Hearts On Fire

PILGRIMAGE 2010, IMMACULATE CONCEPTION PARISH

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION PARISH

DANA-ILI

The Immaculate Conception Parish is located in the town of Abulug, Cagayan and comprises 14 barrios, all situated west of the Abulug River.  Thus these barangays are called “riverside barrios” to distinguish them from those located at the eastern bank.  Geographically therefore the town of Abulug is well divided into two parts by the mighty Abulug river.

Since the entry of Christianity to Abulug, there was one central parish, and this includes all the barrios of the town.  Such was the existing set up when the first SVD Missionaries came and took over, around the year 1935.  Juridically, there was one parish and the priest had to go around to attend the spiritual welfare of his people.  He had to pass through rivers, forests and muddy roads to reach the barrios.  The people too, hospitable and generous as they were, had to prepare something for the priests’ accommodations in gratitude for his services.

Some years before the war, Fr. Delfin Taguinod, SVD and Fr. Herman Willems, SVD took turns to reach out their people in their places.  Such was the missionary spirit they had, full of sacrifice and patience.

Then the war broke out.  But. Fr. Willems, SVD did not cease on brining Christ to the people.  He said Mass secretly around the town, in houses, granaries, and even rice mills, at any time people were ready for it.  Again, Fr. Willems exhibited his missionary zeal to serve all men even in times of danger.

After the war, Fr. Galvan, SVD, took over.  He came to Dana-ili and said Mass at the Dana-ili Elementary School.  Fr. Santiago Fenk, SVD came also to assist him.  Fr. Fenk had inspired the people’s piety.  Thus, through his inspiration, the people built a church of their own.  Unfortunately, this was destroyed by a strong typhoon before its completion.  During this time, however, Fr. Fenk initiated the Catholic Womens League to become the volunteer catechists and lay leaders afterwards.

The missionaries continued saying Mass in the classrooms of the elementary school and even in its grounds.

Time came when these missionaries Fr. Fenk, Fr. Carlos Puetz, and Fr. Hans Kreig of the Society of the Divine Word, felt the spiritual thirst of the people along the western side of the Abulug river and thought of making Dana-ili as the seat of a new parish:  The Immaculate Conception Parish.  They had to present this proposal to the higher Church authorities.  After exerting much efforts, the dream was fulfilled.  Thus, Fr. Hans Krieg, SVD became the first Parish Priest in the year 1967.  Fr. Kreig knowing the need for a church, initiated  the construction of a concrete one now standing prominently.  When it was almost finished, a parochial school was built beside ti, to uplift the quality of education in the parish.

The first barrios to belong to the parish were Sirit, Calacungan, Simayung, and Canayun.  Since Fr. Kreig had to attend to both school’s and parish’s activities , he had to divide his time.  He asked volunteer catechists and lay leaders to go ahead to the barrios to prepare the people for Holy Mass.  There were 99% Catholics that time, but they were not regular churchgoers.  Bible Services were done in the dialect by volunteer catechists and lay leaders and people would flock and listen to them.

Fr. Kreig, aware of the people’s spiritual needs, sent students to St. Benedict Formation Center in Vigan, to be formally trained as Catechists.  Thus, Fr. Kreig prepared all of these to being Christ closer to the people.

In 1972, Fr. Kreig left for his homeland and Fr. Ambrosio Ponce, SVD became the second parish priest of Immaculate Conception Parish and second director of Divine Word High School.  He added two barrios, Curva and Fugu to the parish.  He iuntroduced the Sta. Cruzan celebration to add to people’s devotion for the Blessed Mother.  He also, started giving the formal reception of the First Holy Communion to children.  After serving the parish for a year, he left the place for good.  Fr. Winston Cabahug, SVD came next as parish priest and director of the school.  He used to gather the youth for sports development.  After two years of serving Dana-ili, he left the parish for Abulug.  Fr. Batoon who was then assistant parish priest of Pamplona was sent to Dana-ili to take place of Fr. Cabahug.  He worked for the formation of the Knights of Columbus and the Children of Mary.  He continued what the previous missionaries had started.  He introduced a new way of celebrating the feast of the Immaculate Conception namely, that a program was incorporated in the Holy Mass.  People were surprised to see children and adults dancing inside the church.  They did not know that those were liturgical dances.  He also, introduced the beautiful celebration of Easter Sunday, where there were little children garbed like angels, singing the alleluia in an elevated place.  The Block rosary was also introduced in a different manner.  Through it, people felt this time that they were part and parcel of the community.  He also worked for the improvement of the church and school grounds.  Sta. Cruzan was also  unique celebration.  During the time of Father Ponce and Cabahug, a popularity contest was held as a means of gaining the title of Maria Elena.  This time, it was by lottery.  On Sundays, thee were processions of the different candidates, to let the people be aware that the real celebration was approaching.  During his last year in Dana-ili (1977-1978), he took tow seminarians, Frt. Edgar Matias and Frt. Raymund Soriano (now Fr. Soriano, SVD) who came at different semesters to help him in athe parish and school activities.  These two played a very important role in the life of the school and the parish.  Fr. Bob left Dana-ili for Ballesteros.  But from Ballesteros came Fr. Tito Belisario.  Fr. Tito initiated the first Knights of the Altar, an organization of young boys different from that of the adults, the Knights of Columbus.  Together with the regents, he continued the many celebrations which people now call and consider traditional celebrations.   With Frt. Emil Pati, who came next to Frt. Gallo, he organized the Legion of Mary.  Fr. Tito’s time was also marked with the Archdiocesan campaign for peace in the province, through the visitation of our Lady of Piat into all the parishes of the Archdiocese.

Because of some inevitable circumstances, Fr. Tito had to leave the place.  In the meantime, Fr. Mac Apuya, SVD parish priest of Pamplona and Fr. Vic Tiam, SVD, Fr. Mac’s assistant, had to take turns saying the mass for the people on Sundays.  Until finally, Fr. Manolito Baroña, SVD came to stay for a month, Fr. Carlos Rafanan replaced him, but he did not stay long.

Finally on June 1982, Fr. Vicente Tiam, SVD was appointed parish priest of Dana-ili.  He is at present engaged in the continuance of the apostolate begun by his predecessors, both on parochial and school levels.

This is the story of the parish, a very young Church.  Much is still to be done; there are lots of challenges, but we trust in the goodness of God who will not cease blessing our work.  We trust in the motherly guidance of Mary the patroness of our parish:  The Immaculate Conception.

PILGRIMAGE 2010, DANA-ILI

1. DIVINE WORD HIGH SCHOOL

The Divine Word High School in Dana-ili, Abulug is a testament of SVD missionary zeal and love for the Word of God. Its humble beginnings trace back before the Second World War when SVD missionaries celebrated masses in chapel near the riverbank in Barangay Dana-ili, Abulug, Cagayan.  But typhoon destroyed and eroded the chapel.  Several chapels built by succeeding SVDs suffered the same fate but these did not deter them from celebrating masses. Later, Dana-ili was recognized as an independent parish.

In 1966 to 1967, a secondary school was opened and classes were held at the dilapidated church while the construction of the school building began.  Students from neighboring barangays were encouraged to enroll, as well as adults and couples. Four years after, two sections of fourth year students graduated at the quadrangle of the main building.  This became a symbol of success to the founder. Hence, the succeeding years saw the administration and leadership of various SVD priests which also paved way for the growth of the school, economically and spiritually.