St. John Bosco Parish and Shrine celebrates its 28th Parochial Fiesta
For pastoral reasons, the Salesian community and Parish Pastoral Council chose to celebrate the fiesta of the Diocesan Shrine of St. John Bosco in Mambucal, Murcia on a Sunday, January 26, 2020. This is so that most of the parishioners can celebrate the fiesta. Nine Novena days highlight the celebration vis-a-vis with the daily and nightly presentations from the Salesian Family, lay mission partners, parishioners and youth. Eight Salesian priests and one invited Marian priest took turns in celebrating the Novena masses.
The Opening Salvo on January 17 was kicked off with the motorcade and the parade of muses from the parish’s kindergarten boys and girls. There was a symbolic lighting of torch and candles followed by a short fireworks display after the mass celebrated by the parish priest, Fr. Medelino “Bong” Borgueta, SDB.
The following day, Bongga Ka Nay sponsored by young people was held after the novena mass celebrated by Fr. Jimmy Carmona, SDB. It was a blast showcasing 7 mothers from different BEC chapels of our parish who competed with their production number, talent show, gown, question and answer portion.
On Sunday, January 19, Fr. Bong celebrated the 9:00 am mass which also launched the Association of Mary Help of Christians (ADMA). It also involved the turn-over of 10 statues of our Blessed Mother donated by Mr. Nolan Angeles, an alumnus of Don Bosco Mandaluyong and devotee to Our Lady. Ten BEC chapels were chosen to be the beneficiaries of Mary Help statues. With the devotional materials, the parish hopes to establish the ADMA. The statues were enthroned in the Sto. Nino and San Juan Baustista Chapels.
Although the rains were heavy, the parishioners showed their devotion by pushing through with the enthronement. The image of the Blessed Mother was greeted by the local community from a the footbridge at the foot of the mountain. The people prayed the rosary in procession towards the chapel bringing the statue of Our Lady. No rain nor mud dampened their devotion.
The parish officers and the people shared a sumptuous lunch with Mr. Nolan Angeles. He shared the reasons for his generous presence and for donating the 10 MHC statues. Later, Fr. Eugene Maria Suelan, Jr., MMCH celebrated the 5:00 pm Novena mass in the afternoon.
On January 21, it was the turn of the lay faithful barangays San Miguel and Minoyan to showcase their talents with their different presentations during the Barangay Night. The cultural program entitled Fun3 after the Novena mass celebrated by Fr. Rosmon Valenciano, SDB.
On January 22, Feast day of Blessed Laura Vicuna, a mass wedding was celebrated by Fr. Jimmyat 9:00 am. Three couples were able to avail the solemn mass wedding of the day. Later Fr. Cyril Cardinal, SDB celebrated the novena mass.
The day after, a Group Dance Contest during the Youth Night was the highlight of the day after the Novena mass celebrated by Fr. Rooney John Undar, SDB. Many young people came in attendance.
On Friday, January 24, Solemnity of St. Francis of Sales, teachers and students of four Elementary schools and one National High School danced showcased their talents during the Teacher’s Day. Parishioners especially the young people were looking forward for this event. Fr. Anastacio Oroc, SDB celebrated the Novena mass.
On January 25, a BEC and Lumad gathering was the highlight of the BEC Day. Parishioners from different chapels gathered for this event. The parish is thankful for the presence of the lumad or natives during the event. Fr. Andy Satura, SDB celebrated the final Novena mass at 3:00 pm. It was followed by a solemn procession of the image of our father and founder St. John Bosco. Leaders of some BEC chapels brought their statues and ‘stampas’ of different patron saints to join the said procession.
On the day of the parish fiesta, January 26, a “Diana” accompanied by drumbeats greeted the parishioners at 4 o’clock in the morning for the fiesta. At 8:00 am, Fr. Bong baptized seven babies. Fr. Andy celebrated the parish fiesta mass with Fr. Bong at 9:00 am. Sumptuous lunch followed at the parish gym sponsored by the Hermano and Hermana 2020: Architect Eucan and Mrs. Gladys Estrellanes.
Coronation of Prince and Princesses of the 28th Parochial Fiesta was the final event of the day at the parish gym. Raffle tickets were drawn. Three big winners won a sack of rice, an electric fan and a rice cooker with consolation prizes for twenty people.
Through these celebrations, the parish hopes to promote devotion to its patron, St. John Bosco in the hinterlands of Mambucal. Viva Don Bosco!
