Friday, August 1, 2008

Pope John Paul II Creates Apostolic Vicariate of Taytay

Pope John Paul II has erected a new Apostolic Vicariate in the Province of Palawan and appointed its first Apostolic Administrator.

The announcements were made in the Vatican at noon of May 13 by the Holy Father, and simultaneously in Manila by Msgr. Robinson Wijesinghe, charge d'affaires of the Apostolic Nunciature.

The newly-created Apostolic Vicariate of Taytay has been separated from the Apostolic Vicariate of Palawan. The new ecclesiastical jurisdicion extends over an estimated land area of 769,110 hectares and covers the towns of Roxas, San Vicente, Busuanga, Agutaya, Magsaysay, and Dumaran. It has a population of 310,383, of whom 265,000 (85 percent) are Catholics, living in 16 parishes.

Msgr. Edgardo S. Juanich, who is presently the administrator of the Mainland Palawan Northernmost Mission in Sibaltan, El Nido, Palawan and director of the Commission on Clergy of the northern district parishes, has been named as its first Aposotolic Administrator and assigned the Titular See of Ausuaga.

The remaining territory of the Apostolic Vicariate of Palawan, with an estimated land area of 894,502 hectares, extends over the central and southern districts of Palawan province, remains under the pastoral governance of Bishop Pedro D. Arigo. It has 21 parishes, with a population of 443,208, 376,726 (86 percent) of whom are Catholics.

Bishop-elect Juanich was born on April 29, 1952 in Poblacion, Taytay, Palawan. He entered the Seminario de San Jose-Minor in Puerto Princesa City after his elementary graduation, and proceeded with his college, philosophy and theology studies at the St. Vincent Ferrer Major Seminary in Jaro, Iloilo City.

He was ordained to the priesthood on July 11, 1976 at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Puerto Princesa City by the late Bishop Gregorio I. Espiga, O.A.R.

His early ministry in the Apostolic Vicariate of Palawan included having served as pastor or parochial vicar of the parishes of Nuestra SeƱora de Salvacion, Busuanga; St. Jospeh, Narra; St. Joseph, Brooke's Point, St. Francis of Assisi, El Nido. While pursuing masteral studies in Oriental Philosophy at the University of Santo Tomas Graduate School from 1989 to 1992, he served as a guest priest in the Archdiocese of Manila, ministering in the parishes of San Roque in Sampaloc and St. Pius X in Paco and resident chaplain of the Hospitaller Brothers of St. John of the Cross in Manila.

He was spiritual director of the Seminario de San Jose in Puerto Princesa City from 1992-1994, parish priest of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral and episcopal vicar of the central district parishes of Palawan (1994-1999) and pastor of the St. Francis of St. Francis of Assisi parish in El Nido (1999-2000).

Catechetics: Flow of Elementary School Catechetical Content

Director: Rev. Fr. Robert Co Amurao
Members: Rev. Fr. Rolando S. Salvana
Sr. Percy U. Jagmis, MSLT
Sr. Ruby B. Magno, MSLT

Grade 1 Basic Church Prayers, Songs and Selected Stories of Jesus
In the New Testament
So that the children may actively participate in Masses
And slowly get to know Jesus

Grade 2 Jesus in the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary:
Joy, Light, Sorrow and Glory
So that the children will have a comprehensive view of the life of Jesus
And, at the same time, teach them how to pray the Rosary

Grade 3 Jesus, Church and Sacraments
So that the children will have a comprehensive view of the sacraments
In the Church even as they prepare themselves for their
First Confession and First Communion

Grade 4 Jesus and Scriptures (Old Testament and New Testament)
so that the children will have a comprehensive view of the
history of salvation

Grade 5 Jesus, Church and Apologetical Concerns
So that the children will have a comprehensive knowledge of the questions
Often asked about the Church, church practices and church traditions

Grade 6 Jesus, Mary, the Saints and the Spirit of Mission
So that the children will have a comprehensive knowledge
of the lives of Mary and the Saints which, hopefully, will inspire them
to share the Faith with others through example and mission

Framework
Revelation God reveals himself to me as a loving and saving God,
In word and in deed,
In Scriptures and Tradition.
Faith I respond to this revelation through Faith.
Church I receive this Faith in the Church and
I develop and nurture this Faith in the Church
Liturgy I express this Faith through the Liturgy, Prayer,
celebration of the Sacraments
Mission I share this Faith to others through example and Mission,
After the example of Jesus, Mary and the Saints

Parishes in the Apostolic Vicariate of Taytay

The Apostolic Vicariate of Taytay has twenty (20) parishes.

District 1

Parish of St. Isidore the Farmer
Founded 1949
Roxas, Palawan 5308

Parish of San Lorenzo Ruiz
Founded
Caramay, Roxas

Parish of the Resurrection
Founded
Tumarbong, Roxas

Parish of St. Vincent Ferrer
Founded 1980
San Vicente, Palawan 5309



District 2

Parish of Sta. Monica
Founded 1622
Taytay, Palawan 5312

Parish of St. Michael the Archangel
Founded 1968
Liminangcong, Taytay, Palawan 5312

Parish of Sto. Nino
Founded 1994
Abongan, Taytay, Palawan 5312

Parish of St. Francis of Assisi
Founded 1901
El Nido, Palawan 5313

Parish of Sta. Potenciana
Founded
Sibaltan, El Nido

District 3

Parish of St. Therese of the Child Jesus
Founded 1991
Dumaran, Palawan 5310

Parish of St. John the Baptist
Founded
Legit, Dumaran

Parish of Nuestra Senora de Araceli
Founded 1902
Araceli, Palawan 5311

District 4

Parish of St. Augustine
Founded 1622
Cuyo, Palawan 5318

Parish of St. Michael the Archangel
Founded
Magsaysay, Palawan

Parish of St. John the Baptist
Founded 1714
Agutaya, Palawan


District 5

Parish of St. Michael the Archangel
Founded 1971
Linapacan, Palawan 5314

Parish of the Immaculate Conception
Founded 1906
Culion, Palawan 5315

Parish of St. Augustine
Founded 1901
Coron, Palawan 5316

Parish of St. Joseph de Freinademitz
Founded
Turda, Coron

Parish of Nuestra Senora de Salvacion
Founded 1986
Salvacion, Busuanga, Palawan 5317

District and Parishes in the Apostolic Vicariate of Taytay

For pastoral reasons, the Apostolic Vicariate of Taytay is divided into five (5) districts and under each district are corresponding parishes.

District 1
Parish of St. Isidore, Roxas
Parish of San Lorenzo Ruiz, Caramay, Roxas
Parish of St. Vincent Ferrer, San Vicente
Parish of the Resurrection, Tumarbong, Roxas

District 2
Parish of Sta. Monica, Taytay
Parish of Sto. Nino, Abongan, Taytay
Parish of St. Michael the Archangel, Liminangcong, Taytay
Parish of St. Francis of Assisi, El Nido
Parish of Sta. Potenciana, Sibaltan, El Nido

District 3
Parish of Sta. Teresita del Nino Jesus, Legit, Dumaran
Parish of St. John the Baptist, Dumaran, Dumaran
Parish of Nuestra Senora de Araceli, Araceli

District 4
Parish of St. Augustine, Cuyo
Parish of St. Michael the Archangel, Magsaysay
Parish of St. John the Baptist, Agutaya

District 5
Parish of St. Augustine, Coron
Parish of Nuestra Senora de Salvacion, Salvacion, Busuanga
Parish of St. Michael the Archangel, Linapacan
Parish of the Immaculate Conception, Culion
Parish of St. Joseph de Freinademitz, Turda, Coron

Ministries in the Apostolic Vicariate of Taytay

The Apostolic Vicariate of Taytay has 5 Commissions and under each commission are corresponding ministries:
EDUCATION
WORSHIP
EVANGELIZATION
EDUCATION
TEMPORALITIES

Commission on Education
MISA-JPD
Ministry on Indigenous Peoples
Ministry of Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC)

Commission on Worship
Ministry on Worship and Liturgy
Ministry on Music and Arts

Commission on Evangelization
Ministry on Youth
Ministry on Mission and Pontifical Mission Society
Ministry on Mass Media
Ministry on Bible
Ministry on Family and Life

Commission on Education
Ministry on Clergy Formation
Ministry on Catechetics
Ministry on Catholic Education
Ministry on Seminary Formation
Ministry on Vocation

Commission on Temporalities
Ministry on Site Development and Church Construction
Ministry on Cultural Heritage
Ministry on Church Properties and Cemeteries

The Apostolic Vicariate of Taytay

Three of its parishes are over 300 years old: the Parish of Sta. Monica (Taytay) having been founded in 1622, the Parish of St. Augustine (Cuyo) also in 1622, and the Parish of San Juan Bautista in 1692. Four parishes are over 100 years old: the Parish of St. Augustine (Coron) having been founded in 1901, the Parish of St. Francis of Assisi (El Nid) also in 1901, the Parish of Nuestra Senora de Araceli (Araceli) in 1902 and the Parish of the Immaculate Conception of Mary in 1906. Yet, the Apostolic Vicariate of Taytay is only a little over five (5) years old, having been established on May 26, 2002 from what was then the Apostolic Vicariate of Palawan.

Three of its parishes have beautiful centuries-old stone forts: the Parish of Sta. Monica (Taytay), the Parish of St. Augustine (Cuyo) and the Parish of San Juan Bautista (Agutaya). Three other parishes have remnants of what were then mighty forts: the Parish of St. Michael the Archangel (Linapacan), the Parish of the Immaculate Conception of Mary (Culion), and the Parish of St. John the Baptist (Dumaran). Yet, the Apostolic Vicariate of Taytay is still gathering stones to build its own Cathedral in Taytay. At present, in the words of its Vicar Apostolic, the Most Reverend Edgardo S. Juanich, D.D., Taytay has the biggest cathedral in the world with the stars as its roof at night and the clouds as its shade during the day.

The territory is known for its world class resorts, foremost of which are the Amanpulo (Agutaya), Club Noah Isabelle (Taytay), Club Paradise (Coron) and Miniloc Island Resort (El Nido). It is also the source of the much sought-after but expensive bird’s nest of the balinsasayaw which is supposedly extremely good for one’s health (a kilo sells for around P150,000) and of live fish or buhay-buhay, in particular, of the red lapulapu fish a good size of which sells for P1500 a kilo. Yet, the communities in the Apostolic Vicariate of Taytay are among the most poor in Palawan. Except for the towns of Roxas and Coron, the rest of Northern Palawan do not enjoy a 24-hour supply of electricity nor a good water system that provides water in respective households. Except for Culion which has a general hospital, there are no good hospitals in the area. The local government units, though, have money to spent for the improvement of their airport facilities meant to lure more tourists.

This is the Apostolic Vicariate of Taytay.

The vicariate has twenty (20) parishes, ten (10) of which are found in Northern Mainland Palawan and another ten (10) are situated in the islands, in particular, in the Calamianes Group of Islands and the Cuyo Group of Islands. Travel from one parish to another, even in the mainland, is too weather-dependent because a day’s rain often transforms the roads into soft cakes of clay and makes some stretches in the national highway impassable. Travel from one island parish to another is just as difficult and dangerous because the Amihan and the Habagat winds spawn big waves that can sink small pumpboats and can unnerve bangkeros of lesser mettle.

Its Principal Patron is St. Joseph the Worker (May 1). The vicariate, moreover, venerates the Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, St. John of God, and St. Benedict Menni as its Secondary Patrons.

The Most Reverend Edgardo S. Juanich is Taytay’s first Vicar Apostolic and the first Palawano Priest, Taytay’s very own, to be raised to the ranks of the episcopacy. He was appointed as Vicar Apostolic by the late Pope John Paul II on May 13, 2002, ordained Bishop by His Excellency Antonio Franco, former Papal Nuncio to the Philippines, on July 11, 2002 and installed as the first Vicar Apostolic of Taytay on July 12, 2002.

Working hand-in-hand with the Bishop and the Diocesan Clergy in pursuing the aims of the vicariate are the Fathers of the Society of Jesus (Parish Work and Educational Apostolate in Culion) and the Mill Hill Fathers (Parish Work in Turda, Coron) as well as the Mensa Domini Sisters of the Lord’s Table (Catechetical and BEC Work in Taytay), the St. Paul of Chartres Sisters (Catechetical and Hospital Work in Culion), the Augustinian Recollect Sisters (Educational Apostolate in Liminangcong, Taytay) and the Daughters of Charity Sisters (Parish Work and Educational Apostolate in Coron).

In its First Vicarial Pastoral Consultation and Planning held at the Parish of St. Isidore the Farmer (Roxas) on October 7-11, 2002, the delegates articulated the Vision of the Apostolic Vicariate of Taytay with these words: Led by the Spirit in discerning the signs of the times, We, envision the local church of the Apostolic Vicariate of Taytay, Palawan as a community of Christ’s disciples, with Mary as our model, journeying together in proclaiming the Father’s reign.

At present, the priests of the Apostolic Vicariate of Taytay run and man the Seminario de San Jose in Puerto Princesa City, with the Very Reverend Monsignor Jose D. Delfin, Ph.D. as Rector and Principal. Seminario de San Jose is a high school and college seminary program of both the Apostolic Vicariates of Puerto Princesa and Taytay.

In the whole vicariate, the promotion and development of Basic Ecclesial Communities has been relentlessly pursued. Its Ministry on Worship and Liturgy has been conducting updating seminars and workshops for the Special Ministers of the Eucharist as well as for the parishes’ Lectors and Commentators. Its Ministry on Mass Media and Communications has ventured into radio broadcasting with its regular Sunday radio broadcast on the air for over a year.

The vicariate’s Ministry on Clergy Formation has already sent most of its Senior Clergy to the Integrated Renewal Program organized by the Archdiocese of Manila in San Carlos Seminary. Its Ministry on Catechetics has finished its drafts on two (2) catechisms and intends to publish them this 2008: Checkbook to Heaven (A Basic Catechism for Elementary School Pupils) and I, Sick (A Catechism for the Sick). Its Ministry on Youth has been conducting Youth Camps with the hope of making the Youth more participative and active in church activities and of promoting vocations to the priesthood and the religious life.

On his own, the Vicar Apostolic has been visiting communities of Indigenous People in Northern Palawan.

One of the many landmark projects the vicariate has achieved in its five-year history is the 2006 Memorandum of Agreement it has forged with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources regarding Forest Protection and Development Program covering an area of 1077 hectares. Seizing this opportunity of “adopting a mountain,” the vicariate has developed a demonstration farm in Sitio Quilala for vermicompost, herbal garden, vegetable garden, a fishpond, among other things. It has also initiated tree planting programs at Sitio Quilala for its diocesan priests and other sectors in Northern Palawan even as it has pursued the spiritual and pastoral care of the settlers in the mountain entrusted to the vicariate. Very recently, a Mass Wedding for some of these settlers has been successfully concluded. Three monks with roots from the Trappist Monastery in Guimaras, Iloilo, live as hermits in three separate stations in the mountain.

Indeed, given its short history -- with the first five (5) years spent in strengthening old parishes. establishing new mission territories/parishes, as well as in making the different ministries become more responsive to the spiritual and pastoral needs of the Faithful -- the Apostolic Vicariate of Taytay now looks forward to erecting the first pillars of its cathedral. Given another five (5) years, through God’s grace and the generosity of friends – that is, stone after stone after stone, peso after peso after peso, prayer after prayer after prayer – the vicariate hopes that the spires of the St. Joseph the Worker Cathedral shall be ready to reach out to the heavens.