Three bishops and more than twenty priests, both diocesan and religious, took part in the concelebrated Holy Mass during which the Jesus Nazareno Quasi-Parish in Dansolihon was declared a Parish. The Eucharist presided by Most Rev. Jose A. Cabantan, D.D., the Archbishop of Cagayan de Oro started at 9:00 o’clock in the morning on February 18, 2023. The archbishop was accompanied by Most Rev. Antonio J. Ledesma, SJ. DD., the Archbishop Emeritus and Most Rev. Vilsom Basso, SCJ, DD, the Bishop of Imperatriz Diocese in Brazil.

At the beginning of the Eucharist Fr. Neil Pagalan, representing the Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro, read the “Decree of Elevation” of the new parish, followed by the installation of a new Parish Priest Fr. Janusz Burzawa, SCJ, and profession of faith.

The homily was delivered by Bp. Vilsom Basso, SCJ, in the local Cebuano language. Bp Vilsom Basso, SCJ, who was a missionary in the Philippines from 2006-2010, was once in charge of Jesus Nazareno Quasi-Parish in Dansolihon. In 2010 he was appointed as a Bishop of the Caxias Diocese in Brazil. According to Fr. Janusz Burzawa, the newly installed parish priest, his short presence in Dansolihon made an important spiritual impact on the parishioners.

The ceremony ended at 10:40 with the blessing of the statue of the replica of Black Nazareno by Archbishop Cabantan, followed by picture taking, a cultural presentation by the students of the Dansolihon National High School, and a common meal.

The declaration of the Jesus Nazareno Quasi-Parish as a full parish is a testament to the dedication and hard work of the parishioners and clergy, who have built a vibrant and welcoming community. It is also a sign of hope for the future, as the parish looks forward to continuing its mission of spreading the Good News and serving the people of Dansolihon.

We congratulate the Jesus Nazareno Parish and pray that God’s blessings may continue to be upon them as they journey together in faith.