Alubijid town parish now consecrated

THE newly renovated parish of the Holy Cross in Alubijid, Misamis Oriental, was consecrated and dedicated on Wednesday, a day before the town’s annual fiesta.

Monsignor Elmer Abacahin, Alubijid town parish priest and president of the Cagayan de Oro Press Club, said the consecration of the church is akin to an ordination for priesthood which has solemn prayers in the liturgy.

Abacahin said the church before the consecration is somewhat “naked,” having no decorations and other paraphernalia.

He said the church was dressed up after the consecration with decorations and paraphernalia that are Liturgical symbols since “it is now holy.”

“The dedication of the church is not only the dedication of the building but a dedication to the whole community. Precisely, the presence of the community is very important,” Abacahin said.

Abacahin said he was assigned as parish priest of Alubijid last June and that they finished the construction of the convent and the renovation of more than half of the church.

He said the renovation of the parish have already taken six months with the help of other people and the community, most especially through their “internal love and generosity.”

“Whether the help was big and small, the chapels have given out their help and assistance,” he said.

Abacahin said around 90 percent of the people in Alubijid town are Roman Catholics who are very active in joining church activities.

“When the parish calls them, they always come,” he said. “I feel joy that I was used as an instrument of God in leading the community and the faithful in responding to the significance of the church in the present. I still ask for more support in order for the project to be completed.”

Cagayan de Oro City Archbishop Antonio Ledesma said the consecration and dedication is a rare event.

“This will be the permanent parish to the people of Alubijid,” Ledesma said.

He said he was amazed by the people’s participation and attendance during the Mass.

“It shows a sign of a strong Christian society here and that the people are working hard to construct the new church,” Ledesma said. (Michael Andrew W. Yu)