YOUNGEST SVD PHN MISSION STATION TURNS TWO (By Rachel Luna Peralta)

“Come and go.”

Two words, two occasions, two years.

Speaking before more than two hundred parishioners of the Holy Family Mission Station in Sadsadan, Bauko, Mt. Province on May 31, 2010, Bishop Rodolfo F. Beltran expressed those couple of words that inspired the laity as they celebrated their church’s second foundation anniversary on the Feast of Mary’s Visitation to her cousin Elizabeth.

“Come and listen to the Word of God. Umaykayo agdenggeg ti Sao ti Dios a kas inaramid ni Maria idi nagparang kenkuana ni Arkanghel Gabriel nga nangidanun ti damag nga isuna ti agbalin nga Ina ni Hesus. (Listen to the Word of God as obedient as Mary, when Archangel Gabriel appeared to her, informing her that she was chosen to be the Mother of Christ.), “ Bishop Beltran said during the Eucharistic Celebration which started at nine in the morning.

“No malpasyo nga denggen ti Sao ti Dios, ipanyo iwaragawag ti Naimbag a Damag a kas inubra ni Maria idi bisitaenna ti kasinsinna nga Elizabeth nga masikog idi numanpay nabayag nga lupes. (After listening to the Word of God, go and proclaim this to other people just as what Mary did when she  went to visit Elizabeth, her cousin who was then pregnant but used to be childless. Mary told Elizabeth about the greatness of the Lord.) “ Bishop Beltran added.

Presided over by the Bishop himself along with the church’s parish priest, Fr. Pablo G. Garay Jr, SVD, the Eucharistic Celebration highlighted the two-day foundation celebrations.
Other priests who concelebrated the Eucharist were Fr. Bento Tamang, Fr. Manny Samonte, and Rev. Ricky Samonte, who read the Gospel.

The Holy Family Mission Station is the youngest mission station built by the SVD Philippine Northern Province in this part of the Cordillera. It turned one year old on May 31, 2009, at a time when the SVD celebrated its 100 years in the Philippines.

“Maragsakanak ta nadanunyo ti maikadwa nga anibersaryo ti simbaanyo. Ket tunggal umayak agpasyar ditoy, adu ti mainaynayon nga pagbalbaliwan ken pagsayaatan ti daytoy ng parokya. Saan nga maaramid dayta nu saan nga gapu iti nagaget nga kura parukoyo a ni Fr. Bong Garay, SVD. Ken ammok nga saanna met nga kabaelan nga aramiden dayta no saan nga gapu iti kooperasyon, ayat, ken tulongyo nga taga Sadsadan. (I am happy that you have reached your second anniversary. Every visit I make here always brings new good things and improvements in sight. This would not have been made possible without your hard working parish priest, Fr. Bong Garay, SVD. And I am aware, that he could not have  possibly done it without your cooperation, love, and support.),” he commended.

The Bishop reiterated to take care of this church stressing that the church is not the edifice but the church are the people themselves who come everyday and every Sunday to celebrate Mass.
“Sikayo ti simbaan apo. Mapadakkelyo daytoy nga simbaan nu aywanano ken no umayyo tungpalen ti obligasyonyo nga makimisa ti tunggal Domingo. (You are the church. This church may grow if you care for it and if you fulfill your obligations by attending Holy Mass every Sunday.)” he concluded.

Located at the peak of Sadsadan in Upper Bauko, Mt. Province, the Holy Family Mission Station has grown fast as manifested by its growing number of parishioners and parishes. 
To date, there are 11 churches/chapels in the different barrios under the care and supervision of this parish, namely Sts. Arnold and Joseph ( Lukib), St. John the Evangelist (Letang), San Isidro Labrador (Banaka), Immaculate Conception (Mabaay), St. Mark (Bansa), Sto. Niño (Leseb), St. Francis Xavier (Am-am), St. Joseph the Worker (KM 102), San Isidro Labrador (Tapapan), St. Benedict (Pactil), and Our Lady of Perpetual Help (Beas).

“Ako ang simula, tayo po ang simula. Ituloy tayo ti narugyantayo iti daytoy nga simbaan ket agyamanak  apo iti tulong ken kooperasyonyo. (I am the beginning, we are the beginning. I am grateful to each one of you for without your support and cooperation there would be no church here),” quoted Fr. Garay from the popular slogan of a TV network, in his words of thanks before the Eucharistic Celebration ended.

Rich and Meaningful Celebrations
First-time visitors to this place get awed by its captivating beauty as well as the people’s sterling display of rich cultural traditions.

As music-loving people, the local parishioners braved the cold night as they came to support the church’s “Concert for a Cause” on the evening of May 31, 2010.

A local band named Sendong and Anak ng Cordillera serenaded the audience made of young and old, men and women of Sadsadan.

This “Concert for A Cause” was made possible by the singular effort of the youth of the parish who were responsible for most of the preparations – from selling tickets, looking for sponsors, preparing the food, to building the makeshift concert hall complete with stage and audience’s chair and enclosed with a big tent to protect the audience from the biting cold and from possible rainfall.    

A parade was held at 7:30 in the foggy morning of Monday, May 31, as part of the anniversary celebrations. This was followed by the Eucharistic Celebration. After the Holy Mass, a program was held for the local parishioners and visitors to enjoy. Parishioners from Sadsadan and the barrios mentioned earlier showcased their prowess in singing, dancing, and acting to the delight of the audience. Young people, teenagers, and old folks performed their respective numbers.

Bishop Beltran delivered a brief Inspirational Remarks commending the people for the efforts done during the celebrations. He also expressed hope for the publication of a souvenir program that would capture the merry-making and festivities of this two-day event.
For his closing remarks, Fr. Garay expressed once more his gratitude to the people and reiterated that he and the parishioners are the beginning of a historic event – the building of a Catholic Church in Sadsadan.
“Agyamanak manen apo ta nadanuntayo ti maikadwa nga anibersaryo ti Simbaan tayo. Ako ang simula, tayo ang simula. Adu pay ti masapul nga ubraentayo iti daytoy nga simbaan.  Ket agyamanak iti Dios ta sikayo ti intedna nga arbanko. (I am grateful that we have reached the second anniversary of our Church. I am the beginning, we are the beginning. A lot of work is still in store for this Church. But, I thank God for he has given you to me as my flock.),” he said.
 After the program, the parishioners and visitors partook in a lunch prepared by the church leaders and other local parishioners.

The people’s commendable trait became apparent when the audience remained seated and waited for the food to be passed on to them. The youth formed a long queue as they literally passed the food from one person to another until it reached all the people. There was no clutter, no trouble, and everything was peaceful and orderly during lunch.
Aside from their rich and beautiful natural resources and unique cultural tradition, the people of Sadsadan are an epitome of a true Catholic for their exemplary display of unwavering faith, genuine cooperation and unity, selfless commitment, and laudable discipline.  These are the attractions that lure visitors to keep coming back to Sadsadan.

Sadsadan is a fourthclass municipality of Mountain Province and the most populous town among its ten municipalities.Mountain Province was established by the Americans in 1908 and was later split in 1966 into Mountain Province, Benguet, Kalinga-Apayao, and Ifugao.