The five Basic Ecclesial Communities of Bantayan, Buñao, Pulantubig, Boloc-Boloc, and Agan-an came together in celebration of the Feast of St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus, the Groundbreaking and Blessing of the Site of the New Parish, and the culmination of the three-month mission of the Redemptorist Mission Team and the Cebu Urban Mission Team.

The Eucharistic Celebration was presided over by Most Rev. Julito Cortes, DD, Bishop of Dumaguete, and concelebrated by Msgr. Gamaliel Tulabing, Parish Priest, together with the Dumaguete Clergy, Rev. Fr. Nestor Gaspe, CSsR, and Rev. Fr. John Michael Salantandol, CSsR.

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‎From July 1 to October 1, the Redemptorist Priests and Lay Missionaries accompanied the different communities in their journey of faith, helping the faithful deepen their awareness of their identity and responsibility as members of the new Quasi-Parish of St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus. Through the mission, they were also led to know St. Thérèse more deeply and, inspired by her Little Way, to grow in participation, service, and commitment to the mission of the Church. As part of this journey, community leaders were commissioned to continue serving and accompanying their respective communities.

‎The Dumaguete Mission may have come to an end, but the mission of the new Parish of St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus continues. As the communities move forward together, may they continue to live the spirit of St. Thérèse through the celebration’s theme: “Walking Together in Faith and Mission: Living the Little Way of Love.”

Photos courtesy of RIMT and Dumaguete Media Team

By Minerva Dalde
Lay Missionary, Redemptorist Itinerant Mission Team