JUVENTUS ~ Our Lady of Sorrows Parish Youth Ministry

Our Parish

The old church of the Our Lady of Sorrows Parish.

The Our Lady of Sorrows Parish was officially established on February 3, 1969 by virtue of the Decree of Canonical Erection then issued by Bishop Emilio Cinense, D.D. It was actually separated from the Parish of San Fernando (now the Metropolitan Cathedral) on March 10, 1969 by Rev. Msgr. Pedro Puno, then Vicar General of the Diocese, and was inaugurated as a parish on March 27, 1969.

Blessing of the old convent in March 1969.

At the same time, the convent, which was constructed through the efforts of the people of Dolores, had been blessed as well.

The Parish has a population of 23,075 (NSO, May 2000), Del Carmen and Dolores combined. The convent is located along McArthur Highway, Brgy. Dolores, City of San Fernando, Pampanga. Aside from the parish church, there are also chapels in Brgy. Del Carmen, Sitio Virgen de los Remedios in Looban, St. Francis Village, Villa Victoria, and Maligaya-Rodriquez Village.

Rev. Msgr. Eulalio Yabut (March 1969 - January 1974), the first minister assigned to the Parish, organized the first Parish Pastoral Council (PPC). It was during his stewardship that the formation of lay leaders and parishioners, through the "Recollection Classes" and "Cursillos" in Christianity, became more intense and meaningful with the assitance of devoted lay leaders of the Parish.

The Barangay ning Birhen (left) and the Catholic Women's League (right).

The religious organizations that existed even before its inauguration as parish, such as the Apostleship of Prayer, Barangay ning Virgen, and the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD), were strengthened and revitalized through Msgr. Yabut's encouragement. Other religious organizations such as the Adoracion Nocturna Filipina (ANF), Catholic Women's League (CWL), Holy Name Society, and the Children of Mary Immaculate (COMI), were subsequently established.

First wedding at the church with the old altar in the background.

Rev. Fr. Conrado Gosioco (January 1974 - April 1980), continued the courses in Formation. It was also during this time that Education Formation (EDFOR) was conducted by parish leaders upon his instructions.. Among the physical changes in the church were the installation of the big Crucifix at the center of the altar, the marble change of the altar flooring, construction of an elevated semi-parabolic driveway to prevent flooding, and corollary landscaping of the front grounds.

At the start of the transfer of Msgr. Crispiniano Gopez (April 1980 - February 1988) to the Parish, the first Archdiocesan Integrated Pastoral Plan (AIPP-I) was in full-gear operation in the Vicariate of Virgen de los Remedios under the able leadership of Msgr. Gregorio Canlas as Vicar Forane. It was also during this period that the "Cruzada" of Virgen Dolores was launched to catechize and to inform and explain to the parishioners why the fiesta of Apung Dolorosa should be held before Good Friday. Also, under Msgr. Gopez's watch, the Dolores Parish Foundation, Inc. was established in 1983.

Construction of the new church in 1992 to 1995.

Rev. Fr. Filomeno Puri (March 1988 - April 1988) served as parish priest only for one and a half month due to his untimely death on April 8, 1988. Upon his assumption, his dream was the construction of a new and bigger convent on a more spacious lot. Some say that it must have been this dream and his prayers in heaven that brought about the construction of the present church building.

Rev. Fr. Joselito Henson (April 1988 - May 1988) served as the OIC of the Parish from the time Fr. Puri went on leave due to failing health until his death. Then Rev. Fr. Rafael de la Cruz (May 1988 - July 1995) was designated to be the new parish priest and as the Spiritual Director of the Mother of Good Counsel Seminary.

Fr. Raffy leads the groundbreaking of the new church.

Under Fr. Raffy's ministry, the construction of the new convent was initiated in June 1992. It lasted for about four years and was finally completed in 1995.

Upon receipt of the traditional courtesy resignations of all PPC officers and members, Rev. Fr. Lorenzo "Larry" Sarmiento (July 1995 - November 2001) reorganized the structures of the mini pastoral and the PPC, and appointed respective officers and members, with most of the former leaders being reassigned.

When the fine-tuning of the construction of the new convent, as well as the payment of all remaining accounts incurred during construction, were over, new pastoral activities were launched.

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