“That Our Sacrifice may be Pleasing to God”

Dagupan City – 31 December 2009. In a letter addressed to the priests of the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan, Archbishop Socrates B. Villegas, DD urges the clergy in their communities and parishes “to help bring about a more inspiring and truly edifying liturgical worship.”. Below is the full text of the fraternal letter to the clergy of the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan.

Fraternal Letter to my Brother Priests

My beloved brother priests:

On the day of our ordination as priests, the bishop asked us, “Do you resolve to celebrate faithfully and reverently, in accord with the Church’s tradition, the mysteries of Christ, especially the sacrifice of the Eucharist and the sacrament of reconciliation, for the glory of God and the sanctification of the Christian people?”

Although we have many duties and functions as priests, in the mind of the ordinary Catholic faithful, we are priests because we can preside at the Eucharist and absolve sins in the confessional. We are priests called to bring to the Lord the sacrifice of thanksgiving from His worshiping people. We are priests called to bring the blessings of God to His chosen people. We are caretakers of the mysteries of God.

The faithful, reverent, dignified and solemn celebration of the mysteries of Christ is a mandate imposed on us by ordination. It is a solemn duty.

Good liturgy does not just happen. It is made to happen. Good liturgy calls for fervent preparation and attentive care.

Within this spirit, I wish to raise some issues in our Catholic parishes and communities to help bring about a more inspiring and truly edifying liturgical worship.

Cleanliness is next to Godliness. I encourage you to maintain the cleanliness of our sacred vessels particularly our chalices and ciboria. God deserves the best. Sacred vessels need regular metal plating to maintain their luster befitting the divine worship.

The altar linens—corporal, purificator and finger towel—are not interchangeable. The corporal is named such because it receives the “corpus” crumbs that may fall from the host when we break the Host at Lamb of God. The corporal must be laid out on the altar only at the presentation of bread and wine and folded back after the purification of the vessels. It must not be left on the altar. According to traditional practice, the corporal is “starched” after washing so that it will be stiff when used at the altar. The “starched stiffness” facilitates finding the crumbs that may fall on it during the Eucharist. The purificator is used to wipe the chalice for droplets of water and wine during the preparation of the gifts and for purifying the chalice, paten and ciborium after Communion. Traditionally, the purificator has an embroidered cross which rests on the mouth of the chalice or some liturgical symbols on the sides. The finger towel is used for drying the hands after washing. To distinguish it from the purificator, the embroidered cross of the finger towel is usually on the corner and not in the middle. Please instruct your sacristans and altar servers to observe the proper use of altar linens.

We must take special care that our Mass vestments are clean and dignified. Cleanliness and dignity need not be expensive. Dignity and cleanliness in the choice and use of liturgical vestments is not optional. It is imperative on account of the dignity of the liturgy we celebrate. Please dispose of old, tattered and faded vestments properly by burning them.

The church and its surroundings must be kept clean too from trash candy wrappers, soiled missalettes and even stuck chewing gums on the church flooring. Cleanliness is next to Godliness. The church must be the cleanest place in the community.

He who Sings Well Prays Twice. Singing is a form of worship. Singing together also promotes the spirit of unity and communion. Please encourage the choirs to undertake their task as a ministry and not as a performance for public adulation. It is important that the community is animated to join the choir in singing our songs during the liturgy. Secular love songs, even if they have religious themes, do not have any place in the divine liturgy. In obedience to the instructions of the Holy See and until the rules pertaining to dancing within the liturgy have been approved by the Episcopal Commission on Liturgy, please refrain from the practice of having children or young people dance in the parish sanctuary.

And the Greatest of These is Love. Love is best expressed in silence. Where silence is observed, fervor is maintained. Let me offer to you these words from Saint Charles Borromeo on whose feastday, I was installed as your pastor: “You must realize that for us churchmen, nothing is more necessary than meditation. We must meditate before, during and after everything we do. Would you like me to tell you how to give God more pleasing worship? Stay quiet with God. Do not spend your time in useless chatter.”

Please teach the flock again about the Catholic practice of genuflecting before the tabernacle, the observance of prayerful silence in the church, modesty in dress and the discourtesy of chewing gum or using cell phones in the church.

Finally, liturgy is not just obedience to the rubrics and instructions. Good liturgy must make us more loving. Good liturgy cannot save. Only the power of love can bring us to heaven. As a fruit of the faithful and reverent celebration of the mysteries of Christ, we must become more caring and attentive to the needs of the least, the last and the lost. Good liturgy can sanctify only to the extent that it leads us to serve, imitating the example of Him who stooped down to wash the feet of His disciples. Sunday must not only be the dies Domini. May it become too our dies caritatis.

May Saint John, the Beloved Disciple, our patron, help us to grow in holiness and lead us to share the same gift of holiness to all those entrusted to our care.

From the Cathedral of Saint John the Evangelist, December 31, 2009.

+SOCRATES B. VILLEGAS Archbishop of Lingayen Dagupan

Binday Chapel rebuilt; Father Soc Celebrates Fiesta Mass

San Fabian – 27 December 2009. Typhoon Cosme unleashed its fury last 18 May 2008 and destroyed hundreds of properties, including houses, mainly along the coastal areas of Pangasinan. San Fabian was battered by the strong winds of Typhoon Cosme which at that time blew away the roof of the rectory, the parish church and several buildings of the parochial school.

The chapel of Barangay Binday was one those destroyed by the strong winds of Typhoon Cosme. Its roof was completely blown away; its walls were rendered dangerously unstable. The chapel was immediately abandoned, but plans were also immediately made to reconstruct it.

For more than a year, masses were regularly celebrated not in the chapel but at the Day Care Center, and sometimes at residential houses of the faithful. Understandably, mass attendance went down. While the people were raising funds for its reconstruction, they were hoping and praying that their chapel would soon be opened once again for the celebration of the Eucharist.

The floodwaters of Typhoon Pepeng

On 9 October 2009, another calamity struck the province of Pangasinan. San Fabian was not spared by the rushing floodwaters brought about by Typhoon Pepeng’s continuous downpour which inundated almost the whole province of Pangasinan. Twenty-three houses in Barangay Binday were swept away by the rushing waters of the swollen Bued river which also destroyed the irrigation canals of the place.

Colliers International

In 4 November 2009, Fr. Francisco Ungria, Jr., a native son of San Fabian, and presently the parish priest of St. John the Baptish Parish, San Juan, Metro Manila, brought with him a check in the amount of Phil. Pesos One Hundred Thousand (P100,000.00). In lieu of the traditional gifting of the company to their clients, Colliers International has on behalf of their valued clients donated the amount to assist the reconstruction efforts of the people of Binday. Immediately, the much needed materials for the reconstruction were bought; while the labor was provided by the people, “tagnawa” or “bayanihan” style. The reconstruction of Binday Chapel started immediately. A little more than a month later, the reconstruction was finished.

Fiesta of the Barangay Chapel

Binday Chapel is dedicated to the Holy Family whose feast falls this year on 27 December 2009, the last Sunday of the year. The Most Rev. Socrates B. Villegas, DD went to Barangay Binday to join the people in celebrating their fiesta, and to bless the newly reconstructed chapel.

Archbishop Villegas was welcomed by the residents at the barangay boundary. The Anonang Drum and Lyre Corp was there to welcome the archbishop on his first visit to a barangay in San Fabian. There were hundreds who participated in the procession carrying the patron of the place, and the image of the Divine Mercy. Initially, the people adorned a local “koliglig” for the good archbishop to ride during the procession, but Msgr. Socrates Villegas opted to walk with the people.

The mass was celebrated in the chapel with hundreds in attendance. The Archbishop spoke about the love for God manifested by the people of Binday as shown in their desire to reconstruct their chapel in spite of the many difficulties they had encountered brought about by the calamities.

The people of Binday could only say with so much gratitude and love: “Salamat ya balbaleg ed sikayon amin!”

Archbishop Socrates B. Villegas, DD with Fr. Oliver E. Mendoza, parish priest and Rev. Estephen Espinoza, parish deacon.

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To see more pictures of the Fiesta and blessing of the chapel in Binday, please click HERE.

Barangay Visitation ends

19 December 2009 – San Fabian. After almost seven months, and weekly visitation of the different barangays of San Fabian by the images of the Divine Mercy and the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Barangay Visitation ended today, 19 December 2009. The last barangay to hold the visitation was Barangay Nibaliw East.

On 12 December 2009, Saturday Nibaliw East held its farewell liturgy after welcoming the sacred images last 15 December 2009 from Nibaliw Center.  The images stayed in the barangay hall since the barangay has no chapel yet. The residents held a procession around the barangay on 17 December 2009.

Barangy Nibaliw Center welcomed the sacred images from Nibaliw West. The images stayed in the barangay for four days and three nights before they were finally brought to Barangay Nibaliw East, the last barangay to hold the Visitation.

The farewell mass of the Visitation in Barangay NIbaliw was held on 19 December 2009. There were 50 children who received the Sacrament of Baptism. Fr. Oliver E. Mendoza celebrated the mass and the sacrament of baptism.

The images were then brought to the Parish Church from Nibaliw East. The procession carrying the images marked the end of the Barangay Visitation.

A devotee kissing the Blessed Virgin Mary.

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To see more pictures of the Barangay Visitation in Nibaliw West, please click HERE.

To see more pictures of the Barangay Visitation in Nibaliw East, please click HERE.

“Panangaro na Ina, Regalo na Ina”

San Fabian -- 8 December 2009. To celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, the Parish of St. Fabian, Pope and Martyr, held an early gift-giving program to marginalized families of the parish. The gift-giving activity was dubbed "Panangaro na Ina, Regalo na Ina" showing the love of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Gift she had given us through her Son could be our model in sharing and loving our fellowmen, especially the most vulnerable in our community.

"Panangaro na Ina, Regalo na Ina" is a project program of the Social Action Apostolate of the Archdiocese. The different parishes and chaplaincies of the archdiocese simultaneously held this gift-giving activity. The gifts consisted of kilos of rice, noodles and canned goods, including clothes which were received by the archdiocese through the Social Action Apostolate from different groups and individuals in the Philippines and from abroad. There were 150 families who took part in the "Panangaro na Ina, Regalo na Ina."

The parish held the activity at 2 o'clock in the afternoon. The families were gathered at the parish Church where a sharing on the Divine Mercy was done. The parish has had a strong devotion to the Mercy of God and considers the recent program as a corporal work of mercy.

A Holy Mass was celebrated with the families. Fr. Oliver E. Mendoza, the parish priest, celebrated the Eucharist.

The families had a great time at the Parish Center after receiving their gift-box. The Parish Center was transformed into a huge "Ukay-Ukay" center where the individual members of the families got to pick and try the clothes they liked and needed.

The Parish Social Action team prepared and repacked the gifts, and supervised the whole activity.It was a fitting tribute to a Mother who gave her all, including her Son for the salvation of all.

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To see more pictures of “Panangaro na Ina, Regalo na Ina” gift-giving program, pleas click HERE.

Barangay Nibaliw Narvarte welcomes the images of the Divine Mercy and the Blessed Virgin Mary

San Fabian – 5 December 2009. The residents of Barangay Narvarte went all out in welcoming the images of the Divine Mercy and the Blessed Virgin Mary last 28 November 2009. The adult formation program was held on 3 December 2009.

The Farewell Mass held last 5 December at the yard of Casupang family was attended by an overflowing devotees. There were 16 children who received the sacrament of baptism.

Fr. Oliver E. Mendoza celebrated the mass.

A procession was held to bring the images to the next host barangay, Brgy. Nibaliw Vidal.

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To see more pictures of the Barangay Visitation in Brgy. Nibaliw Narvarte, please click HERE.

Handog Choir joins MBC National Choral Competition

San Fabian – 5 December 2009. The HANDOG Parish Choir of the Parish of St. Fabian, Pope and Martyr, has qualified in the Semi-finals for the Manila Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) National Choral Competition.

The Manila Broadcasting Company Choral Competition is a nationwide search for the best choirs in the country to compete in the MBC National Choral Festival from December 15 to 19, 2009.  Grand finals will be held at the Aliw Theater.  P100,000 will be at stake for each champion chorale in the Children’s Choir and Open categories.

The top 20 children’s choirs and 20 outstanding vocal ensembles for the Open category will take part in the semifinals scheduled on Dec. 15-18 at the Star Theater, capped by the grand finals at the Aliw Theater on Dec. 19. Last year winners were Coro de Manila in the Open Category and Hiyas ng Pilipinas in the Children’s Choir Category.

The Handog Choir is competing under the Open Category. It is bracketed with the defending champion Coro de Manila, and the choirs of the University of the Cordilleras, Tarlac State University, FEU Chorale and the Genesis Chorale.

MBC has asked the choirs to render one novelty song each apart from the designated contest piece, and to submit three additional elective works from which the judges will choose on the spot which number they would like the choir to sing. Participating choirs will then be judged according to musicality (40 percent), presentation (30 percent), and audience impact (30 percent).

Handog is under the leadership of Bro. Xavier Narvas. It is composed of the members of the Parish Youth Apostolate Committee. They sing regularly during the afternoon mass of Sundays at 4,30 PM.

The whole Parish of St. Fabian, Pope and Martyr, is proud to have her own choir in such a prestigious competition. We are praying for your success! God bless you!

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Website of the MBC.

Please click HERE for the Philippines Star report.

Bro. Estephen Mark Rayos Espinoza ordained as Deacon

San Fabian – 30 November 2009. In a solemn liturgical rite, Bro. Estephen Mark Espinoza was ordained to the Sacred Order of Deacons by the laying on of hands by the Most Rev. Socrates B. Villegas, DD, the Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan last 30 November, Feast of St. Andrew, the Apostle.

A deacon is ordained to become a servant in the Lord’s Church, the closest co-worker of the bishop and the priests in a diocese. He serves the community by assisting in the celebration of the Eucharist. A deacon also serves by proclaiming the Gospel and through works of charity for the people of God.

Several Firsts

The ordination of Rev. Estephen was the first ordination to be held and celebrated in the Parish of St. Fabian, Pope and Martyr. In his exhortation to the ordinandus, Archbishop Socrates B. Villegas, DD mentioned that Rev. Estephen’s ordination is his first ordination as an Archbishop.

Parishioners of St. Fabian as well as parishioners from the home parish of Rev. Estephen joined him and his family on this grace-filled celebration.

The celebration began at 3:00 PM with a procession led by His Excellency Socrates B. Villegas, the Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan, and the Most Rev. Renato P. Mayugba, DD, the Auxiliary, together with clergy of the Archdiocese.

Rite of Ordination

Rev. Fr. Arvin Soriano, formator of the Immaculate Conception School of Theology where the new deacon graduated, presented him to the Archbishop, as he testified to his worthiness of being ordained to the diaconate upon the recommendation of those concerned with his training at the seminary.

Celibacy and the Examination

The Commitment to Celibacy was given by the ordinandus for the sake of the kingdom in the service of God and man. The ordinandus was also examined by the Archbishop on the following: his willingness to be ordained for the Church’s ministry, his resolution to discharge the office of deacon with humility and love, to hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience and to proclaim the same faith in word and action as taught by the Gospel and the Church’s tradition. Finally, he was asked on his resolution to maintain and deepen a spirit of prayer appropriate on his way of life, to celebrate faithfully the liturgy of the hours.

Before he was ordained, Bro. Estephen promised respect and obedience to Archbishop Socrates B. Villegas and to his successors.

Bro. Estephen, just before the laying on of hands, prostrated himself at the sanctuary. This act of prostration was a manifestation of his humility. Because he is weak and sinful, the church needs the assistance of the saints so that God will accept the ordinandus into His service and give him the graces necessary as Bro. Estephen offers his life to the service of the Church.

While prostrated, the litany of the saint was sung by the choir.

The central part of the ordination rite is the imposition of hands of the Archbishop over the head of Bro. Estephen. This gesture is an eminent tradition in the Church since the time of the Apostles signifying election by God. This was done in silence. The prayer of consecration followed.

The stole and the Book of the Gospels

After the prayer of consecration, the Rev. Estephen was invested with the deacon’s stole and the dalmatics, the official vestment of a deacon. Fr. Francis C. Posadas, the Team Moderator of the Epiphany of our Lord Parish, Lingayen, Pangasinan and the parents of Rev. Estephen, Atty. and Mrs. Marcelo Espinoza, assisted the newly ordained deacon in the investiture of the stole and the dalmatics.

Rev. Estephen was then presented with the Book of the Gospels by the Archbishop with these words: “Receive the Gospel of Christ, whose herald you now are. Believe what you read, preach what you believe and practice what you teach”.\

First Assignment

Msgr. Rafael S. Magno, Jr., the Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan, read the Mandate of the Archbishop regarding the assignment of Rev. Estephen. He was assigned as the resident deacon of the Parish of St. Fabian, Pope and Martyr.

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To see more pictures of the Diaconate Ordination of Rev. Estephen Mark R. Espinoza, please click HERE.

Barangay Poblacion holds Visitation

San Fabian – 28 November 2009. Barangay Poblacion welcomed the image of the Divine Mercy and the Blessed Virgin Mary as part of the Visitation Program of the Parish. The Visitation refers to the visit of the image of the Divine Mercy and the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary to a barangay for one week.

Barangay Poblacion, however, had their Visitation for only five days from 23-28 November. This was because the images stayed in Barangay Sagud Bahley for two more days due to the Vicariate celebration of Christ the King held last 30 November.

The Farewell Mass was held on 28 November 2009, Saturday. The Sacrament of Baptism was celebrated after the mass. A procession from Barangay Poblacion to Barangay Nibaliw Sabangan was held.

The Holy Mass was held at the Corpuz residence where the images were also kept for the nightly vigil.

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To see more pictures of the Visitation in Barangay Poblacion, please click HERE.

More than 50 Corros celebrate Feast of the Miraculous Medal of the BVM

San Fabian – 27 November 2009. The more than 50 corros or Cenacle Groups of 30 members came together to celebrate the Feast of the Miraculous Medal of the Blessed Virgin Mary. A procession was held at 5:00 AM with the different corros brining with them their statues of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The members of the families of each corro took part in the procession. The Holy Mass was celebrated after the procession.

Fr. Oliver E. Mendoza, the parish priest, celebrated the Mass in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The Miraculous Medal

The Miraculous Medal comes directly from the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God and our Mother; it is a gift from heaven which has never ceased to effect marvels of grace throughout the entire world. This medal is a very simple and very efficacious means to benefit from the protection of Mary in all our necessities, both spiritual and temporal.

On November 27, 1830, in a residence of the Daughters of Charity, at the Chapel of the Rue du Bac in Paris, the Most Blessed Virgin appeared to Saint Catherine Labouré (1806-1876) for the second time. On this day the Queen of Heaven was seen with a globe under Her feet and holding in Her hands, at the level of the heart, another smaller globe, which She seemed to be offering to Our Lord in a gesture of supplication. Suddenly, Her fingers were covered with rings and beautiful jewels; the rays from these streamed in all directions.

“Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us”

The Blessed Virgin looked down on the humble novice who was contemplating Her. “Behold,” She said, “the symbol of the graces that I bestow on those who ask Me for them. The jewels which remain in the shadows symbolize the graces that one forgets to ask Me for,” the Virgin continued. And Catherine Labouré wrote later, “She made me understand how generous She is towards persons who pray to Her, how many graces She grants those who ask Her for them, and what joy She has to bestow them!” Then there formed around the Mother of God an oval background on which was written in gold letters: O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee.

Corro 1, the oldest Circle, at almost 70 years old

The oldest corro or circle of members of 30 families is Corro 1. It was formed in the late 1930’s. The present members of Corro 1 are the children of the original members of Corro 1. The first corro in San Fabian is thus more than 70 years old.

Mr. Wenceslao Sagun narrated that during the Japanese time, i.e., 1941-1945, the statue which Corro 1 members are keeping today, was under his family’s care. It was hidden and protected by the Sagun family during the whole duration of World War II.

 

  Some of the more than 50 corros of the Miraculous Medal of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Barangay Sagud Bahley celebrates Visitation

Sa Fabian – 23 November 2009. Barangay Sagud Bahley held its Barangay Visitation for nine days instead of the usual one week. The Vicariate celebration of the Solemnity of Christ the King moved the Farewell Mass from 21 November, Saturday to 23 November, Monday, a day after the Christ the King celebration.

The image of the Divine Mercy and the Blessed Virgin Mary were carried in the procession in honor of Christ the King. Thus, they had to be brought from the barangay chapel of Sagud Bahley to the parish church on 21 November.

The Farewell Mass was celebrated by Fr.Oliver E. Mendoza. There were 16 children who received the Sacrament of Baptism. The images were brought in a procession to Barangay Poblacion after the Farewell Mass.

  To see more pictures of the Visitation in Barangay Sagud Bahley, please click HERE.

More Pictures with Fr. Soc

San Fabian – 22 November 2009.

Fr. Soc during the Exposition and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament Fr. Soc with some members of the Mother Butler’s Guild

Fr. Soc with members of the Accommodations Committee of the Christ the King Celebration 2009, just before the Holy Mass.

Viva Cristo Rey! San Fabian Parish hosts Vicariate III celebration of Christ the King

San Fabian – 22 November 2009. The Parish of St. Fabian, Pope and Martyr hosted this year’s Vicariate III, Our Lady of the Rosary, celebration of the Solemnity of Christ the King. The parishes of the Vicariate III are: Parish of St. Fabian, Pope and Martyr, San Fabian; Parish of St. Thomas Aquinas, Mangaldan; Parish of St. Joseph, the Patriach, Mapandan; Parish of St. Hyacinth, San Jacinto; Parish of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, Manaoag and Parish of the Holy Cross, Laoac. The parishes take turn in hosting the annual celebration of the solemnity of Christ the King.

The new Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan, Most Rev. Socrates B. Villegas, DD, was the main celebrant. The priests of the Vicariate con-celebrated with him. They priests who joined the celebration were: Fr. Rene E. Mendoza, Fr. Genaro Herramia, the Vicar Forane, Fr. Alvin Platon, Fr. Manuel Sayson, Fr. Jose Laforteza and Fr. Raymund Manaois.

Youth Camp and Vigil

The Vicariate III youth held a youth camp and vigil in celebration of the Christ the King. The youth camp was held in the afternoon of 21 November 2009. The overnight vigil started with a mass celebrated by Fr. Alvin Platon in the evening of Saturday, the eve of the solemnity of Christ the King. 

There were about 800 youth who participated in the camp and vigil. There were talks given by priests of the Vicariate in the afternoon of Saturday.

In the morning of Sunday, the youth went to some Barangays and joined some families in reading and sharing the Bible with them.

Procession and Benediction

The celebration began with the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament by Archbishop Socrates Villegas. The Blessed Sacrament was then carried in the procession participated in by the hundreds of parishioners from the parishes of Vicariate III. The procession started at 2:00 PM.

The youth of the Vicariate joined the procession after an overnight vigil. The Honor Guards of the Knights of Columbus accompanied the Blessed Sacrament as it was being carried during the procession.

The statues of St. Fabian, the patron of the parish, and the Blessed Virgin Mary and the image of the Divine Mercy were also carried during the procession.

Msgr. Socrates Villegas and the priests took turn in carrying the monstrance. As the Blessed Sacrament was being carried in  the procession, the people were seen kneeling in adoration and thanksgiving.

The Benediction was given by Msgr. Socrates Villegas after the procession. Mayor Mojamito R. Libunao led the Consecration of Mankind to Christ the King.

Holy Eucharist

Msgr. Socrates Villegas  was the main presider of the Holy Mass. In his homily, Msgr. Socrates Villegas spoke about the meaning of the Sign of the Cross. He urged the people to make the sign of the cross as a sign of their dedication of their mind, their love and action to Christ the King.

Fr. Oliver E. Mendoza, the Parish Priest, thanked the parishioners of St. Fabian who not only welcomed the devotees to the parish but helped and supported the parish in making the celebration more meaningful. He expressed his gratitude also to the parishes of the Vicariate and to Msgr. Socrates B. Villegas, DD. He said, “Ang Parokya ng San Fabian, Papa at Martir, at ang buong Vicariate III ay nagpapasalamat po sa inyo, Father Soc, ang ating mahal na arsobispo. Alam namin ng kayo ay dumating dito sa Arkidiosis ng Lingayen-Dagupan ay handang-handang po kayo na paglingkuran at mahalin kami .… Kami po ay taos pusong nagsasabi din sa inyo na kami pong lahat ay handa rin po kaming mahalin kayo. At maging banal na ASIN sa Pangasinan!”

The Next Host: The Parish of St. Hyacinth

Fr. Genaro Herramia announced to the people that unless  the Vicariate celebration of Christ the King would not be held next year, the next host of the celebration of Vicariate III Christ the King is the Parish of St. Hyacinth, San Jacinto, Pangasinan.

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To see more pictures of the celebration, please click HERE.

Solemnity of Christ the King Schedule

22 November 2009, Sunday

• 1:00 PM   Assembly at the Church Patio
• 2:00 PM   Procession/Benediction

ORDER OF PROCESSION

1.    San Fabian PNI/Traffic Policemen
2.    Longos Elementary School DLC
3.    Cereales
4.    Boy and Girl Scouts
5.    Anonang Elementary School DLC
6.    Vicariate Youth
7.    Statue of St. Fabian, Pope and Martyr
8.    Holy Cross Parish, Laoac
9.    Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, Manaoag
10.    Anonang National High School DLC
11.    St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, Mangaldan
12.    St. Joseph Parish, Mapandan
13.    San Fabian Integrated School DLC
14.    Statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary
15.    St. Hyacinth Parish, San Jacinto
16.    Archdiocesan School of San Fabian DLC
17.    Knights of Columbus
18.    Blessed Sacrament
19.    Vicariate III Clergy
20.    San Fabian Parish
21.    San Fabian National High School DLC

• 4:00 PM  Holy Mass
• Most Rev. Socrates B. Villegas, DD
• Main Celebrant

Barangay Cayanga welcomes the Image of the Divine Mercy and the Blessed Virgin Mary

San Fabian – 14 November 2009. It is the turn of Barangay Cayanga to welcome the image of the Divine Mercy and the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary as part of the Barangay Visitation Program of the parish. Barangay Cayanga hosted the Visitation from 7 – 14 November 2009. The images were received by them from Brgy. Longos Central.

The images were carried in a procession on the first day of the visitation around the barangay. Nightly vigils were scheduled, and different groups were on hand to keep vigil.

The Adult Formation seminar was held on 13 November 2009. The Farewell Mass was held on 14 November, Saturday with Fr. Oliver E. Mendoza as the celebrant. It was held at the yard of Sis. Aurea Ballesta.

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To see more pictures of the Visitation in Brgy. Cayanga, please click HERE.

Liturgical Greeters and Usherettes

Liturgical Greeters and Usherettes of the Parish of St. Fabian, Pope and Martyr with Rev. Fr. Oliver E. Mendoza, Parish Priest.

Barangay Longos Central holds Visitation

San Fabian – 7 November 2009. The waters had receded and the mud had dried, weeks after the flood of 9 October 2009 submerged Barangay Longos Central. In an expression of gratitude and hope-filled trust in God’s Mercy, the residents of Longos Central welcomed the sacred images of the Divine Mercy and the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The Adult Formation Seminar was held last 6 November from 5 pm to 9 pm; while the Youth Encounter was held from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon of the same week.

The sacred images stayed in the barangay for a week from 31 October to 7 November. The Farewell Liturgy was held after a week on 7 November 2009, Saturday. The mass was celebrated by Fr. Oliver E. Mendoza, the parish priest. A lone child received the sacrament of baptism. The participants of the Youth Encounter had their confession with Fr. Oliver.

The residents held a procession to bring the sacred images from Longos Central to Barangay Cayanga, the next host of the barangay visitation.

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To see more pictures of the Barangay Visitation in Longos Central, please click HERE.

Installation Pictures by Noli I. Yamsuan

More pictures of the Canonical Installation of the Most Rev. Socrates B. Villegas, DD as Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan (4 November 2009, 10:00 AM) at the Metropolitan Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Dagupan City.

Taken from the website of the Archdiocese of Manila.
Photos by Noli I. Yamsuan.

Please click HERE.

Salt of the Earth

Homily delivered by His Excellency, Archbishop Socrates B. Villegas on the occasion of his installation as Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan, held last 4 November 2009 at the Cathedral of Saint John the Evangelist, Dagupan City at 10:00 am.

The ways of the Lord are mysterious and hard to comprehend. Eighteen years ago, before Archbishop Cruz was installed Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan, Dagupan was hit by a severe earthquake that rendered the city in shambles and the old cathedral in ruins. This year, apparently in preparation for this momentous occasion, the Archdiocese was hit with massive flooding that rendered great havoc upon our flock. Our gathering of joy is mixed with sentiments of uncertainty about what lies ahead of Pangasinan. I know that faith of the Pangasinenses is strong and firm. I want to assure though: it is not Archbishops who cause disasters to happen!

The ways of the Lord are awesome and marvelous. He called me to be a priest and gave me a revolutionary Cardinal as my mentor and guide. My priesthood was born from the dawn of EDSA people power in 1986. My vocation was nurtured by the street revolutionaries of the EDSA shrine. Then the Church sent me on a mission to Bataan, famous for the Death March of the last world war. The long street from Mariveles and Bagac to San Fernando was sanctified by the glorious blood of the martyrs of the Second World War.

Today I begin my mission in Lingayen-Dagupan, the shadow of war still hovering over my priesthood because it was in Lingayen Gulf that the story of our liberation in 1945 began. The legendary General Douglas McArthur landed in Lingayen Gulf, waded through our waters to usher in a new day of freedom for our country. This province also carries in its history the revolutionary struggle of Andres Malong and the tyrannical reign of Limahong, a Chinese ruler. Lingayen Gulf is red with the blood of heroes.

With a deep sense of unworthiness and obedience to the Holy Father, Pope Bendict XVI, I accept the mission to be pastor of the Church in Lingayen-Dagupan. I am treading on the footsteps of a great man of the Church, an epic man who is himself larger than life, Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz. Archbishop Cruz is unique and irreplaceable. He was my first rector at San Carlos Seminary. I will only try to continue, using my very limited talents, the great work that he has left behind in the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan.

Inararok ya totoo'y Dios: Agko amta no pano’y mansalita na salita yo dia. Ibangat yo ak kumon no bilbilang aliwa so pansalitak o panangibagak ed salita yo. Labay kon aralen so salita yo dia.

My dear people of God, I do not know how to speak the dialect. Please teach me. I am willing to learn. If I make a mistake in pronouncing, please correct.

I come to live in your midst not as a liberator like McArthur or a revolutionary like Andres Malong or a tyrant like Limahong. I come to you as Jesus came, the servant who called us to “salt of the earth and light of the world”. You can call me Father Soc. Please give me a chance to love you, to serve you.

We are the salt of the earth, the Lord said to us in the Gospel. Pangasinan was named after asin --- panag-asinan. We who form the Catholic faithful in Lingayen-Dagupan, living in the province that is named after salt, must truly be salt for society and salt for the rest of the world. Like ASIN, let us embark together on mission for social transformation and Church renewal.

A is for apostolic action nurtured by prayer. Our first and only power is the Lord and our first and only way to the Lord is love. We must pray but it is not enough to pray. Our prayer must make us think and talk and listen and act and be like Jesus --- that is the apostolic action that we need in the Church. Any pastoral action or assembly that does not come from prayer will fail. Any prayer that does not lead us to apostolic charity will wither. Love without service is mere sentimentalism. Service without prayer is social activism.

S is for sanctified and sanctifying community of disciples. United by baptism, united in prayer, united through charity, we will become saints together in Pangasinan. To be holy is our one and only vision. Everything and anything that leads us astray from this path must be cast aside. We are called to sanctify, to lead and to teach. We are here not by worthiness but by favor. None of us is worthy, we were just chosen in spite of. We do not sanctify ourselves; God does. We do not sanctify other; God does. We are a community not an organization. None of us is master; all of us are disciples.

I is for integration of faith and life. The Church is hurt not just by heresies against the truth. The Church is also damaged when the faith of her children are not matched by witnessing. We do not only share a common doctrine. We also share one common morality. What does it matter if we understand the mystery of the Trinity but do not live the love that binds the Trinity? The Church and her priests would be more credible prophet in society if the stomach of the preacher would be as empty as his parishioners. Brother priests, I bid you: Go preach the gospel. Talk if necessary. Pangasinan does not need teachers. Pangasinan needs witnesses. Fathers: Give us Jesus, only Jesus, always Jesus.

N is for new and intensive evangelization. Evangelization by its nature is confrontational. We cannot proclaim Jesus and waltz with corruption in public or in private. We cannot be rightly called Christians and play games with evil. Evangelization is a call to die. Evangelization demands conversion. Evangelization may not always be pleasant. It can hurt both preacher and hearer. It can make the hearer take revenge on the preacher. But evangelization is the only way for the Church. we would betray the Lord I we won’t. only the brave and the loyal can truly evangelize.

My brother priests – be the salt of the Church and society. By your ministry, may the people taste the goodness of the Lord. Be happy givers! Be holy priests by your courageous and generous self-sacrifice! Bawal and paring duwag! Bawal and paring kuripot! Show them the face of Jesus, the joy of the world! We need to pray together and we must be saints together! When the time comes for me to return to the Father and my name would be dropped from the Eucharistic prayer, I only want to be remembered as the bishop who loved you, my priests!

My dear Catholic laity – be the salt of Pangasinan. By your life in the family and your work in society, preserve – like salt – our heritage of hard work and diligence in northern Philippines. Preserve – like salt – the Catholic faith. Keep the faith alive and young, vibrant and loyal.

My dear children and youth, be the salt of earth. May your lives be clear like crystal salt, pure and fresh and always new. By our young and restive hearts, may we your elders find new inspiration. Your mission as Church youth is to inspire and to ignite.

My poor brothers and sisters from the far barangays, be the salt of the society. Even if sometimes, salt and rice is all we can eat, do not forget your dignity as children of God.

No anggano maminsan et asin tan belas labat so kakanen tayo, agtayo kumon lilingwanan so dignidad tayo a sakey ya anak na Dios.

As an expression of solidarity with the flood victims of Pangasinan now in need of help to start again, we will not have any lunch reception after our liturgy. The money that will be saved from your act of sacrifice will be used to help the poor of Pangasinan. This is not being kuripot. This is pakikipag-kapwa tao. This is charity. This is what God told us to do. I believe this is what Jesus would have done if he were in Dagupan.

My dear government officials, give us the salt of livelihood and honest public service. Spare the people from salty words of anger and malicious conduct that kill and destroy. Serve the people wit honesty. Serve the people well. We can work together for the people.

Pangasinan, bayang mayumi, asin ng pamayanan.
Bagong lasa and handog at sariwang kasiglahan.
Asin ka ng kabuhyana, nag-aalaga sakabataan
Pangasinan, aming Ina, aming mahal, aming hiran!

Dagupan and taguri, dating tawag “nandaragupan”
Dahil dito’y nagtipon and sari-saring katauhan
Lingayen naman ang tawag naming sa pusod na pinagmulan
Lagi naming gnililingon, tinatanaw na kagandahan.

Ang Diyos ay papurihan ng bayan ng Pangasinan,
Ipangaral ang Ebanhelyo sa Lingayen-Dagupan
Bawat bayan ay lumuhod at sa Diyos ay magpugay,
Ipagbunyi ang Pangasinan, ipagdangal ang Maykapal!

People of God in the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan, I am all yours. Take me as your own. I embrace you n ow as my very own. God has given u each other. Let us give ourselves to the Lord. Amen.

Archbishop Socrates B. Villegas installed as the Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan

Dagupan City – 4 November 2009. In solemn rites, Msgr. Socrates Buenaventura Villegas was installed as the Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan at 10:00 AM at the St. John the Evangelist Parish Church, Dagupan City. The Canonical Installation was attended by 70 arch/bishops, and more than 350 priests coming from different arch/dioceses of the country, and participated in by more than 3,000 guest and visitors coming from Bataan where Msgr. Socrates B. Villegas served as bishop prior to his appointment as archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan, and by visitors coming from Manila and nearby provinces.

Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales and Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal also attended the canonical installation. The Papal Nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Edward Joseph Adams formally installed the new archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan. Msgr. Rafael S. Magno, Jr, the Chancellor, read the message of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI.

The newly appointed archbishop was received by Msgr. Renato P. Mayugba, DD, the Auxiliary of Lingayen-Dagupan during the Rite of Reception.

Archbishop Socrates Villegas was ordained priest by then Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin in October 5, 1985. He was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Manila in July 25, 2001, and ordained Bishop and Titular of Nona in August 31, 2001. He was appointed Bishop of Balanga (Bataan) in May 3, 2004 and installed in July 3, 2004.

On 8 September 2009, Pope Benedict XVI accepted the resignation of Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz, DD as archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan and appointed Bishop Socrates B. Villegas as Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan.

Archbishop Socrates B. Villegas, DD with the clergy of the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan immediately after the canonical installation of Archbishop Soc.

Longos Parac-Parac goes out for the Barangay Visitation

31 October 2009 – San Fabian. Barangay Longos Parac-Parac is the host of this week’s Barangay Visitation of the images of the Divine Mercy and the Blessed Virgin Mary. It stayed in the barangay for one week, from 24-31 October 2009. On the last day, the whole barangay went out for the farewell mass and the procession.

It was one of the biggest gatherings for the weekly Barangay Visitation. After the mass, there were 39 children who received the Sacrament of Baptism. There was one couple who received the sacrament of Matrimony.

Longos Parac-Parac has no chapel. The regular monthly mass is celebrated at the Day Care center. The barangay is considered one of the more depressed areas in San Fabian. During the last typhoon that inundated San Fabian, Longos Parac-Parac was one of the barangays that was heavily flooded.

Included in the visitation is Longos Amangunan which is a sitio of Longos Parac-Parac.

The sacred images were placed at the stage of the barangay where a makeshift shelter was built.

The procession brought the sacred images to the next barangay, Longos Central.

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To see more pictures of the Barangay Visitation in Longos Parac-Parac, kindly click HERE.

Makati Medical Center holds Medical Mission in San Fabian

30 October 2009 – San Fabian. The medical team of the Makati Medical Center held a medical mission for the people of San Fabian last 30 October 2009. The whole day medical mission was held at the Archdiocesan School of San Fabian. San Fabian was one of the hardest hit towns by Typhoon Pepeng. Typhoon Pepeng inundated several barangays and displaced thousands of residents. There were two (2) casualties reported in San Fabian during the Great Flood.

The Makati Medical Center team was composed of 80 medical personnel including 40 doctors. The medical mission started at 8:00 in the morning and ended at around 4:00 in the afternoon.

There were more than a thousand patients treated and given free medicines by the medical team. Patients came as early as 6 o’clock in the morning.

The parish provided free food and drinks to the patients during lunch break and while waiting for their turn to be treated by the doctors.

The medical mission was a gift to the people of San Fabian by Msgr. Socrates B. Villegas, DD, the new archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan. He coordinated with the Makati Medical Center for the much appreciated and valued medical mission.

The Parish ANTABAY Team (the Social Action Apostolate of the Parish) coordinated with the medical team.

To the Makati Medical Center Medical MissionTeam: Mabuhay po kayong lahat! Balbaleg ya salamet ed sikayon amin!

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To see more pictures of the Makati Medical Center medical mission in San Fabian, please click HERE and HERE.

Babasaen: Solemnidad na saray Sasanto

ONONAN BABASAEN Pu. 7:2-4, 9-14

Say libro na Puyan so mangipaparontal na saray nayarin nagawa diad kasamputay panaon: saray sasantos, saray matuor ya mananumbok nen Cristo, so akaalagey diad arapan na trono na Dios ya akasulong na ampoti tan maneemben na sangay palmera a simbolo na impanalod kasalanan tan patey.

Babasaen ya inaon ed libro na Puyan

Siak, si Juan, anengneng ko met ya ontatagey a nanlapud bokig so sananey ya anghil a walad sikatoy timbri na mabilay a Dios. Inkelyaw tod saramay apatiran anghil ya initday Dios na pakayarin manderal na dalin tan dayat, "Ag yo ni dederaley dalin, o say dayat, o saray kiew, anggad ag ni amarkaay muling da ray aripen na Dios tayo." Insan nibagad siak so bilang da ray amarkaan: sanlasus, apataplo tan apat a libo a nanlapud amin a boleg na saray totood Israel.

Kasumpal to ya, anengneng koy balbaleg a dagop na katoowan ya anggapoy makabilang lapud karakel da. Nanlapu rad amin a bansa, tribu, totoo, tan salita. Manalalagey irad arap na trono tan samay Kordiro. Akakawes iray ampoti tan sankabembenan da ray palapa na palma. Ineyag day maksil, "Say kilalaban manlalapud Dios tayo ya akayorung ed trono, tan say Kordiro!" Inmalagey ya amin iray anghil a walad kaliber-liber na trono, saramay mamatakken, tan saramay apatiran mabilay a pinalsa. Dinmakmomo rad arap na trono tan angigalang irad Dios. Inkuanda, "Amen! Anggad angga komun a kayaryay Dios tayo so dayew, galang, kakabatan, pisasalamat, tanduro, pakayari, tan biskeg! Amen!"

Tinepet ed siak na sakey ed saramay mamatakken, "Siopa ra tay totoon akaampoti, tan iner so nanlapwan da?"

"Ag ko amta," ebat ko. "Sikayoy makaamta."

Inkuantod siak, "Sikara yay totoon akaliktar ed baleg a kairapan. Inorasan tan pinapoti ray kawes da ed dala na Kordiro."

Salita na Katawan.

EBAT A SALMO

E/. KATAWAN, SIKARA YAN TOTOO SO MAMPIPILALEK A MAKANENGNENG ED LUPAM.

1. Kayaryay Katawan so mundo tan amin a logan to; kien toy dalin tan amin a manaayam ed dalin. Inletneg tod aralem a danum diad dalem na dalin tan inlira tod dalem na dayat iray pundasion to. E.
2. Siopay manepeg ya onkalab ed palandey na Katawan? Siopay nayarin onloob ed masanton Timplo to? Saray totoon malinis so gawa ra tan say kanunotan da, ag ira mangigagalang ed saray diriyos, tan ag da isisipan so ag da nagawaan. E.
3. Say Katawan bindisionan tan ilaban to ra; say Dios ibawag to ran anggapoy kasalanan. Sikara yan totoo so onsisingger ed Dios, tan oonlad arap na Dios nen Jacob. E.

KUMADWAN BABASAEN 1 Jn. 3:1-3

Babasaen ya inaon ed ononan sulat nen Juan

Nengneng yo so ontan lan panangaroy Ama ed sikatayo! Diad kabaleg na panangaro to atawag itayon anak na Dios-tan saya et tua. Ag itayo kabat na sankamundoan, ta say sankamundoan ag to akabat so Dios. Inararon anak, sikatayo natan so anak na Dios, balet aliwa nin malinew no antoy pagmaliwan tayo. Anggaman ontan, amta tayo a diad ipawil dia nen Cristo, magmaliw itayon singa sikato, ta nanengneng tayo diad dilin inkasikato. Balang sakey a wala yan ilalo tod Cristo linisan toy panagbilay to, a singa si Cristo et malinis.

Salita na Katawan.

ALLELUIA
E/. Alleluia. Dago kayod siak, kuay Katawan, amin yon nakekesawan ed panaawit yoy ambelat, ta pampainawaen ta kayo. E/. Alleluia.

IBANGHILYO Mat. 5:1-12

+Babasaen ya inaon ed masanton ibanghilyo onung ed kinen Mateo

Anengneng nen Jesus a dakerakel iray totoo, kanyan linmad nipokdul a pasen tan inmirung diman. Dinago na saray disipulo to, tan onyay imbangat tod sikara:

"Maliket iray mamibirbir na pankaukolan dad maispiritu ran bengatla, ta kayaryan day Panarian na tawen!
"Maliket iray maneermen, ta ligliwaen iray Dios!
"Maliket iray mapaabeba, ta tawiren day dalin ya insipay Dios!
"Maliket iray mampipilalek a manumpal na linaway Dios, ta iter tod sikaray pampilalekan da!
"Maliket iray mapangasi, ta kasian iray Dios!
"Maliket iray malinis so puso ra, ta napinengnengan day Dios!
"Maliket iray manggagaway polaing na mareen a panoolup da ray katoowan, ta ibilang iray Dios ya anak to!
"Maliket iray napapairap lapud panusumpal day linawa na Dios, ta kayaryan day Panarian To!
"Maliket kayo no sikayoy pabpabaingan, parpairapen, tan pagpaogesen na totoo lapud disipulo ta kayo. Manliket tan manggayaga kayo, ta balbaleg so tumang yod tawen. Onya met so impampapairap na totood saray propita ya akaonan nambibilay nen sikayo."

Ibanghilyo na Katawan.

LAPAG A PIKAKASI:
Padre: Lapud totoo itayoy Dios ed sayan mundo, pankakasakeyen tayoy pikakasi tayo ya mitekep ed amin da ray sasantos ed tawen para pankaukolan daray totoo ed anggan enerman.

Say ebat tayo: Katawan, dengel mo ray pikakasi mi.

1. Tapian say Simbaan, ya sikatoy maliket ya Ina daray grupo ray sasantos, et naawit to ray amin ya anak to ed nanarian na Dios; mikasi itayod Katawan.
2. Tapian amin daray totoon maong ya impanlinawa et naawit day matuan bilay tan magnayon ya kareenan lapud pananundon na dala nen Cristo; mikasi itayod Katawan.
3. Tapian saray napapairap lapud katuaan et nituloy day matunong a dalan na saray sasantos; mikasi itayod Katawan.
4. Tapian diad panag-awat tan panangibagat ed Eucharistia et naalmo tayo met komon so pakapinabang ed saray sasantos tan onggawan sasantos; mikasi itayod Katawan.
5. Para saray maniinagem, saray masegsegang, saray olila tan napapaolian ya ugugao, saray inmawet ya makasalanan, tan saray akasagmak na makasinaguem iran inkagawa tan para kimey tan getma na parochia tayo; mikasi itayod Katawan.
6. Tapian saray akauna ed sikatayo et niakar la ran magano ya makapinengneng ed Dios; mikasi itayod Katawan.
7. Para saray pilalek tayon nagamoran. (nunoten ira); mikasi itayod Katawan.

Padre: Ama, na kasantosan tan gracia, ibagat mi rayan kerew-kerew mi ya akitekep ed pikakasi na Virgen Maria tan saray sasantos ya sikaray nanmatalek ed panangasim ya nanengneng ed masanton impanbilay da. Amen.

Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag visits San Fabian

25 October 2009 – San Fabian. The image of the Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag came for a one-day visit to the Parish of St. Fabian, Pope and Martyr last 25 October, Sunday.

The visit came after the calamity of 9 October 2009 which inundated all the parishes of the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan affecting almost 105,960 families or about 529, 802 persons.

Archbishop Socrates B. Villegas asked the Dominican community of Manaoag to coordinate with the different parishes to facilitate the visit of the sacred image. Msgr. Socrates B. Villegas said, “Our people needs hope. Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag can give that. I claim it.”

The visit in the parish of St. Fabian coincided with the end of the novena to the Our Lady the Most Holy Rosary. The October is celebrated in the parish as the Rosary Month. At the end of the mass in the afternoon of Sunday, the sacred image of Our Lady of Manaoag was carried in a procession around the town proper. Hundreds of devotees joined in the procession honoring our Lady of Manaoag.

To see more pictures of the visit of Our Lady of Manaoag to San Fabian, please click HERE.

Longors Proper holds Barangay Visitation with a wedding

24 October 2009 – San Fabian. Brgy. Longos Proper welcomed the sacred images of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Divine Mercy for a week as part of the Barangay Visitation from 17 – 24 October 2009.

A wedding was celebrated during the farewell mass held on the last day of the visitation. There were also 12 children who received the Sacrament of Baptism.

The images were brought to Longos Parac-parac after a long procession.

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To see more pictures of the Visitation in Longos Proper, pleas click HERE.