Bishop Afable Meets Malita-Born Missionary Priest During Visit to Cook Islands

During a recent mission trip to the Cook Islands, Most Rev. Guillermo Afable, D.D., Bishop of the Diocese of Digos, shared a special reunion far from home, a meeting with Rev. Fr. Alvin Parantar, MSP, a missionary priest who comes from Malita, Davao Occidental. Their encounter thousands of miles away brought a powerful truth into focus—faith and dedicated service know no geographic boundaries.

Fr. Alvin’s journey from Malita, part of the Diocese of Digos, took him across the ocean to the Cook Islands, where he has faithfully served the local community for the past decade.

His ten years of dedicated ministry show that distance is no barrier to love and faith. Fr. Alvin’s story serves as an inspiring reminder that when God calls, a willing heart will cross oceans to bring hope to those who need it most.