A Joyous Welcome: SFAP Ma-a Welcomes New Priests

St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Ma-a held a welcoming party for the new priests who arrived on, June 1, 2025. The new pastors are our parish priest Fr. Russell Bantiles, Parochial vicar Fr. Julius Lugay, and resident priest Fr. Jose Marie “Otek” Escuadro.

Many visitors, including parishioners and church leaders, have come to be part of the occasion. Special guests who attended included former parish priest, Msgr. Paul Cuison, and former parish vicar, Fr. Ranebe Magallanes.

The program began past five in the evening at the stage located near the parish convent. The event was hosted by the Youth Apostolate of St. Francis of Assisi Parish (YASFAP) Core Member Gwyneth Murillo.

The celebration began with an opening prayer entitled “Stay With Me, Lord”, a song based on a prayer by St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina. The host then gave a short acknowledgment, followed by an opening salvo led by the YASFAP Core Group.

Jez Ferraris, head of the Parish Pastoral Council, gave his opening remarks, acknowledging that Fr. Russel was a member of the local community before entering the priesthood, and was ordained at the parish he’s newly assigned to. The occasion was seen as a “full circle moment” and a homecoming for the Ma-a local.

Following the heartwarming remarks, the dinner begins and the prayer before meals was presided over by the Pangulo sa Liturhiya (PSL) coordinator, Erwin Sanguenza.

After a filling meal, the celebration continues with the sharing, where the different sectors of the parish, represented by their respective coordinators, do an introduction of their individual function, their ongoing projects, and their needs from the new regime.

To close the program each of the newly assigned priest gave their message to those in attendance.

Fr. “Otek”, with his close connection with the Davao Prison Ministry (DAPMin), invites everyone to serve in the prisons at the Davao City Jail. Despite his extensive commitment to the DAPMin, he promised to still commit to the church.

Fr. Julius reminisces about his time in the parish prior to being ordained to the priesthood. With his new duties as parochial vicar, he expressed excitement about working with the parish again.

Fr. Russel conveyed his feelings of excitement and shock at his assignment as parish priest of St. Francis of Assisi Parish. Citing a verse from the gospel according to Mark: “Then Jesus said to them, ‘Only in his hometown, among his relatives, and in his own household is a prophet without honor.'” (Mark 6:4)

Though he had doubts, God had surprised him with the opportunity to serve as parish priest. With Pope Leo XIV becoming the first American Pope and other blessings happening this year, Fr. Russell wholeheartedly believes that this year is the “Year of Surprises”. He promised that he’ll give his best to serve the parish with the guidance God.

The program concluded with Fr. Russell giving his final blessing, followed by the closing prayer. (Alessandro Rikardo V. Millabe | St. Francis of Assisi Parish – Ma-a SocCom)