Knights of Columbus Council 5739 adopts a Community

1 September 2012- San Fabian, Pangasinan. “I came so that they might have life and have it abundantly. “(Jn 10,10). These words from the Gospel of John have inspired, motivated and moved the members of the Knight of Columbus Council 5739 of the Parish of St. Fabian, Pope and Martyr, to adopt one community that “they may have life and have it abundantly.”

Sitio Biew, Brgy. Tocok

The community of Sitio Biew, Brgy. Tocok, San Fabian, Pangsinan is home to about twenty-five families. Most of them have migrated to Sitio Biew hoping to find a place to build their dreams and aspirations. Opportunities for education and livelihood skills have eluded them for the years they have been in Sitio Biew. Poverty has become their way of life.

The members of the Knights of Columbus Council 5739 have been conducting regular meetings with the residents. They have been providing opportunities for growth and development through formation for community development and cooperation, providing avenues for spiritual formation as well as livelihood skills training.

The Parish of St. Fabian, Pope and Marty, through the Knights of Columbus and generous benefactors have committed itself in helping and providing support and opportunities for self-reliancy among the members of the community of Sitio Biew.

Mass and Baptisms

Rev. Fr. Oliver E. Mendoza celebrated mass and the sacrament of baptism with the community last 10 August 2012. There were more than 30 children who received the Sacrament of Baptism.

The Knights of Columbus prepared a simple arroz caldo for the residents. Sis. Silvana M. de Vera provided delicious empanada as added menu for everybody.

The community has been processed and assessed with the following basic needs, like: potable drinking water, bathrooms and toilets for their basic personal needs, and livelihood opportunities, especially for the women of the community to augment the meager income of the menfolk.

Houses for Binday, Trees for the Theology Seminary

The Knights of Columbus of the Parish of St. Fabian, Pope and Martyr, Council 5739 has been helping and lending their support to the twenty-five families of  Binday, San Fabian, Pangasinan in building their houses in the newly constructed Holy Family Village.  The flood waters of Typhoon Pepeng in 2009 have destroyed and washed away their houses and lands.

They have also been planting trees for the Theology Seminary in Brgy. Palapad, San Fabian, Pangasinan.

Knights of Columbus Council 5739 of the Parish of St. Fabian, Pope and Martyr is led by Grand Knight James Gutay

Photos courtesy of Bro. Bernie Solis and Bro. Pompeyo Tercero of KC 5739