SAN VICENTE FERRER PARISH – TUMAHUBONG – 1969

San Vicente Ferrer Parish: “it was founded in 1969 with Rev. Fr. John Fessler, an American Claretian Missionary as the first parish priest. Though it was established in 1969, it was only consecrated o 14 October 2007 after the present church was built in June 2007.” “The parish is working to establish the conditions required for a dialogue between Christians and Muslims where people live in peace and harmony, in an atmosphere of justice and charity; loving and respecting one another and moving towards building God’s kingdom.”

The place may be insignificant to others but in the Congregation, particularly to the Philippine Province, Tumahubong is tantamount to Fr. Rhoel Gallardo, CMF, the Claretian Martyr of the Philippines, and home to many others, related or not related to the Claretians, who also shed their blood for their faith and their principles. It is the promised land, the testing ground of arduous hearts for the mission, the love of those who see Jesus amidst religious and political conflicts. In the Forge term, it is the hammer that pounds the iron to reach its desired form.