Community builds Calungsod church

By Jason A. Baguia Cebu Daily News

Toledo City The Catholic faithfuls here are rushing to finish the church of the Blessed Pedro Calungsod before his canonization in the Vatican on Oct. 21 this year.

From a chapel made of wood and tin roof in 2006, the churchgoers are now rushing to finish the Pedro Calungsod church that sits atop a hill with a 360-degree view of the lush mountains of the city.

In 2006, the Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal approved the establishment of the parish church in the name of Calungsod whose origins was traced to the Visayas.

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma was all praises to the Blessed Pedro Calungsod parishioners during Sundays seventh annual fiesta, which also marks the sixth anniversary of the parish in barangay Cantabaco.

I am glad to see that there have been many improvements in your church since my last visit, Archbishop Palma told a congregation of about 1,000.

He was impressed with the churchs newly tiled floors, stained glass windows depicting the mysteries of the Holy Rosary, and scenes from Calungsods life.

The rectory, flooring, sanctuary finishing, churchyard landscaping and other parts of the church have yet to see completed though.

Palma was the main celebrant of the fiestas concelebrated mass that was participated by Cebu Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Antonio Raola, Msgr. Ildebrando Leyson, Msgr. Gerardo Jumao-as.

Monsignor Leyson is one of the lead promoters of the cause for Calungsods canonization. The 94-year-old Monsignor Jumao-as along with Fr. Michael Hisoler persuaded Architect Servillano Mapeso and his wife Josephine to donate the one-hectare land where the hilltop church now sits.

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Community builds Calungsod church