FINAL PREPARATIONS IN BOHOL FOR THE CBCP RETREAT AND PLENARY ASSEMBLY

            As part of the final preparations for the Bishop’s Retreat and National Consultation for Synodal Implementation, scheduled for June 30 to July 3 at the Bohol Tropics Resort in Tagbilaran and to be followed by the 130th CBCP Plenary Assembly in Anda, Bohol, Bishops Abet and Patrick requested a face-to-face meeting in Tagbilaran. We arrived in the city in the morning, and since the meeting was scheduled after lunch, I took the opportunity to visit the churches of Maribojoc and Loon. Both churches had been completely destroyed by the 2013 earthquake and were meticulously reconstructed by the National Museum of the Philippines in 2021 to match their original structures.

On the way to Loon, we also stopped at the Punta Cruz Watchtower, located between the towns of Maribojoc and Loon. This historic site is particularly remarkable because, during the 2013 earthquake, the coastline in the area was uplifted by 1.5 meters, exposing what was once an underwater reef and shifting the shoreline about 50 meters seaward.

In the evening, after our meeting, we visited the Sikatuna Mirror of the World and Botanical Garden.

St. Vincent Ferrer Shrine and Holy Cross Parish (F-1767)
Maribojoc, Bohol

It is hard to imagine how, in 2013, this church crumbled to the ground, leaving only the image of the Sacred Heart standing at the front.

Our Lady of Light Parish (F-1753)
Loon, Bohol

Punta Cruz Watchtower
Maribojoc, Bohol

 

According to locals, prior to the earthquake, the sea lay just beneath the watchtower. Today, it has receded approximately 50 meters seaward.

Sikatuna's Mirror of the World and Botanical Garden

Bp. Abet giving his remarks during the final preparatory meeting for the retreat and plenary of the bishops. 

DEDICATION OF THE MOTHER OF PERPETUAL HELP PARISH CHURCH, AGONCILLO, BATANGAS

 

Last June 4, I was invited by Fr. Jay Encarnacion to attend the dedication of his newly constructed parish church and his formal installation as parish priest of Our Mother of Perpetual Help Parish in Agoncillo, Batangas. The original church had been destroyed during the eruption of Taal Volcano in January 2020. I had previously visited the site while the new church was still under construction.

I first met Fr. Jay during the CBCP Plenary Assembly hosted by the Archdiocese of Lipa. When I learned that he had been assigned to Agoncillo, I mentioned that I had already visited his parish. He shared that he was working hard to complete the church’s reconstruction and promised to invite me to the blessing once it was finished.

Almost a year later, I received an invitation—not only for the blessing—but for the solemn dedication of the church and his formal installation as parish priest.

Our Mother of Perpetual Help Parish
Agoncillo, Batangas

The image of the Mother of Perpetual Help is a mosaic made in Italy. 

Archbi Garcera pouring chrism oil on the altar table, which is the main rite for the dedication. The walls of the church were likewise anointed with the chrism oil.  

The incensation of the altar after the anointing. 

The side altar retablo

The main retablo

The other side altar retablo

Fr. Jay making his Profession of Faith and Oath of Fidelity. 

For the old post on the Agoncillo Church click here.