Synodality is a way of being a Church: Bishop Uy joins SHJP Archdiocesan Jubilee Celebration

Joining with parishes across the Archdiocese of Davao, the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, Obrero (SHJP-Obrero) observed its parochial-level celebration of the Archdiocesan Diamond Jubilee with a Holy Mass presided by the Most Rev. Alberto S. Uy, D.D., Bishop of Tagbilaran and the awarding of exemplary parish servants on November 28.

Bishop Uy arrived in Davao to participate in the Jubilee Triduum festivities and joined the parishioners of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish (SHJP) in Obrero for a heartfelt thanksgiving celebration, honoring the parish’s significant contribution to the 75-year history of the local Church of Davao.

In his homily, the Bishop highlighted the meaning of these celebrations saying “To walk together, to listen deeply to one another, and to discern the path that God is calling us to as a Church.”

He underlined the theme of the Diamond Jubilee in which he calls for unity and communion with one another, especially in the parishes and Gagmay’ng Kristohanong Katilingban (GKK) communities in our shared journey.

“Synodality is a way of being a Church. It calls us to cultivate a spirit of openness, dialogue, accompaniment. Mag-uban gyud, wala gyu’y magpasagad. Walay mag-una, wala puy mabiyaan unta.” the Bishop expressed.

At the latter end of the Mass, the Bishop together with SHJP Parish Priest Fr. Emmanuel Gonzaga awarded certificates of recognition to servant-leaders of the parish who have positively contributed to the life of the Church.

In an interview after the Mass, the Bishop had a message for the continued vision of the Church in the journey to sustain the mission of synodality, especially for the youth.

“Hinaut nga ang atong mga Katolikong kabatan-onan ug ang tanang magtotoo magpuyo sa usa ka synodal nga kinabuhi diha sa Simbahan. Ang pagpuyo sa kinabuhi dili kanya-kanya, kon dili uban-uban.”

The parochial-level celebrations marked the beginning of the Diamond Jubilee Triduum in the Archdiocese of Davao. This culminated on November 30 with a Holy Mass presided over by the Papal Nuncio to the Philippines, Archbishop Charles Brown, bringing the year-long Jubilee observance to a solemn close. (Francis Rey Panerio)