fridays
6:30 PM (English)
‐‐‐ Saturdays
6:00 AM (Filipino)
6:30 PM (Filipino)
‐‐‐ Sundays
7:00 AM (Filipino)
6:30 PM (English)
Our Lady of Fatima Parish
Elvinda Village, Brgy. Fatima, San Pedro City, Laguna
Back in 1977, Sunday masses were held in the multi-purpose hall of the Elvinda Homeowners' Association (EVHAI) that was put up in an open space along Melenguas Street. The open space measures four hundred ninety-nine point eight (499.8) square meters. Subject lot was registered on December 30, 1974 in Calamba, Laguna under TCT Number 40386. Since most of the homeowners activities such as raffle, funeral parlor and others were held in the multi-purpose hall, an idea came to mind - to construct a chapel in the open space. The idea was a brainchild of the women from Elvinda Village, notably - Mrs. Norma Camello, Rosie Dacoco, Julie Chaves, Ester Garcia, Inday Tuya, Marina Uyyan and others. During his term as President of EVHAI in 1980, Mr. Tony Dacoco requested Mayor Felicisimo F. Vierneza and some municipal councilors that the open space be used by the homeowners for their varied activities. Mayor Vierneza promised to study the request. Mr. Danny Bernardo, President, offered to pay P20,000 for the lot.
On February 4, 1980, the ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of the chapel was held. A mass, presided by Rev. Fr. Jerry Bitoon, was celebrated before the ground-breaking. During the mass, there was heavy rainfall and strong wind, so strong that the makeshift altar was torn down. The head of the image of the Blessed Virgin broke, the image of St. Vincent Ferrer fell, and the hand of the Crucified Christ also broke. Construction of the temporary chapel continued through 1982 and Sunday masses were held there.
In June 1983, Engineer Romulo Gines, President of EVHAI, drew the master plan of the chapel. Funds used in construction came from the villagers' personal donations and fund-raising activities. In the same year, the chapel was finished through the homeowners' 'bayanihan' efforts. Additions and improvements to the chapel were done in 1984 through the EVHAI, under the leadership of Mr. Nestor Lopena, President; the Precious Blood of Jesus Charismatic Community, and Mr. and Mrs. Ulysses Lopez. Funds were raised through projects like beauty contest, raffle, bingo, and others.
On May 10, 1986, Rev. Fr. Jerry Bitoon blessed the facade of the chapel, with Mayor Calixto Cataquiz as sponsor.
Interior of the Parish Church
Meanwhile, the Elvinda Village Pastoral Council of the Laity passed a resolution that requested the municipal government of San Pedro for extension of the chapel lot to include the Napocor easement, covering an area of six hundred thirty (630) square meters. The extension will be used for the construction of a parish funeral parlor and a parking lot. On July 29, 1986, the formal request was sent to Mayor Calixto Cataquiz, through Atty. Rosendo Chaves. Starting September, 1986, Rev. Fr. Felix Celeste, OSJ and Rev. Fr. Jose Vidal Apin, OSJ celebrated mass in the chapel. Following their re-assignment to other parishes, Rev. Fr. Felipe Gagatiga, OSJ, took over. In March 1987, the Contract of Usufruct was signed by OIC Mayor Calixto R. Cataquiz and Atty. Rosendo Chaves, President of Elvinda Village Pastoral Council of the Laity.
On October 17, 1989, the Pastoral Council of the Laity, through Mr. Mar Acuesta, President, wrote Rev. Fr. Ben Pagsuyuin, parish priest of San Pedro Apostol, of its intention to form a parish. Fr. Pagsuyuin approved the request. The formal petition was submitted to Bishop Pedro N. Bantigue of the Diocese of San Pablo on November 7, 1990. The proposed parish will include Elvinda Village, Olivarez Homes, Console XII, Sibulo and Amante. It is bounded in the east by the creek near Pacita Complex II, in the west by Barangay San Vicente and in the north by the National Road, encompassing twenty-five (25) hectares, more or less.
On July 16, 1991, South City Homes in Biñan celebrated its 'fiesta'. Here Bishop Pedro N. Bantigue and Rev. Fr. Sancho Sison, OSJ met and discussed the petition by the Elvinda Village Pastoral Council of the Laity to establish a parish. In that discussion, Bishop Bantigue and Fr. Sancho both agreed to hold the Canonical Erection of Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Elvinda Village on August 18, 1991.At ten o' clock in the morning of August 18, 1991, the Canonical Erection of Our Lady of Fatima Parish was held and so was the installation of Rev. Fr. Sancho Sison, OSJ, Provincial Superior of the Oblates of St. Joseph, as the first parish priest.
After 20 years, the small chapel was finally replaced with a bigger church through their concerted efforts led by their parish priest, Rev. Fr. Venancio Silva, OSJ.
Schedule
Holy Mass
Parish Church Mondays to Fridays
6:00PM
‐‐‐ Saturdays
8:00 AM
‐‐‐ Sundays
6:00 AM
8:00 AM
Blessed Sacrament Parish
South City Homes, Biñan, Laguna
In the beginning the Catholic residents of South City Homes, Biñan, had any of the following places as focal points in the exercise of their spiritual obligtions: the multi-purpose cogon-covered circular hall at the entrance of the subdivision, the Holy Cross Church at Barrio San Vicente, the San Isidro Church in the Plaza of Biñan and for some, the San Jose Church in the town of Carmona.
This was so until 1985 when the Oblates of St. Joseph priests began to celebrate the first Misa Aguinaldo at the still
unfinished Blessed Sacrament Church. The soon-to-be-parish would be comprised of the subdivision itself, Loma, Lankiwa, Zapote and Timbao. The construction of the church was through the initiative of the late Rev. Fr. Guido Coletti, OSJ.
On May 11, 1986, in a solemn ceremony, the Blessed Sacrament Parish was formally inaugurated into a parish by the late Msgr. Pedro M. Bantique, DD, bishop of the Diocese of San Pablo. Rev. Fr. Edgardo Bayani, OSJ was installed as the first pastor.
Through the years of its existence, it saw the birth of another parish culled from its territorial jurisdiction: Parish of the Risen Lord, Town & Country Southville Subdivision (1993).
It also now extends its parochial ministries to relatively new subdivisions: Brentville, Dolce Vita and Jubiliation West.
Schedule
Holy Mass
Parish Church Mondays, Tuesday, Thursday and Fridays
6:00 PM
‐‐‐ Wednesdays
6:00 AM
‐‐‐ Saturdays
6:30 AM
6:00 PM (Anticipated Mass)
‐‐‐ Sundays
6:00 AM
8:00 AM
10:00 AM
6:00 PM
Archdiocesan Shrine and Parish of St. Joseph the Patriarch
San Jose, Batangas
Fr. Jose Victoria built the church in 1762. Together with the town, it was inaugurated on April 26, 1767, with a mass said Fr. Victoria. The Augustinian Chapter of May 9, 1767 named Fr. Agustin Horbegozo as the town's parish priest. Fr. Tomas Cañon replaced the old structure with one made of lime and pebbles. In 1790 the archbishop of Manila ordered the parish church of Batangas to give one of its old, dimanteled retablos to San Jose. Fr. Manuel Blanco in 1812 replace the original buildings with new ones made of masonry, he constructed the convento and began the work on the present church, but left in 1816 without seeing it completed. The church roof went up in flames in 1847 and was change to tile in 1849 by Fray Marcos Anton. A fire damaged both the church and convento in 1857. While the church underwent repairs, a new convento had to built. Fr. Ramon Sanchez took over the parish in 1856 and continued the restoration work on the church, with the completion of the convent and tower, he also added a baptistery to the church in 1868; that was fitted with a marble font in 1878. Fray Bruno Laredo(1870-1884) improved both church and convent, rebuilding the bamboo sacristy in stone, and commencing the work on the transept.During the term of Fr. Vicente Maril (1884-1887), the roof of the church was replaced by galvanized iron. Fr. Victoriano Perez (1890 to 1896) restored the L-shaped convent and completed works on the transept and dome.
The 1898 revolution expelled the Spanish friars from the Philippines, the last Spanish parish priest being Fray Manuel de Arostegui of the Order of Saint Augustine, bears the last entry on the Book of Baptism dated May 28, 1898. He was replaced by Fr. Vicente Jose Romero who became the parish priest of the town.
On April 1, 1899, the Filipino Secular priest Juan Gernonimo Luna, a native of the San Jose, was appointed parish priest.In 1900 American troops occupied the convento and converted it into a military hospital for some time. In 1911 there were no more Filipino priest available in San Jose, a Capuchin friar was called to administer the parish. From July 1911 to 1915, the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart stayed in San Jose, where they set up a small major seminary. The seminary was short-lived for the MSH left the diocese in 1915. Miraculous image of St. Joseph enshrined in the Church
In 1915, Bishop Giuseppe Petrelli invited the Oblates of St. Joseph. In his letter to the OSJ Superior, Fr. Giovanni Battista Cortona, the Bishop said, "They could reside in the parish house of San Jose, the central parish that I will give to the dear Oblates of St. Joseph." The fist Oblates arrived in Manila by ship on August 25, 1915 and took the train to San Jose where they were welcomed with the prolonged ringing of bells. Since then, they have been in charge of the parish of San Jose. Fr. Jose Anfossi became the parish priest, with the responsibility also for Cuenca, until his death in August 1921. Fr. Eugenio Gherlone immediately began the reconstruction of the church. His successor Fr. Luis Mortera finished the reconstruction of the church, which was beautified by paintings of St. Joseph, Fr. Luis was also responsible for the setting up the communion rails and lowering the windows for better light and ventilation.
In 1968 Fr. Lucio Aguilar and his parochial vicar Fr, Raymundo G. de La Cruz began a major reconstruction, The leaking roof was repaired, the windows lowered for more ventilation, the altar area and communion rails redecorated, new murals were painted, and was concluded by a blessing in April 26, 1970.
In 2000, the parish has retaken possession of the convent, which had long been used by the Cursillo movement as venue for its retreats. Fr. Ronulfo Alkonga, OSJ began the much needed repair on the roof and ceiling as well as a redesigning of the area to accommodate, among others, a parish museum. The church was beautified. The adoration chapel, and Jubilee stage were constructed. The altars were restored and additional murals, painted.
On March 19, 2001, during the term of Rev. Fr. Joey Apin, OSJ as parish priest, the church of San Jose was proclaimed by Archbishop Gaudencio Rosales as an Archdiocesan Shrine. In 2010, a prayer garden was inaugurated at the back of the church as well as an ossuary to serve as the resting place for all deceased OSJ priests in the country. From 1998 to 2012, the left wing of the church (the old convento) was totally restored.
Schedule
Holy Mass Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays
5:30 AM (Filipino)
‐‐‐ Wednesdays and Saturdays
5:30 AM (Filipino)
5:00 PM (Filipino)
‐‐‐ Sundays
5:00 AM (Filipino)
6:00 AM (Filipino)
7:30 AM (Filipino)
8:30 AM (Filipino)
10:00 AM (Filipino)
11:00 AM (Filipino)
5:00 PM (Filipino)
Baptism Saturdays and Sundays
9:00 AM
9:30 AM
10:00 AM
10:30 AM
11:00 AM
Novena to St. Joseph Wednesdays
5:00 AM
‐‐‐ Holy Hour Thursdays before First Friday
4:00 PM
Archdiocesan Shrine and Parish of St. James the Greater
Ibaan, Batangas
The Catholic church of Ibaan is among the oldest in the province of Batangas. According to the parish records, an illustrious Augustinian priest named Fr. Manuel Grijalbo, the first parish priest of Ibaan, took the initiative of establishing the first stone church in 1853. The original plan of the church was drawn by an architect named Luciano Oliver. It has a "cruciform" design that looked like a cross or crucifix, an iconic column facade in towers for the height. The attractive columns in the form of triangle pediment are at its highest peak in front. The town owes Father Vicente Maril a debt of gratitude for the introduction of this classic Tuscanic architecture in the design of the church columns. Construction was started in 1854 and was finished in 1869. In 1865, the two towers were constructed. The bell towers and church frontage were completed in 1876.
The church became too old to withstand the natural disasters that hit the town of Ibaan. It underwent several years of renovation and in their desire to beautify it, the church didn't look good and original as it was. The natural beauty of the old stone material was lost. Fr. Pedro Galente, OSA in his article, Angels in Stone, was saddened by the change in appearance of the church when it was renovated.
On May 29, 1890, there was a strong earthquake that destroyed the church. Fr. Francisco Alvarez, (OSA) was responsible for the renovation of the church from 1891-1896.
However, with the outbreak of the revolution, the Spanish friars left the country. Several Filipino priests took turns in taking care of the parish.
The Traditional Pagbati of the Parish
When the Diocese of Lipa was founded in 1910, there was a shortage of priests. Monsignor Joseph Petrelli, the first bishop of the Archdiocese invited the Congregation of the Oblates of Saint Joseph. Upon the arrival of the first OSJ missionaries in 1915, the parish was entrusted to Father Eugenio Gherlone, OSJ.He once wrote about Ibaan: "The Catholic community is fervent, assiduous for the church, for the Most Holy Sacrament and responds generously to the little things that the priest is able to do. The great church devoted to St. James, was filled with the faithful during sacred ceremonies, and with the help of the laity, was able to bring the comforts of the faith to the dying in the 25 barrios of the parish."
On June 16, 2022, the Church was elevated and declared as an archdiocesan shrine by His Excellency, Most Rev. Gilbert A. Garcera, DD, Archbishop of Lipa.
The church is known for its traditions of Bati and Dagit
Schedule
Holy Masses
Mondays to Fridays 6:00 AM
‐‐‐
Saturdays 6:00 AM
5:00 PM (Anticipated Mass)
‐‐‐
Sundays 5:00 AM
6:30 AM
8:00 AM
9:30 AM
5:00 PM
Preliminary note:
The histories of Padre Garcia, Batangas and Rosario cannot be separated. Rosario was once a large municipality in Batangas. But forced by circumstances, its town center had relocated several times. The present municipality of Rosario gave "birth" to the municipality of Padre Garcia in 1947 which was established in its old town center known as Lumang Bayan. Thus, the history of the Parish takes its root in the very history of the Most Holy Rosary Parish of Padre Garcia, Batangas.
During the start of the American Revolution, the people of Rosario found themselves again relocating after their town and church were burnt down (these are present town and church of Padre Garcia, Batangas). A cavalry officer named Captain Ed H. Boughton came upon the springs at the foot of Tombol Hill and found the place an ideal site for the new town of Rosario. Here a temporary chapel of cogon and bamboo materials was built and the priest from the old church of Lumang Bayan celebrated the Mass only on Sundays and attended to religious services requested by the residents.
In 1908, a lot adjacent to the site of the municipal building and plaza was purchased by prominent and principal families of the town and joined to build the church. However, due to the refusal of the Church hierarcy in Manila to give them a priest, these families had to offer the lot to the Iglesia Filipina Independente, a nationalist movement for religious freedom of Gregorio Aglipay and subsequently joined the separist sect. However, those families who did not join them were left without a church. The family of Cenona Magtibay had to donate their own piece of land to build a Church. It was only in 1910 with the creation of the Diocese of Lipa that Fr. Eulalio Mea became the first parish priest of Rosario, separating the parish of Rosario from Lumang Bayan which the Diocese of Lipa continued to minister.
Sanctuary of the Parish Church
Then in 1915, the parish was entrusted by Bishop Giuseppe Petreli to the missionaries belonging to the Oblates of St. Joseph with Fr. Eugenio Gherlone, OSJ as its pastor. In 1948 under the spiritual administration of Fr. Edoardo Meda, OSJ, the construction of a new church was initiated.
Through the course of time, the Congregation continues to serve this parish.
The southwestern coastal and mountain parts of Batangas were parts of the mission field of the Augustinian fathers. A secular priest was said to have been stationed in this coastal area of present day Lobo as early as 1636. Evangelization was slow and difficult as in other parts of the Philippines where the villagers, they were made to live closer together to form a larger settlement for local administration of their parish.
A parish appeared to have been established on the southwestern coast of Batangas, where a river (now called Rosario) runs thru Lobo and nearby is Rosario point. This Christian settlement became the target of a Moro raid during the Moro wars against Spain. In 1687, this settlement was plundered by the Moro pirates.
In these pirates or Moro raids on Christian settlements, Mohammedan Krismen attacked and enslaved Spanish and Filipinos alike. The raids left a trail of death, blood and ashes. Captives were sold in Sandakan and other slave markets in the East Indies.
The plunder by the Moros of this coastal settlement in Lobo in 1687 was among the more vicious. Among those said to have perished in the raid was its priest. Almost en masse its inhabitants fled inland north to safety. They went up stream the river Rosario and then the Kansahayan River.
La Virgen de Lumang Bayan
Hordes of men, women and children came in great hurry from the coast of Lobo evading the pursuing Moros of the south. In their flight to safety they were reciting the rosary in the Christian tradition. They were imploring the divine protection of the Nuestra Señora Del Santissimo Rosario.
When the mass of people found themselves in Kansahayan River in Hilerang Kawayan of Taysan, they stopped. They believed the place was safe enough to settle in. Here, they set up their dwellings and started to rebuild their lives. From then on, they gave the place its etymological name Rosario-from reciting the rosary.
The remaining inhabitants of this coastal settlement in Lobo followed later to the new island settlement. Here a new parish was established by 1691. In 1698, that coastal settlement was abandoned. The Augustinian spiritually administered to the new parish for some 30 years from 1691 to about 1721.
After a relative space between the Mohammedans and the Spaniards during the Moro wars, the province of Batangas was again the object of Moro raids by 1716. The administration of the parishes in this area was then ceded to the Dominican fathers after 1721. Because of the increasing Moro raids of the period, they feared that Rosario could still be attacked by the Moros. It still could be reached in less than a day's walk from the coast of Lobo. The Dominican fathers decided to transfer Rosario farther north one league (about 7.5 km) south of Lipa, perhaps shortly before or after 1739.
The devout inhabitants of Rosario had sought the divine guidance of the Holy Lady of the Rosary once again. They held a novena on their solemn trek north towards Lipa. They followed the old inland trail from Hilerang Kawayan crossing the plains of Tubig ng Bayan now Padre Garcia. The last day of their novena ended in the south bank of Tubig ng Bayan. Here it was decided to relocate the town of Rosario.
The fertile fields of the new town settlement yielded bountiful harvest in the hands of their industrious settlers. They worked on the plains and swamps of the place. They became adept at the wet culture of rice. The town grew to become the rice producing town of the province. Its people prospered. In gratitude for the peace and prosperity of the town, its people had helped built a church built for their beloved Lady of the Holy Rosary.
The church was described in a 1751 document to be of light materials, but it had a fully furnished, painted and gilded retablo mayor (altar) in 1776, Rosario became a Parish. The church was continuously improved until it had a wall of stone, a tiled roof and a bell tower by 1837.
Before the middle of the 19th century, Rosario was a thriving large town of southeastern Batangas. It had to give birth to two large parishes: San Juan de Bolbok in 1846, then Taysan in 1860 which included Lobo.
The parishes in Batangas, now again under the Augustinian Order, were turned over to the Recollect Order in 1864. Fray Santiago Benito delas Cinco Llagas was the first Recollect Priest to handle the parish of Rosario. Rosario became a vicariate center under the Reverend Father Fray Mariano Pena. He was the Provincial vicar. Much improvement of the town and the parish church was made during his term.
Sanctuary of the Parish Church
In the early 1900s, during the start of the American Revolution, the town and church were burnt down. But despite of this setback the parish continued to minister to the faithful, even to a vast majority who fled to a site near Tombol Hill.
The church administration was transferred to the Oblates of St. Joseph in 1928. During, the Second World War, Rev. Fr. Antonio Fanchini, OSJ was brutally murdered by the Japanese soldiers on February 14, 1945. The church was also not spared and was destroyed during the liberation of the Philippines in 1945. Restorations were done and was finished by 1949 with the belfry of the original church preserved.
Schedule
Holy Masses
Mondays to Fridays
6:00 AM
‐‐‐ Saturdays
6:00 AM
5:00 PM (Anticipated Mass)
‐‐‐
Holy Family Parish
Brgy. Alupay, Rosario, Batangas
On March 19, 1949, the Parish of the Holy Family was initiated by the late Rev. Fr. Egidio Mortera, OSJ in Brgy. Alupay, Rosario, Batangas. It was separated from Nuestra Señora del Rosario Parish of the main town. It was officially inaugurated in December 1949 by the bishop of Lipa, Msgr. Alfredo Verzosa, DD. Fr. Egidio was installed as its first pastor.
The parish is comprised of the following barangays and sitios: Alupay, Antipolo, Balibago, Calantas, Mabato, Mabunga, Macalamcam A, Macalamcam B, Maligaya, Matamis, Natu, Nasi, Palakpak, Pinagsibaan, Puting Kahoy, Salao, San Isidro and Tulos. The first church was made of wood and roofs of galvanized iron sheets. In 1967, through the initiative of Rev. Fr. Guido Coletti, OSJ, the old and decaying church was replaced with a newer one made of concrete.
With the installation of a new retablo in 2000, the church became one of most sought wedding churches in Batangas.
Schedule
Holy Masses
Mondays to Saturdays
6:15 AM (Filipino)
‐‐‐ Sundays
6:00 AM (Filipino)
7:15 AM (Filipino)
8:30 AM (Filipino)
On August 10, 1855, through the initiative Fr. Damaso Mojica, OAR, a church made of stones was built. Twenty eight years later, floods destroyed the church. In 1894, It was transferred to its present site. It was formally inaugurated in 1894 with Father Celestino Yoldi, OAR as its parish priest. A bell tower was appended to the building between 1928 and 1935.
In 1978, due to lack of personnel, the Recolleto Fathers had to give up the administration of the parish. Thus, through an approved resolution of the Diocese of Lipa, the Oblates of St. Joseph took charge of the parish in exchange of the Parish of Cuenca. This was to entrust also the entire Fourth Vicariate of the diocese under the spiritual care of the Congregation. The OSJ fathers began their pastoral administration on May 1 of that year.
Throughout the years the structure had needed much repairs. Thus, in 1995, during the term of Rev. Fr. Raymundo dela Cruz, OSJ, the church underwent major renovation. To preserve the architectural design, the facade and the bell tower were left as they were. But the interiors were replaced with a more durable structure.
Schedule
Holy Masses
Mondays to Fridays
6:00 AM
‐‐‐ Saturdays
6:00 AM
5:00 PM
‐‐‐ Sundays
6:00 AM
8:00 AM
10:00 AM
5:00 PM
Santuario de San Jose Marello Parish
Sitio Sabang, Brgy. Cabayugan, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan
Responding to the call of missions, the Oblates of St. Joseph in the Philippines opened the St. Joseph Marello Mission Territory in Cabayugan, Puerto Princesa, Palawan.
This vast area of missionary apostolate is about 33 kilometers from the city proper. It is situated in one of most visited rainforest of the province, including the world renown Puerto Princesa Subterranean River also known as Palawan Underground River.
The parish is composed of the following barangays and sitios: Brgy. Tagabinet, Sito Nasuduan, Sitio Liang, Sitio Tagnipa Crossing, Sitio Tagnipa Loob, Sitio Sugod I, Sitio Sugod II, Sitio Cabayugan Centro, Sitio Manturon, Sitio Sabang Centro, Sitio Sabang Kampo, Marufinas, Marufinas
Aplaya, Panaguman, Old Panggangan, New Panggangan, Kayasan and Bayatao.
Image of St. Joseph Marello enshrined in the Parish Church
The Congregation began the canonical and spiritual administration of the parish on October 7, 2008. Rev. Fr. Mario Holmina, OSJ was appointed and installed as the first parish priest.
During the blessing and inauguration of the church on June 24, 2016, the missionary frontier is now named "Santuario de San Jose Marello".
Schedule
Holy Masses
Mondays to Fridays
6:00 PM
‐‐‐ Saturdays
‐‐‐
6:30 AM
6:00 PM
San Ezekiel Moreno Parish
Brgy. Macarscas, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan
Heeding again the call to missions, the Province accepted the invitation of the Apostolic Vicariate of Puerto Princesa to administer another parish in Palawan, the San Ezekiel Moreno Parish in Brgy. Macarascas.
The San Ezekiel Moreno Parish is actually the mother parish of Santuario de San Jose Parish, the first OSJ parish in Palawan.
This is the parish in which Most Rev. Broderick Pabillo, currently bishop of the Apostolic Vicariate of Taytay, Palawan, was ordained bishop on August 19, 2006. He also served as its parish priest prior to his ordination.
Pioneer batch of Marello's Altar Knights of the Parish
Despite the pandemic due to COVID-19, the Province was able to send Rev. Fr. Ronulfo Alkonga, OSJ to be its parish priest with Rev. Fr. Lee Leonida, OSJ as his assistant. On August 20, 2021, Fr. Rony was formally installed as parish priest by Most Rev. Socrates Missiona, DD, Apostolic Vicar of Puerto Princesa during the celebration of the parish fiesta.
The Parish is dedicated to St. Ezekiel Moreno who was assigned as the first Parish Priest and Chaplain of Puerto Princesa from 1872-1873.
Schedule
Holy Masses
Mondays to Fridays
6:00 PM
‐‐‐ Saturdays
‐‐‐
6:30 AM
6:00 PM
Spousal of Mary and Joseph Parish
Brgy. Buntatala, Jaro District, Iloilo
The humble beginning of the Spousal of Mary and Joseph Parish at Buntatala, Jaro, Iloilo City began in 1980 when of the prominent people of the said barangat, former Brgy. Captain Zacarias Sumagaysay with the collaboration of the late Felix Julitan and some civic spirited people acquired a lot through donation from the Archdiocese of Jaro. This lot was used in putting up the Jaro High School-Buntatala Extension, with the condition that a portion of this lot would be the site to construct a chapel to gather and manifest the Catholic Faith.
However, the location of the chapel was a little bit inaccessible to the parishioners. Thus, in 1982, with the permission of the Archdiocese, a modest chapel was built to a more accessible lot.
Faith was so kind that after a decade, the Oblates of St. Joseph came and brought about their desire to build a church in this barangay. They decided to come to Iloilo with the purpose of thanking the Archdiocese for having a lot of vocations coming from this province and also to propagate the devotion to St. Joseph and St. Joseph Marello.
At the turn of the new century, Rev. Fr. Alfredo Piad, OSJ was sent by the Congregation to initiate their presence in Iloilo and to work for the erection of the new parish. The proposed parish would comprise five barangays, namely, Lanit, Tagbak and Buntatala of Jaro, Iloillo City, and Camangay and Guintas of Leganes, Iloilo.
On December 9, 2001, the groundbreaking ceremony was held. People from the five barangays with their respective civic leaders were present to show their solidarity and support for the realization of the said endeavor.
Even though the construction has not yet started, the dream to become a parish was realized. On June 2, 2002, his Excellency, Msgr. Angel Lagdameo, DD, Archbishop of Jaro, officiated the Canonical Erection of the Parish, consecrated to the patronage of the "Spousal of Mary and Joseph". Rev. Fr. Ray R. Sales, OSJ was also installed as the first parish priest.
Schedule
Holy Masses
Mondays to Fridays
5:30 PM (Hiligaynon)
‐‐‐ Saturdays
6:30 AM (English)
5:00 PM (Tagalog / Anticipated Mass)
‐‐‐ Sundays
6:30 AM (Hiligaynon)
8:30 AM (English)
5:00 PM (Filipino)
San Francisco de Asis Parish
Brgy. Tagakpan, Tugbok District, Davao City
In 1999, the Parish of San Francisco de Asis was formally established through a decree signed by the then Archbishop of Davao, Most Rev.Fernando Capalla, DD. Present during the signing of the document were the late Rev. Fr. Sancho Sison, OSJ, then provincial superior, Rev. Fr. Noel Magtaas, OSJ, his vicar, a number of diocesan and religious priests.
Rev. Fr. Leo Gonzales, OSJ, who had stayed in the Archdiocese for six months prior to the establishment of the parish, was appointed as its first parish priest with Rev. Fr. Norman Rodrigo Banzuela, Jr., OSJ as his assistant.
The parish is comprised of twenty-nine communities called Gagmay'ng Kristohanong Katilingban or GKK: Sto. Niño, Naming adjacent to Balangaing area in the in the North; communites along the river in the south, North Naming; Tagakpan proper in the east;and Sta. Cruz, Naming up to San Vicente Chapel in Manabulan, including Saro and Lipadas in the west.
Patronal Image of St. Francis de Assisi of the Parish
The Parish has two main churches within the town, namely: St. Joseph's Church and Holy Family Church; and two mission stations, namely: Holy Cross Church in Bremer Bay, Western Australia, which is about 187kms away from Albany; and Mary Help of Christian Church in Ongerup, Western Australia, which is about 165kms away from Albany.
St. Joseph's Church
In Albany, Town Lot 331 had been granted to the Catholic Church in May 1855. The church also acquired three other lots centred on Aberdeen Street.
The first Catholic Church was built circa 1855, on the western side of Aberdeen Street. The foundation stone for the St Joseph's Catholic Church was laid in 1877 on the present site on the eastern side of Aberdeen St.
One of the historic features of this church is "The Bell". It was a gift to mark the nursing of French sailors during a typhoid epidemic. It was named "Marie de Bourbon" after the old French Royal House of Bourbon) and was embossed with religious images, inscribed with a passage from Ezekiel in the Latin "Manus Domini eduxis me in Viam Australem", which can be roughly translated as, "The hand of the Lord guided me to this southern way".
Holy Family Church
On June 21, 1990, Holy Family Church was built near the school in Spencer Park to accommodate our students and staff of the St Joseph's College during their school Masses as well as to provide adequate spaces for our parishioners during the big celebrations in the parish. The building of the church was spearheaded by Fr Noel Fitzsimons and consecrated by Bishop Peter Quinn.
The Beginning of the OSJ missions in Australia
Everything boils down when Bishop Gerard Holohan, Bishop of Bunbury asked Cardinal Rosales, former Archbishop of Manila, for a help on where he could get missionary priests who will be willing to help him pastorally in his diocese, as they have not enough priests for the whole region. The good Cardinal gave a high recommendation to the Congregation of the Oblates of St. Joseph, and immediately informed the Provincial Superior, who was then Fr. Noel Magtaas, OSJ, about the request. Fr. Magtaas responded to the request with his first correspondence with the bishop of Bunbury in the last period of 2007.
In 2008, to confirm the request, Fr. Ronulfo Alkonga, OSJ, newly appointed Provincial Superior, Fr. Michelle Piscopo, OSJ, Superior General, and Fr. Concord Bagaoisan, OSJ, who has been chosen as the first Oblate missionary to set foot in Australia, went to visit Bishop Holohan to his diocese in Bunbury, and had an ocular visit of the parish where Fr. Con will be staying. The Oblate superiors have accepted the request to put up an Oblate community in Western Australia, and it has been agreed upon that the OSJ Australia Mission will be under the pastoral care of the St. Joseph Province – Philippines.
In 2009, Fr. Concord, OSJ officially arrived in Australia to start his missionary journey in the parish of the Holy Family Church, Albany, Western Australia, which was previously under the care of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit. In view of the spirit of community life, Fr. Domingo Manalo, OSJ arrived in 2010 and Fr. Jorge De Chavez, OSJ followed in 2012.
Schedule
Holy Masses
Mondays to Thursdays and Saturdays
9:00 AM
‐‐‐ Fridays
12 noon
ST. DAMIEN OF MOLOKAI PARISH
Dawesville, West Australia
St. Damien of Molokai Parish is a relatively new having been blessed and dedicated on January 23, 2005.
Msgr. Gerard Holohan, bishop of the Diocese of Bunbury, chose St Damien of Molokai as patron saint for Dawesville because "there are many people in this area who have left the Faith, so it is appropriate that this church be dedicated to St Damien, who brought back to the Church lepers who had left the Faith."
Fr Leon Russell was appointed as its first parish priest. Back then, barely 70 people attended weekend Masses.
In 2009, the Oblates of St. Joseph from the Philippines arrived to assist the diocese. After a series ocular visits, in 2013, it has been decided that Fr. Concord Bagaoisan, OSJ, the first OSJ to arrive, will be in-charge of the parish.
The Parish is a very young, yet fast growing community. It has a Primary School adjacent into it, which the assigned priest regularly visits. The main apostolate is more of house visitations and organization of the people.
Today, up to 260 attend weekend Masses.
Schedule
Holy Masses
Wednesdays
5:00 PM
‐‐‐ Thursdays
5:00 PM
‐‐‐ Fridays
12:00 Noon First Fridays - Healing Mass
‐‐‐ Saturdays
6:00 PM
‐‐‐ Sundays
8:30 AM
SACRED HEART PARISH
Mount Barker, Western Australia
The earliest recorded history of priests living in this area was in February 1846, when five French priests set out from Fremantle to establish a mission for Aborigines at Lake Mollyalup. They left two years later, after great deprivations and the mission a failure. Very few Aborigines were found. 1850-1860: During these years there were periodic visits by traveling priests. Among these were Bishop Sena, Canon Martelli, Father Griver and Garrido, all Benedictine Monks.
1860: The area southwards from Williams was formed into the Albany Parish, with a Benedictine, Fr Coll, as resident Parish Priest. The spiritual needs of Catholics were met by this priest, riding through miles of virgin bushland to bring the consolation of the sacraments to the lonely, isolated settlers. 1870: The Sisters of St Joseph of the Apparition arrived in Albany. Soon after this, Mount Barker children were taken to Albany for religious instruction, often staying several weeks and being confirmed there.
Early 1900s: Around this period, Mass was said in the local hall, the priest traveling from Albany by train, staying overnight, saying Mass the next morning, carrying out various religious duties during the day, and returning to Albany later by train. The children were taught the elements of their religion by their parents and classes of religious instruction were given by Mrs McNamara, Mrs Melkerin and later, by a postal clerk, Michael McEncroe. This Michael McEncroe subsequently became a missionary priest.
1910: Mr Francis Collins donated the land on which the present church is built and he and Constable McNamara, George Enright, an orchardist and Mr Corbett, a schoolmaster, contributed towards the erection of a small church. A subscription list was opened by Francis Collins and the first donor was an Anglican, Mrs R. Wright from "Narpyn", who gave a gold sovereign.
1914: A small church, the first Sacred Heart Church, was opened in Mount Barker by Archbishop Clune. Fr Gilroy (later Dean) traveled from Albany to celebrate Mass once a month.1920: In the early 1920s Edward Collins made local history by going to Rome to study for the priesthood. Monsignor Edward, as he was known locally with affection, served the church faithfully in various districts of Western Australia until he died in Perth in 1964, mourned not only by his family but by Mount Barker people as their first Mount Barker born priest.1936: Some extensions were made to the church.
1937: the Mount Barker/Denmark Parish was formed with Fr Holohan, the first Parish Priest, resident at Denmark serving both areas.1938: the Cranbrook Catholic Church was built. The land for the church site was donated by the current station master at the time, Mr O'Donnell. Money required to build the church was raised by the parishioners from Cranbrook, Tenterden, Frankland and Pootenup. Fund raising ventures included the Catholic Ball, donations, etc., which continued after the church was built to pay off the debt. Prior to the church being built in 1938, services were held in the Tenterden Hall and Father Gilroy, accompanied by the Sisters, traveled from Albany by horse and buggy on the 5th Sunday of the month, when it occurred during the year, and stayed at "Orchard View". Following the Mass, the parishioners held a picnic lunch.1941: The Mount Barker Presbytery was opened and Fr Holohan moved to Mount Barker.1943: Four Sisters of St Joseph of the Apparition took up residence in Mount Barker. They lived in a small cottage and taught in the church until the school was opened in 1947 and the Convent in 1951. The Sisters made important contributions to the town. They taught academic subjects, commercial subjects and music, besides giving Christian education. The Sisters also visited outer centres giving religious instructions as well as conducting period courses in Mount Barker for children of outlying districts.1945: Fr Holohan was transferred and Fr O'Mahony was appointed Parish Priest.1946: Fr O'Kane appointed Parish Priest.1947: St Joseph's school opened.1950: Fr J. J. O'Dwyer was ordained in 1943 in Kilkenny Ireland and was appointed Parish Priest after serving in the Archdiocese of Perth for just seven years.
1951: The Convent was opened and when closed by the Sisters in 1971, it became a home for the Frail Aged and renamed Redman House. The building is currently the student Hostel.
1954: Fr P. J. Duffy appointed Parish Priest, Mount Barker became part of the newly formed Bunbury diocese.
1956: Fr Cryan appointed Parish Priest. During his absence on leave in Ireland, we had as relieving priests: Monsignor Byrne, who died suddenly in Mount Barker Hospital, Fr M. K. Duffy and Fr Petrie, an English priest on loan to the church in Western Australia.
1958: First Mass for the Catholic community of South Stirling and the surrounding districts, was celebrated in the home of the Easton family by Fr Cryan on 12 July. Home Masses continued to be celebrated monthly until September 1961, when Masses were moved to the newly completed South Stirling Hall with Fr McCarthy as Parish Priest.
Prior to the 1960s parish finances had been somewhat haphazard, much work and fund raising by priest and laity, but it was felt that a more business like approach to parish finances should be adopted. Fr Petrie gave sound advice on proposed methods and the theory behind them. When Fr McCarthy was appointed Parish Priest he introduced our "Direct Giving" Campaign, its immediate object being to build a badly needed larger church.
1960: 28 March Fr N. Fitz Simons and Fr B. Dwyer rediscovered the original mission site at Lake Mollyalup which the Spiritan Fathers had named Sancta Maria.Fr FitzSimons during his research had interested a local farmer, Mr Roger Sounness, then owner of an adjacent property to the mission site, and he in turn, enquired of many old inhabitants in the area. One, the late Mr Bob Parsons, then in his 70s, recalled that as a child playing with native children, they were forbidden by the older natives to play on the little knoll because "the holy men had lived there". On that site on 18 March 1960, Fr FitzSimons, Fr Dwyer and Mr Sounness, found two small mounds of stones and one, when excavated turned out to be an old fireplace. Digging out the ashes, they found two sets of breads, one a rosary of the Seven Dolours and the other, a conventional rosary, on the metal Crucifix of which was stamped the figure of Our Lady and the words: Mere de Dieu Priez Pour Nous" (Mother of God Pray for Us). The beads and the inscription gave ample proof they had found the site of "Sancta Maria".In October, during the centenary celebrations of the Albany church, a Pilgrimage was made to the old mission site. The Diocesan Bishop Rev. L. J. Goody, Abbot Gomez of New Norcia, followed by a large crowd composed of Sisters, Brothers, clergy, parishioners of Albany, Mount Barker, Cranbrook and surrounding areas, as well as local settlers and members of local historical societies, made their way on foot (for about half a mile) to this hill top where an open air service in memory of the missioners was held. At this date (1960) the State Government offered a portion of this land (about 500 acres) to the church, with the stipulation that it should be used within 5 to 6 years. It was hoped to establish a church Agricultural school there, but as church authorities were unsuccessful in this aim, the land was reverted to the crown.
1961: In March, Fr McCarthy replaced Fr Cryan as Parish Priest. He introduced the Planned Giving campaign with its hope of building a much needed larger church for the rapidly growing community. During his absence overseas we had as relieving priests, Fr Casey, Fr R. Kelly and Monsignor Giles.
1962/3: The Frankland church was built and opened. South Stirlings became part of the Gnowangerup Parish until 1982 when they returned to the Mount Barker Parish with Fr Galloway as Parish Priest at the time. Mass was, and still is, celebrated twice monthly on Sunday evenings in the Anglican Church through the generosity of the Anglican community.
1965: Extensions were made to the Presbytery.
1966: Rebuilding of church began. In the early 1960's there were many Catholics living in this area and the church was far too small. The decision was taken to build a new church. This was commenced in 1966 and completed in 1967, with Mass being held in the Plantagenet Hall for the period of construction.
1967: On 17 June 1967 the new church was blessed and opened by Bishop Goody. As much as possible of the old church was incorporated in this new church. The sanctuary wall of the old church became part of the north wall. Mt Barker stone was used for a feature wall, this stone providing a contrast to the almost stark appearance of the church. The Stations of the Cross were a gift from a young man who offered to paint them. The frames also were made and donated by another young man. (Both of these young men were from Pardelup Prison Farm and their work and gifts were appreciated by the parish.)
1997: On 6 April, a Diocesan Pilgrimage to "Sancta Maria" at Lake Mollyalup to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the mission was led by Bishop Peter Quinn. He offered an "open air" Mass at the original site. Also present for the historic ceremony was the Superior General of the Holy Spirit Fathers from Rome and the Provincial Superior from Ireland together with a number of Spiritan priests. A large crowd of parishioners attended from different parishes.
1999: Fr Michael Dziedzic decided to return to his homeland (Poland) after giving almost eleven years of his Priestly Ministry to the people of the Diocese of Bunbury. In July, Fr Wally Kevis was appointed to replace him as minister to the people of the Mount Barker Parish, together with the Sacramental Care of the Parish of Denmark.
Until 2016, the parish is under the administration of the Redemptorist Fathers. They are succeeded by the Oblates of St. Joseph from the Philippines and Rev. Fr. Domingo Manalo, OSJ was appointed as its pastor.
The parish serves the communities of: Mount Barker, Frankland, South Stirling, Kendenup, Cranbrook, Narrikup and Rocky Gully.
It would appear that the first priest to have officially visited the present Denmark Parish was Father Bernard Delaney, an alumnus of Maynooth College, who came to this State as chaplain in the convict ship "Hougomont". He decided upon arrival to remain, and was sent to Albany by the Vicar General of Perth, the then Father Martin Griver, in 1868. Fr Delaney remained in these parts until 1876.
Father F. Mateau, a Spaniard, was the next priest at Albany and early settlers around Torbay and Bornholm recall him visiting the timber men and saying Mass for them. When the new town of Denmark River started in 1895 Fr Mateau occasionally came here and offered Mass in private houses.
During his term, sometime in 1900, the Millar Brothers built a wooden church for their Anglican workers and a few months later also completed a similar church for the Catholics. The church was opened in that same year by Bishop Gibney. When Bishop Gibney was still Father Gibney, he ministered to the Ned Kelly gang in the blazing hotel at Glenrowan, Victoria. Fr Mateau's assistant (from 1899 on) was Fr Thomas Morris who also said Mass "at the Denmark."
Fr Michael Reidy was in charge of Albany from 1903 to 1906. In 1905, as the mills started to close down and most of the Catholic population commenced to drift away, Father Reidy took the furnishings and the iron roof off the Denmark church down to Ravensthorpe to complete a church there. The walls were left standing here until the building remains collapsed. Local pioneers still consider this an "act of injustice". Mass was then said in the local hall or houses from 1906 until 1929.
Fr J. Reidy served the needs of the people about Albany from 1906 to 1910. He was succeeded by Father Briody who remained until 1918. For the year 1915-1916 of Father Briody's holiday abroad, Fr Sheridan was in charge. Fr Thomas Gilroy (later Dean Gilroy) took charge of Albany in 1918. The Group Settlement Scheme was set up in Denmark during his pastorate and the building of the railway line from Denmark to Nornalup brought a further temporary influx of people into Denmark. Fr Gilroy took the opportunity presented by their presence to build a second church at Denmark.
St. Mary's Church was opened on 27 October 1929 by Archbishop Clune who was assisted by Frs. Gilroy and Prendiville. The builder was Mr George Duckett of Mount Barker and the church was opened free of debt. Mass was said in St. Mary's monthly – sometimes more often from that time until 1936. In that year Fr Raphael Pace, a Maltese priest, was appointed first priest-in-charge of the parish of Denmark. It is interesting to note that Fr Pace was the priest who received the first Bishop of Bunbury, Dr Goody, into the Catholic Church at Perth and also served his first Mass in Rome. He remained until March 1937.
Mt Barker and Denmark parishes were joined in 1937 and Fr Michael Holohan was made Parish Priest and officially inducted there in November 1937 by Archbishop Prendiville. He resided in the presbytery at Denmark until November 1941 and then transferred to the new presbytery at Mt Barker. Denmark remained part of Mt Barker parish until March 1950, being served by Frs. Thomas Kane and John Mahony after Fr Holohan. In that month and year Denmark once more became a separate parish comprising the districts of Bornholm, Denmark, Elleker, Nornalup, Scotsdale, Torbay and Walpole. Fr John Walsh became Parish Priest and lived in Denmark for seven or eight months and then worked the parish while living at Albany. He remained until January 1954. Fr John McGrath took charge of the parish in February 1954 but lived in Albany. He kept a room in the presbytery whilst the rest of the house was let to tenants. He was responsible for the erection of the Church of St. Francis of Assisi in Walpole. St. Francis of Assissi Church was opened in 1957 by the Bishop of Bunbury the Most Reverend LJ goody. Fr McGrath noted that the church cost approximately 1,750 pounds. The Sisters of St. Joseph from Albany at this time were giving the Walpole children religious instruction each month.
Fr James Petry took over the parish of Denmark in February 1958 and also lived at Albany. He helped put the parish finances on a sound footing by introducing a Combined Fund Raising plan into Denmark and Walpole. He was succeed as priest-in-charge by Fr Noel FitzSimons who was also assistant at Albany and was responsible for a strong new fence being erected along the whole frontage of the church and presbytery.
In November 1960 Fr Philip Tuohy started the third life of Denmark parish when he was appointed priest-in-charge of the Denmark parish and took up residence in Denmark. During a dynamic few months, he had the Sanctuary added to St. Mary's, organized a much needed painting of the church and presbytery and the second Combined Funds Campaign. A very successful Mission was conducted in March 1961 by Fr Middleton CSsR.
On 13 April 1961 Fr Martin Newbold took up residence as priest-in-charge of Denmark. During his tenure he organized the third Planned Giving Program. The first Parish Council was formed in 1988. Now meetings are held monthly in the parish house.
Terence Quinn was ordained a Deacon on 26 January 1991 by Bishop Myles McKeon. He was subsequently appointed Parish Administrator. The church as re-roofed in September 1991 and painted externally in May 1993. The parish house was re-stumped and internally remodeled in May 1998.
The parish purchased a parcel of land (1.6390 ha) Lot 321 Buckley Street, in June 1993 as a future church site. The Bishop of Bunbury purchased an adjoining block of 1.4293 ha in South Coast Highway, making a total area of 3.0683 ha.After many years of working in the parish on an ad hoc basis, a formal agreement was entered into with the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Apparition on 10 February 1998 with the appointment of Sr Bernadette as Pastoral Associate.A Conference of St. Vincent de Paul was formed in the parish in December 1998. The parish priests of Mt Barker, Fr Tom McGree and Fr Michael Dziedzic, served the parish sacramentally since the death of Fr Edmund McSweeney in December 1987. Parish Property: The church was built on Denmark Town block 102 which is the block on which the first church was built in the timber mill days. Ada Hards bought the block on which the presbytery now stands fr 70 pounds and her title signed by Governor Strickland is dated 19 June 1912. Fr Pace later bought this block and the title to it was transferred to the Archbishop of Perth on 15 April 1926, then to the Bishop of Bunbury on 28 May 1956. The presbytery block is Denmark Town block 103 of 1 rood 3.5 perches (1,099 sq metres) and was bought by Fr Pace for 50 pounds. In a letter to the National Bank, Denmark, of 25 May 1936, Fr Pace mentions that he proposed to erect a remodeled Group Settlement house on the block and estimated the cost of purchase and alterations to the house at 300 pounds. The parish holds a grant of block numbers 248,249 and 250 in Millar Street as a possible school site.
Early parish history goes back to 1890 when the first Mass was celebrated in Wagerup in the home of Mr and Mrs Eastcott by Rev. Father Brady, Parish Priest of Bunbury. Within the next decade, Catholic families including the Fitzpatricks, Corrigans and McCabes settled in the Hamel area. The first mass in Drakesbrook (Waroona) was celebrated shortly after their arrival by Rev. Father Donogher in the Drakesbrook or Waroona Hall, at that time situated just north of the Drakesbrook School. Bishop Gibney visited Waroona in 1901 and administered the Sacrament of Confirmation in the hall.
Soon after the Irish families settled on the 10 acre Hamel blocks they had bought (already cleared), from the Government, Bishop Gibney sent a well-known Missionary, Rev. Father Clune to conduct a Mission. The Mission then decided that they needed a church. A block in Waroona on which to build the church was donated by Mr Barrett. In 1906 Rev. Father Clune travelled from Perth to bless and open St Mary's - the only Catholic Church between Bunbury and Armadale at that time. The Parish Priest of Busselton, Rev. Father Donogher, came at frequent intervals to celebrate Mass.
In 1909 the districts of Pinjarra, Waroona, Yarloop and Harvey were constituted, a Priest, Rev. Father Fahey became parish priest and resided in Yarloop until he was succeeded by Rev. Father McCabe and later Father Doddy. In 1939 Father Power was made Parish Priest. The present day St Patricks Church was opened in 1941 and replaced St Mary's. The official opening was held on 19 August that year and blessed by the most Rev. R. Prendiville.
Schedule
Holy Masses
Wednesdays and Fridays
9:00 AM (English)
‐‐‐ Sundays
8:30 AM (English)
St. Aloysius Parish
Ballarat East, Victoria, Australia
St. Aloysius Church
St Aloysius Parish in Redan, was established as a Parish in 1973 but began life as a parish community in approximately 1914 when the Church was built. Soon after the local St Aloysius Parish School was built. The Redan Catholic Community has developed a strong identity over the years. Since the 1990's, Delacombe to the west of Redan has seen vast residential development and now is a integral part of the St Aloysius Parish. A second parish school, Lumen Christi was established in Delacombe in 1990.
In 2024, the Bishop of Ballarat, Most. Rev. Paul Bird, CSsR, DD, entrusted the parish to the Oblates of St. Joseph together with the parishes of St. James in Sebastopol and of St. Peter in Linton.
The Parish of St James' Sebastopol was established in 1963. Prior to this, Catholics in the area were ministered to by priests from St Patrick's Cathedral who celebrated Mass and the Sacraments in the Chapel at St Joseph's Home (Nazareth House). With much generosity and hard work, the presbytery was furnished, land bought and the Church finally completed, blessed and opened in 1968.
Rev John Smith was the first Parish Priest; John Bylsma & Sons were the builders and Mr Tony Rieter, the designer – two of the many new Catholic arrivals from other countries who made their homes in Sebastopol in that period. In response to the growing number of newly arrived families mainly of Dutch and Polish origin, St James' School had already been built, blessed and opened in 1956, staffed by Sisters of Mercy, Ballarat East.
The Parish and school communities have continued to grow and the buildings have seen a number of changes and refurbishment over the years. In 1996 the Catholic community of St Patrick's Rokewood formally became part of the St James' Parish, Sebastopol, when Cressy Parish closed. We give thanks to God for the faith, foresight, generosity and hard work of all those who have contributed to the physical and spiritual growth of our Parish Community.
The community of St Patrick's, Rokewood celebrated their final Mass in November 2020.
In 2024, the Bishop of Ballarat, Most. Rev. Paul Bird, CSsR, DD, entrusted the parish to the Oblates of St. Joseph together with the parishes of St. Aloysius in Redan and of St. Peter in Linton.
On Sunday, May 31, 2015 the Parish of Linton celebrated two very significant anniversaries.
The first was the Centenary of St Peter's Catholic Church (1915-2015) and the second was the 140th year of the Linton/Smythesdale Parish (1875-2015). It was with great joy that more than 150 past and present parishioners joined together in Mass led by Bishop Paul Bird and concelebrated by Frs. John Keane, Bill Melican, James Kerr, Anthony Nagothu and George Areeckal. Fittingly, St Peter's was full to capacity with many standing in the aisles.
Following Mass Bishop Paul blessed and unveiled a plaque commemorating the occasion. The forecast rain held out just in time for some official photos and then all moved on to the Linton Recreation Reserve for lunch and much reminiscing. Photo boards around the room prompted many stories to be told, whilst parishioners old and new shared memorabilia and stories from the rich history. Both young and old enjoyed the celebrations.
John Kennedy, who was instrumental in the organisation of the celebration and a fourth generation parishioner, was MC for the occasion and offered a concise and informative history of the parish. Former parishioners, Rod and Greg O'Bierne, spoke fondly of their family's long association with the many priests who dedicated their lives to the parishioners of St Peter's. They recounted the Redemptorist missions and the Mercy nuns who nourished the spiritual lives of families for decades. Fr Bill Melican entertained with a few memories of his time as a curate in the parish.
After the many years of outstanding service of Fr John Keane, the parishioners express their gratitude to Frs. Justin Driscoll, Anthony Nagothu and James Kerr for their on-going support of the Linton Parish.
From 2019 to January 2021, Fr Kevin Maloney, Vicar General, was the Linton Parish Priest.
On January 15, 2021, Fr Eugene McKinnon began his appointment as the Linton Parish Priest and retired on April 9, 2024.
In 2024, the Bishop of Ballarat, Most. Rev. Paul Bird, CSsR, DD, entrusted the parish to the Oblates of St. Joseph together with the parishes of St. Aloysius in Redan, and of St. James in Sebastopol.
Apart from St. Peter's Church, the parish also serves the Churches of St. Brigid in Snake Valley, and of St. John in Skipton.
Paroki Santo Yusuf
Karangan, West Kalimantan, Indonesia
Through an invitation from the Archbishop of Pontianak, Indonesia, Most. Rev. Agustus Agus, D.D., the Oblates of St. Joseph initiated a missionary frontier in Karangan, West Kalimantan, Indonesia.
Since 2013 several attempts had been made to realize this missionary endeavor in Indonesia. The Congregation was recommended by the Bishop Julianus Sunarka, SJ of Purwokerto to Msgr. Agus. Karangan has a positive outlook since it is said to have a good number of Catholics. By April 2015, the Provincial Council, then headed by Fr. Noel Magtaas, officially approved the opening of the mission with Fr. Eliodoro Tubesa, OSJ and Br. Jose Bart Cancio, OSJ as its first missionaries. The two confreres were officialy sent-off during the main centennial celebration on August 26, 2015.
On December 15, 2015, the OSJ St. Joseph Province-Philippines formally opened the mission. The following month, Fr. Ray Sales joined Fr. Dory and Br. Bart to complete the missionary rectory.
Schedule
Holy Masses
Wednesdays
7:00 PM (Bahasa)
‐‐‐ Sundays
8:00 AM (Bahasa)
10:00 AM (Bahasa)
7:00 PM (Bahasa)
Contact us
00.62.8138.336.1704
‐‐‐
00.62.8565.109.4510
Visit us!
Karangan, Mempawah Hulu
Landak Regency
West Kalimantan 79362
Indonesia
Parish's image of St. Anthony of Padua
The pioneer batch of Marello's Altar Knights and Marellettes of the Parish
The newly blessed Parish Rectory, "Balai ni Santo Marello"
Filipino Protomartyr, Patron Saint of the Parish
Barely two weeks after the landmark opening, Bishop Soc speedily erected two new parishes to be administered by the missionaries.
The Joseph Marello Youth of the Parish
The interior of the Church
Some members of the Marello's Altar Knights and Marellettes of the Parish
St. Peter the Fisherman, Patron of the Patrish
St. Joseph enshrined in the Parish Church
Chapel of the Holy Family inside the Greenhills Mall, San Juan City
Patronal image enshrined in the Parish Church
The newly installed retablo in the Church's sanctuary
Interior of the Parish Church
Miraculous image of St. Joseph enshrined in the Church
The Traditional 
Sanctuary of the Parish Church
La Virgen de Lumang Bayan
Sanctuary of the Parish Church
Image of St. Joseph Marello enshrined in the Parish Church
Pioneer batch of Marello's Altar Knights of the Parish
Patronal Image of St. Francis de Assisi of the Parish
St. Aloysius Church
St. James Church
St. Peter Church