Bishop Gutierrez officiates Canonical Erection of new GenSan Parish

Gen. Santos City’s 2nd most populous barangay (population: 67,000++) Barangay Fatima finally gets its wish, its very own Parish!

The new parish’s makeshift tent during its canonical erection

After years of being under the Holy Cross Parish (administered by the Passionists) of Barangay Calumpang (the city’s most heavily populated), the Bishop of the Diocese of Marbel Most Reverend Dinualdo D. Gutierrez, DD, administered the rites for the Canonical Erection of its own Parish on July 14, 2008.  This was aptly christened as the Parish of Our Lady of Fatima.

Situated in a one-hectare lot donated by the local government of GenSan in NASA Village, Purok 12 in the barangay, the new parish was also given its very own parish priest by the Bishop, namely Rev. Fr. Joseph S. Benitez, 43 years old, a native of Maasim, Sarangani Province.

Our Lady of Fatima Parish Priest Fr. Joseph Benitez reads the Prayers of the Faithful while behind him is mass presider Rev. Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez, DD of the Diocese of Marbel

Fr. Joseph has been given the exciting job of building his church building from scratch.  During his speech before the congregation which included more than 20 priests from all over the Diocese and City Mayor Jun Acharon, he revealed that he can’t do the job all alone by himself.  He needs the help, support and prayers of his new parishioners and other generous-minded people.

The multitudes during the mass, including City Mayor Jun Acharon, in the center

So if you have time, drop by the new parish and give your financial or material support.  It’s not difficult to locate.  Whether coming from the airport or driving from Calumpang, just follow the colorful pasandalans or tribal flags at the road sides leading to the site.

Fr. Joseph Benitez, will be more than happy to see you.

Our Lady of Fatima Parish now joins the roster of other Gensan parishes, namely Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage in downtown Dadiangas, Sts. Peter and Paul Parish in Barangay Lagao, St. Michael Parish in Barangay San Isidro, Sto. Niño Parish in Barangay Bula and the parish from where it was weaned, the Holy Cross Parish in Barangay Calumpang.