My beloved St. Joseph The Worker Parish -- An experienced to reminisced

December 30, 2013

Captured by: Rodrigo B. Sumuob Jr.

As I went home about month 2 years ago, I was able to meet and see the church were I used to serve…The St. Joseph The Worker Parish, Sasa-Pampanga, Davao City. In that church, I became:

• choir member for 3years
•  psalmist until now
• Youth Leader (Pangulo sa Batan-on) in our GKK (BEC) for about 6 years,
• School Lector for about 2 years
• Lector and Commentator in the present
• Teatro ni San Jose up to present

Brief History

This parish is established on the year 1964 with the help of the PME fathers. Presently, It is located at the north part of Davao City where Sasa Port, just 1 km away from the parish and the Davao International Airport (F. Bangoy International Airport) also resides.

It is divided into 9 Zones wherein it stretches from the north of DAMOSA, left part of Lanang, Lanang Beach Club up to Km. 11, Sasa and jump the left part of the Pres. Carlos P. Garcia Highway (La Verna Hills, Buhangin). As to estimate, there are about 100,000 members of that parish and is still increasing.

Development

When I walked in going to St Joseph parish (since from the highway, you need to walk for about 6-10 minutes before you could get there), I really cherished the times when I used to do that routine especially as I run directly to the parish convent for my schedule . As I saw it, I am flabbergasted with the amazing beauty of the parish. It has improved a lot from the time I left Davao City on the year 2008.

Unexpectedly, I saw from the Fr. Godbout Center (Near the parish building and the venue for the yearly activities of the church) that the Teatro ni San Jose are preparing for the youth night. I had a good talk with them especially that some members where my comrades in the Lectors and Commentators. I heard from them that the parish had been so active with regards to ecumenism talk since some communities of our parish have Muslim inhabitants. The Parish according from them had organized various activities by clustering the GKK (BECs) to small ones in order to accommodate the spiritual needs of each family. They also shared to me that the parish installed air condition units and is the first in Davao to make a Catholic Parish be air conditioned, where I personally saw that outstanding development.

I am very thankful that because of this parish, my doubting years is gone and also to the leaders and workers of the parish that helped me mold my faith to become strong and effective.