Maayong Piniyalan, Kabahin sa Simbahan: 39th Fiesta Anniversary of GKK Santo Domingo

August 8, 2025, GKK Sto. Domingo 1, St. Joseph The Worker Parish, Sasa, Davao City – The GKK of Sto. Domingo 1 under St. Joseph The Worker Parish, celebrated the 39th Feast Anniversary of their Patron Saint on August 8, 2025, with a Theme “STO. DOMINGO GIYA SA PAGKA MAAYONG PINIYALAN SA PAGPUYO SA KUMONYON, PARTISIPASYON UG MISYON ISIP KABAHIN SA SIMBAHAN”

In honor of Sr. Sto. Domingo, the GKK of Sto. Domingo 1 celebrated its 39th Fiesta Anniversary with a Holy Mass at 6:00 am, presided by Rev. Fr. Roy Mejias, New Parish Priest of St. Joseph Parish (Patron of Workers).

In his homily, Father Roy said that in the Gospel, the Lord explained how to become His disciples, and He said, whoever wants to be my disciple must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. Fr. Roy explained why one should deny oneself, it is because there is a purpose and goal, and that is a higher value in life, something greater in view, the banquet to the Kingdom of Heaven. Just like Saint Dominic, he denied himself in his worldly work and saw the preaching of the Good News and founded the Dominican Order (Order of Preachers). The most credible way to preach is through our lives, to show others that we are living according to God’s will.

Furthermore, Fr. Roy said that carrying the Cross means sacrificing for others, such as sharing. Sacrificing is part and parcel of our Christian faith because that is what our Lord has shown us, and it is because of our love for people.

GKK Sto. Domingo 1 was established when the residents of the subdivision agreed to create a religious group, purposely to build a Christian faith in the community. Sto. Domingo Catholic Association was established in the year 1986 during the time of Rev. Fr. Hermie Ceniza, the first Filipino Parish Priest of St. Joseph Parish (Patron of Workers).

Fr. Ceniza suggested that it would be appropriate to continue the Patron Saint, Sto. Domingo, as it is the name of the Subdivision, hence GKK Sto. Domingo 1, instead of the Catholic Association.

Before the Fiesta, Seminar Workshop was conducted on July 19, 2025 held at St. Joseph Parish which dealt on how and what to do to make fiesta celebration in a religious way.

Part of the GKK Fiesta Plans is to conduct Sinodo to family members of the 7 “Pundok Banay” belonging to GKK Sto. Domingo 1, which was held simultaneously on July 21, 23, and 25, 2025.

In the Sinodo, each family member shared how they are connecting their Time, Treasures, and Talent to the 7 areas of God’s Gift to become a good steward, and what they want and need to push or focus on sharing the future gift.

After the Sinudo, Kulokabildo was conducted on July 29, 2025 at the Chapel of GKK Sto. Domingo 1, wherein the Results of Sinudo conducted to 7 Pundok Banays was reported by Mr. Anthony Vincent Ongao, Pangulo sa Batan-on (PSB). The GKK Financial Statement for the Period July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025 was reported by the GKK Treasurer, Ms. Yolanda Mellorin.

The 9-day Novena started on July 30, 2024, to August 7, 2024, of which the seven (7) Areas of God’s Gifts were anchored in every Novena such as:

• 1st day Novena, Celebration of Faith – The Life of Sto. Domingo and History of GKK Sto. Domingo 1 by PSP Anita Sulatar;
• 2nd day Novena, Celebration of Faith – St. Joseph for Life by Confraternity Area Coordinator of Zone 2, Bro. Dioscoro B. Sombilon;
• 3rd day Novena, Celebration of Temporalities – Offering of envelopes for “Kusog Ug Bahandi Balik Halad Ko” from the families of Pundok Banay Nos. 1 to 7
• 4th day Novena, Celebration of GKK – Fellowship Night with Pundok Banay Nos. 1 to 7, Senior Citizens Associations, and Homeowners Association;
• 5th day Novena, Celebration of Family and Life – Kids and Youth Day hosted by PSB and PSKB
• 6th day Novena, Celebration of Vocation – Inputs on Family Parenting by Couple Jim and Luela Cordova, FLA Parish Coordinator of St. Joseph Parish
• 7th day Novena, Celebration of Service – Hot Meals on Wheels: providing porridge to SPMC patient caregivers
• 8th day Novena, Celebration of Ecology – Organic Gardening inside the chapel;
• August 7, 2024, 9th day Novena at 5:00pm followed by the procession of Patron Saint, Sto. Domingo, around the vicinity of the subdivision ending at the chapel.

Visitors from other GKKs under Zone 2 (Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM), San Jose 2, San Jose Main and San Jose-Donnasville) and other Religious Organizations like: Couples for Christ, Divine Mercy Apostolate, St. Joseph Devotees, attended the 6:00 am Fiesta Mass.

After the mass, a fellowship Breakfast was served to the visitors. (Emy Gamorot)