The Provincial Custody of the Immaculate Conception and Bl. Bonaventure of Potenza in the Philippines has extended its presence into the northern part of the country.
The Custody will be serving the local Church in this area for the first time. The friars are assigned to provide pastoral and spiritual care at the St. John the Baptist Parish Church in San Juan, a town located 426 kilometers (265 miles) north of Metropolitan Manila. The parish belongs to the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia in the Ilocos Sur region, which is found in the upper northwestern part of the Philippine archipelago. On June 24, 2021, the Solemnity of St. John the Baptist, Friar Nicholas Dhelle SOLIS was formally installed as the new pastor. The installation rite was performed by Monsignor Cosmenio ROSIMO Jr., the delegate of the archbishop. Among those in attendance were the Provincial Custos, Friar Francis MATEO and three religious lay brothers. Some priests of the archdiocese and parishioners were present as well.
The installation also coincided with the 126th anniversary of the parish. The parish has twenty-eight chapels under its jurisdiction.
To date, the Order is serving at three parishes within the National Capital Region, where almost all of the friaries of the Custody are located. One of the three parishes will be celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.
Friar Emmanuel GIVA
Photos: Friar Uriel SANTOS
