New Retablo blessed by Archbishop Soc

20 January 2012 – San Fabian, Pangasinan. “Keep the story of this retablo alive. Tell your children who will tell their children’s children how we built the retablo. How the people of San Fabian in 2011 came together with a sense of mission, and with gratitude in their hearts, built this new and beautiful retablo!” Father Oliver E. Mendoza said in his message before the retablo of the church of the Parish of St. Fabian, Pope and Martyr, was formally blessed by Archbishop Socrates B. Villegas .

Mission 143-44: A Call to Mission of Gratitude

Fr. Mendoza further said as he traced how the retablo was built, “Last July 2011, we launched a fund raising campaign which we called “Mission: 143+44”. The campaign was a call to a mission of gratitude, and a call to love. Gratitude to our God who is generous. Say Dios ya iiter ton amin so nakaukolan tayo. Say Dios ya laiwan masbiblet! Tan say Dios ya no mangiter ed manlepwa, ag nasabaan”.

This new retablo is a work where you all are a part of. Every part of this retable comes from you. Kaiba kayo ed sayan agawa. Agya agawa no anggapo kayon akikasakey ya angiter na balbaleg ya pisasalamat ed say Dios a Katawan. Wala yan retablo lapud inter yo so pisasalamat yo ed say panangaro na Dios ed sikayo, tan diad parokia tayo ya San Fabian.”

The blessing was done during the Eucharistic Celebration in honor of the patron saint of the town, St. Fabian, Pope and Martyr, on 20 January 2012, at 5:00 PM.

Procession in honor of St. Fabian

A procession was held after the celebration of the Eucharist. It was participated in by the faithful, the members of the barangay ecclesial communities. The barangays brought the images and statues of their barangay patrons.

“Iba and Dios!”

In his homily, Archbishop Soc emphasized how differently God’s ways are in relation to man’s way and thinking. “God is not always practical, according to man’s thinking and man’s ways.” “’Iba ang Dios’ when he forgives and loves”, he further said.

Libro na Pisasalamat

The names of all the donors and all those who helped and supported the construction of the new retablo were enshrined in the new retablo. The names were written in the “Libro na Pisasalamat” which was put in a special place at the bottom of the Tabernacle of the retablo.

Archbishop Soc acknowledged the effort and the sacrifices of the parishioners of St. Fabian. “God knows the sacrifices you have made in order for the retablo to be made. Your names are in the heart of our Lord. They are kept near the Tabernacle where our Lord is.”

Pictures courtesy of Fr. Frank Ungria, Bro. Randolp Romero and Sis. Violy Omiles.