Roman Catholic Diocese of Parañaque

Diocese of Parañaque Dioecesis Paranaquensis Diyosesis ng Parañaque
Arms of the diocese
Location
Country	Philippines
Territory	Parañaque City, Las Piñas City, Muntinlupa City
Ecclesiastical province	Manila
Metropolitan	Manila
Statistics
Area	126 km^2 (49 sq mi)
Population - Total - Catholics	(as of 2013) 2,534,321 (as of 2013) 2,234,786 (94%%)
Parishes	50 (4 diocesan shrines, 3 national shrines)
Churches	58 churches
Congregations	18
Schools	12
Information
Denomination	Catholic Church
Sui iuris church	Latin Church
Rite	Roman Rite
Established	December 7, 2002
Cathedral	Cathedral Parish of St. Andrew
Patron saint	St. Andrew the Apostle
Current leadership
Pope	Francis
Bishop	Most Rev. Jesse E. Mercado, D.D.
Metropolitan Archbishop	Luis Antonio Tagle Cardinal-Archbishop of Manila
Vicar General	Rev. Msgr. Allen C. Aganon

The Diocese of Parañaque is one of the 72 ecclesiastical territories called dioceses of the Catholic Church in the Philippines. It comprises the cities of Parañaque, Las Piñas, and Muntinlupa. Formerly belonging to the Archdiocese of Manila, It was established on December 7, 2002 by Pope John Paul II by virtue of the Papal Bull Ad Efficacius. Most Rev. Jesse E. Mercado, D.D., the Auxiliary Bishop of Manila and then the District Bishop of the Ecclesiastical District of Parañaque (formerly, PPLM), was designated as its first Bishop. He was formally installed on January 28, 2003.

The diocese comprises 50 full-fledged parishes (4 of which are pronounced diocesan shrines, 3 of which are national shrines), 2 quasi-parishes, 2 sub-parishes and 1 non-parochial shrine. The Cathedral Parish of St. Andrew in La Huerta, Parañaque City, serves as the seat of the diocese.

Vision

We, the local church of the Diocese of Parañaque, envision ourselves as a communion of diverse communities, embracing and sharing in Jesus' mission to proclaim the Reign of the Father, constantly renewed by the Holy Spirit and accompanied by Mary, our Mother and Model.

Mission

As a Diocese, we commit ourselves to proclaim the Kingdom of God by:

1. Recognizing the primacy of grace and our need for continual renewal (Aggiornamento)
2. Building BECs as the way of being church and experiencing communion (Communion);
3. Engaging in the integral evangelization of all, particularly the developing communities, the family and the youth (Missio).

Core values

• Open-heartedness and open-mindedness to God's grace of conversion.
• Unity in diversity.
• Responsibility for the growth of communion.
• Shared, Participative, transparent stewardship of the process and resources of evangelization.

Pastoral priorities

• Call to conversion, to bring about serious paradigm shifts particularly in the areas of:
  • the mission and identity of the Church
  • the roles and responsibilities of the lay apostolate, organizations and movements and
  • the traditional expressions and structures, attitudes and practices of faith-life.
• Renew focus on the sectors of Youth, Family and Developing Communities.
• Renew and strengthen relationships among the clergy, between the clergy and the laity, with the religious, and with the Bishop.
• Enhance liturgical celebration as the focal point of communio in worship, the source and summit of Christian Life.
• Promote, develop and sustain BEC as the basic mode of being church, and the parish as the focal point of unity and harmony.
• Strengthen, standardize, and harmonize catechesis and formation programs for all strata: Children, Young Adults, Clergy, Laity, Church worker, professional Church worker, volunteer, Ministries, Mandated organizations.
• Learn how to influence and renew our urbanized culture in Parañaque, Las Piñas and Muntinlupa and with it over towards renewed integral evangelization, reaching out to its critical centers (malls, offices, schools, medial, local governments) utilizing the language it understands and the modern means and ways it employs.
• Intensify the missionary spirit that will move people to evangelize outside their personal sphere of comfort, whether in their neighborhood, their parish, the diocese of beyond our borders. We should all be missionaries
• Intensify the call for vocations
• Acquire and apply the most appropriate management techniques and principles of transparency, equity and mutual trust in marshalling and managing resources.

Bishops of Parañaque

• Most Rev. Jesse E. Mercado, D.D., S.T.L. (January 28, 2003– Present)

Statistics

The diocese has 2,234,786 Roman Catholics out of a total population of 2.53 million.^[1]

Diocesan Coat of Arms

The arms of the Diocese of Parañaque.

The mitre symbolises the pastoral authority of the bishop, which he exercises within the three cities: Parañaque (an "M" in a crown); Las Piñas (the Bamboo Organ); and Muntinlupa (the mountains over water), comprising the Diocese of Parañaque.

Bishop's Coat of Arms

• The Cross – The cross is traditionally an element in most episcopal coats of arms. The Episcopal ministry is always Jesus' ministry and the bishop is only a servant of Jesus, collaborating in His ministry.
• The Staff with lilies – The staff is traditionally the symbol of the pastoral authority of the bishop. The lilies denote St. Joseph, patron of the seminary from which the bishop had had his formation (San Jose Seminary, Quezon City). The bishop-elect envisions his pastoral role as patterned after St. Joseph himself, who acted in a fatherly manner to Jesus, who was entrusted to him and Mary by the heavenly Father.
• The Crown with an "M" – Mary is hailed as Queen in Heaven. But she exercises her queenship as a mother to her children entrusted to her by God. Moreover, Mary is the patroness of Parañaque, venerated under the title Nuestra Señora del Buen Suceso, the first city of the diocese.
• The Bamboo Organ – The Bamboo Organ is an internationally acclaimed musical instrument currently housed in the Parish of St. Joseph. This symbolizes the second city under the bishop-elect's pastoral administration – the city of Las Piñas.
• The small mountain near a body of water – This is the symbol of the third city under the pastoral care of the bishop-elect, namely, Muntinlupa City.
• The Motto – "CONFIRMA FRATRES TUOS" – Taken from the gospel of Luke 22:32 wherein Jesus expressed his hope that after Peter's denial and subsequent conversion, he is commanded to strengthen his brethren (strengthen your brethren).
• The color schemes – Green refers us to St. Joseph whose fatherly care to the Holy Family earned him the title patron of the Universal Church. The blue field on the other hand, refers us to Mary, who, given to the care of Joseph, conceived the child Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit (red shade). The movement from dark to bright as seen in the area of Muntinlupa is the hope that through the bishop-elect's humble ministry, the "dawn from on high (Jesus Christ) will come upon us all" in the diocese.

Diocesan Curia

Vicar General

• Rev. Msgr. Allen C. Aganon, P.C., V.G.

Episcopal Vicars

• Rev. Msgr. Allen C. Aganon, P.C., V.G. – Episcopal Vicar for the Clergy
• Rev. Fr. Rolando R. Agustin – Episcopal Vicar for the Religious
• Rev. Msgr. Albert A. Venus, P.C. – Episcopal Vicar for the Laity

Judicial Vicar

• Rev. Msgr. Felipe E. Ocol, H.P., J.C.L.

College of Consultors

• Rev. Msgr. Felipe E. Ocol, H.P., J.C.L.
• Rev. Msgr. Manuel G. Gabriel, P.C., S.T.D.
• Rev. Msgr. Albert A. Venus, P.C.
• Rev. Msgr. Ernesto A. Joaquin, H.P.
• Rev. Fr. Gerard Vicente B. Mascariña
• Rev. Fr. Carmelo O. Estores – Relator

Chancellor

• Rev. Fr. Carmelo O. Estores

Vice Chancellor

• Rev. Fr. Joseph D. Landero

Oeconomus

• Rev. Fr. Rodel D. Paulino

Board of Clergy Concerns

• Rev. Msgr. Allen C. Aganon, P.C. – Chairman

Property Administration

• Rev. Fr. Enrico S. Salazar – Director

Human Resources

• Rev. Fr. John Paul Y. del Rosario – Director

Council of Priests

• Rev. Msgr. Felipe E. Ocol, H.P., J.C.L.
• Rev. Msgr. Allen C. Aganon, P.C., V.G.
• Rev. Msgr. Albert A. Venus, P.C.
• Rev. Fr. Rolando R. Agustin
• Rev. Fr. Rodel D. Paulino
• Rev. Fr. Augusto C. Pulido
• Rev. Msgr. Manuel G. Gabriel, P.C., S.T.D.
• Rev. Msgr. Armando A. Villarruz, P.C.
• Rev. Fr. Gregory H. Ramos
• Rev. Fr. Lamberto B. Legaspino
• Rev. Fr. Angel Venancio I. Sanchez
• Rev. Fr. Ernie Cruz, S.D.B. – For the Religious Clergy
• Rev. Fr. Carmelo O. Estores – Relator

Diocesan Council of the Laity

Rev. Msgr. Albert A. Venus, P.C., Episcopal Vicar for the Laity – Director

Federico A. Manalo – Relator

Donna Caacbay

Marissa Limbo

Ramon de Jesus

Eugene dela Cruz

Raul Delloma

Kaenel Bergado

Noel Risos

Bienvenido Araw II

Jose Bocaling, Jr.

Diocesan Council of Religious

Rev. Fr. Rolando R. Agustin, Episcopal Vicar for Religious

Rev. Fr. Grato Germanetto, C.R.S.

Rev. Fr. David C. Domingues, M.C.C.J.

Rev. Fr. Eligio Santos, S.D.B.

Sr. Belen H. Laurenaria, S.F.C.C. – Relator

Exorcist

Rev. Fr. Agalito T. Tarog

Assistant Exorcists

Rev. Fr. Viktor Emmanuel I. Aurellana, R.C.J.

Rev. Fr. Remo Bati, S.D.B.

Department for the Implementation of Pastoral Priority Programs

Rev. Fr. Augusto C. Pulido – Head

Rev. Fr. Rodel D. Paulino – Assistant Head

Rev. Fr. Jonathan T. Cadiz – Executive Secretary

Ms. Lourdes I. Camballa – Lay Coordinator

Commission on BEC Animation and New Evangelization

Rev. Fr. William P. Ramos – Chairman

Commission on the Family

Rev. Fr. Lamberto B. Legaspino – Chairman

Rev. Fr. Benito Ma. Isip, II, OSM – Co-Chairman

Commission on the Youth

Rev. Fr. John Paul B. Frias – Chairman

Commission on Liturgy and Popular Religiosity (Office of Liturgical Affairs)

Rev. Fr. John Francis Frederick K. Manlapig – Chairman

Rev. Fr. Roderick S. Pacoma – Chairman

Commission on Catechesis and Religious education

Rev. Fr. Fidel G. Fabile – Chairman

Diocese of Parañaque Parochial Schools Association (DOPPSA)

Rev. Fr. Fidel B. Fabile – Superintendent

Commission on Service to Human Promotion (Caritas Parañaque)

Rev. Msgr. Albert A. Venus – Chairman

Rev. Fr. Christopher A. Tejido – Chairman

Rev. Fr. Jonathan T. Cadiz – Assisting Priest

Pondo ng Pinoy

Rev. Fr. John Paul Y. Del Rosario – Director

Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting

Rev. Msgr. Melchor D. David, P.C. – Director

Prison Ministry

Rev. Fr. Jose B. Soler – Coordinator

Diocesan Biblical Apostolate

Rev. Fr. Christian Emmanuel C. Gabinete – Chairman

Rev. Fr. Ulrich C. Gacayan R.C.J. – Co- Chairman

Department for Administration and Finance

Rev. Fr. Rodel D. Paulino – Head

Rev. Fr. John Paul B. Frias – Executive Secretary

Diocesan Finance Council

Atty. Ma. Liza Lopez-Rosario

Mrs. Winefreda Madarang

Mr. Ramon Ocampo

Mr. Bienvenido Araw II

Office of Treasury and Accounting/Audit

Mrs. Winefreda Madarang – Director

Office of Property Administration

Rev. Fr. Enrico S. Salazar – Director

Office of Human Resources and Personnel

Rev. Fr. John Paul Y. Del Rosario – Director

Diocesan Center for Evangelization Building Administration

Rev. Fr. Gilbert T. Romulo, Jr. – Administrator

Diocesan Vocations

Rev. Fr. Joseph D. Landero – Director

Rev. Fr. John Paul C. Frias – Assistant Vocations Director

Bishop of Parañaque

Most Rev. Jesse E. Mercado, D.D., Bishop of Parañaque was born on June 6, 1951 in Caloocan City. He spent his seminary years at San Jose Seminary within Ateneo de Manila University complex from 1968 to 1977. He was ordained priest of the Archdiocese of Manila on March 19, 1977. During his presbyteral ministry, he served as on-loan formator in San Pablo Seminary (Baguio City, 1977–1979), formator at San Carlos Seminary (1979–1981, 1985–1988), Rector of the Holy Apostles Senior Seminary (1988–1994), and Rector of the Pontificio Collegio Filippino (Rome, 1994–1997). He was named auxiliary bishop of Manila by Pope John Paul II as was ordained on March 31, 1997 by Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin. He served as District Bishop of the Ecclesiastical District of PPLM (Parañaque, Pasay, Las Piñas and Muntinlupa, later renamed as the Ecclesiastical District of Parañaque). With the proclamation of the district as an independent diocese on December 7, 2002, he was designated to be its first bishop and was installed on January 28, 2003.

Vicariates and Parishes

St. Andrew's Cathedral, seat of the Diocese of Parañaque

Vicariate of Sta. Rita de Cascia (Baclaran, Tambo, Don Galo, La Huerta, San Dionisio, San Isidro, Sto. Niño, Vitalez, Moonwalk)

• Saint Andrew Cathedral-Parish (Diocesan Shrine of Nuestra Señora del Buen Suceso)
• National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help (Redemptorist Church, Baclaran)
• Mary, Queen of Apostles Parish
• Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Parish (Multinational Village)
• Saint Joseph Parish (Tambo)
• Santo Niño Parish
• Santa Rita de Cascia Parish

Vicariate of San Antonio de Padua (San Antonio, Marcelo Green, BF Homes)

• Our Lady of Unity Parish
• Jesus, The Divine Healer Parish
• Ascension of Our Lord Parish
• Mary, Mother of Good Counsel Parish
• Our Lady of Grace Parish
• Our Lady of Peace Parish
• Presentation of the Child Jesus Parish
• Resurrection of Our Lord Parish
• San Antonio de Padua Parish
• Saint Pius of Pietrelcina Parish

Vicariate of San Martin de Porres (Merville, Moonwalk, Sun Valley, San Martin de Porres)

• Holy Infant Jesus Parish
• Holy Eucharist Parish
• Our Lady of Beautiful Love Parish
• Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Parish (Sun Valley)
• National Shrine and Parish of Mary, Help of Christians –
• San Agustin Parish
• San Martin de Porres Parish
• Mary Immaculate Parish

Vicariate of St. Joseph (Las Piñas City)

• St. Joseph Parish (Las Piñas Bamboo Organ Church)
• San Ezekiel Moreno Oratory (Golden Haven Compound, C-5 Extension)
• Christ the King Parish (Pamplona)
• Good Shepherd Parish (Doña Manuela)
• Last Supper of Our Lord Parish (Times Village)
• Our Lady of Fatima Parish (Philam Village)
• Saint Joseph the Worker Parish (BF Mariposa)
• Immaculate Conception Parish (Gatchalian Subdivision)

Vicariate of the Holy Family (Las Piñas City)

• Santo Cristo Parish
• Holy Family Parish
• Five Wounds of Our Lord Parish and Diocesan Shrine
• Mary Immaculate Parish
• Mary, Mother of the Church Parish
• Our Lady of the Pillar Parish
• San Isidro Labrador Parish
• Madonna del Divino Amore Quasi-Parish

Vicariate of Our Lady of Abandoned (Muntinlupa City)

• San Roque Parish
• Ina ng Awa Parish
• L'Annunziata Parish
• Mary Cause of Our Joy Parish
• Mary, Mother of God Parish
• Our Lady of Miraculous Medal Parish and National Shrine
• Our Lady of the Abandoned Parish and Diocesan Shrine
• Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish
• San Nicolas de Tolentino Parish
• Saint James the Great Parish
• Saint Jerome Emiliani and Santa Susana Parish
• Saint Peregrine Laziosi Parish and Diocesan Shrine
• San Pedro Calungsod Quasi-Parish
• New Bilibid Prison Reservation Chapel

Religious Congregations and Organizations

Religious Men

Brothers of the Christian Schools (F.S.C.)

Comboni Missionaries of the Heart Jesus (M.C.C.J.)

Community of the Legionaries of Christ (L.C.)

Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (C.Ss.R.)

Congregation of the Sons of the Immaculate Conception (C.F.I.C.)

Congregation of the Mission (C.M.)

Congregation of the Passion of Jesus Christ (C.P.)

Congregation of the Rogationists of the Heart Jesus (R.C.J.)

Congregation of the Sacred Stigmata of Our Lord Jesus Christ (C.S.S.)

Mary's Little Children Community (M.L.L.C.)

Order of St. Benedict (O.S.B.)

Order of Clerics Regular of Somasca (C.R.S.)

Order of Friars Minor Conventual (O.F.M. Conv.)

Order of the Servants of Mary (O.S.M.)

Oblates of St. Benedict (O.S.B.)

Oblates of St. Joseph (O.S.J.)

Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (P.I.M.E.)

Salesian Society of Don Bosco (S.D.B.)

Servant Brothers of St. Francis (S.S.F.)

Sons of Holy Mary Immaculate (S.H.M.I.)

Society of Jesus (S.J.)

Society of African Missions (S.M.A.)

Religious Women

Catechist Sisters of the Sacred Heart (C.S.S.H.)

Congregation of the Augustinian Recollect Sisters (A.R.)

Congregation of the Daughters of Our Lady of La Pieta (F.N.S.P.)

Congregation of the Mother of Sorrows Servant of Mary, Mother of Sorrows (O.S.M.)

Congregation of Sisters of the Child Jesus (C.S.C.J.)

Congregation of the Hijas de Jesus (F.I.)

Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Spirit (C.S.H.S.)

Congregation of the Sisters of St. John the Baptist (C.S.S.J.B.)

Congregation of the Sisters of St. Paul de Chartres (S.P.C.)

Compassionist Sisters Servants of Mary (C.S.S.M.)

Crucified Sisters Adorers of the Holy Eucharist (C.A.E.)

Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul (D.C.)

Daughters of the Crowned Virgin (D.C.V.)

Daughters of St. Francis of Florence (D.S.S.F.)

Daughters of St. Francis de Sales (D.S.F.S.)

Daughters of the Immaculate Conception of Charity (F.I.C.C.)

Daughters of Mary Immaculate Under the Protectorship of St. Joseph (F.M.I.)

Daughters of Our Lady of Mount Calvary (D.L.M.C.)

Daughters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary (C.C.J.M.)

Daughters of St. Therese of the Infant Jesus (D.S.T.)

Daughters of Virgin Mary Immaculate (D.V.M.I.)

Eucharistic Disciples of St. Pius X (E.D.P.X.) – Semi-Contemplative

Franciscan Hospitaller of the Immaculate Conception (F.H.I.C.)

Franciscan Immaculatine Sisters (F.I.S.)

Franciscan Sisters Adorers of the Holy Cross (F.S.A.H.C.)

Franciscan Sisters Handmaids of Immaculate (F.S.H.I.)

Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate (F.S.I.)

Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Victories (F.N.S.V.)

Franciscan Sisters of the Lord (F.S.L.)

Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart (S.F.S.C.)

Franciscan Sisters of the Transfiguration (S.F.T.)

Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of the Agonizing Jesus (H.S.H.A.J.)

Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus of Pohang (H.S.H.J.)

Hospitalier Sisters of Mercy (H.S.M.)

Institute of Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (S.S.C.)

Kkottongnae Sisters of Jesus (K.S.J.)

Living Gospel Community (L.G.C.)

Little Servants of the Holy Family (L.S.H.F.)

Little Sisters of the Annunciation (L.S.A.)

Little Servant Sisters of the Immaculate Conception (L.S.S.I.C.)

Missionary Sisters of Jesus the Eternal Priest (M.G.E.S.)

Missionaries of Our Lady of Perpetual Help (M.P.S.)

Missionary Daughters of Saint Jerome Emiliani (M.S.)

Oblation Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament (O.S.B.S.)

Oblates Sisters of St. Francis Xavier (O.S.S.F.X.)

Order of the Most Holy Annunciation (O.M.H.A.)

Oblates Sisters of the Most Holy Redeemer (O.S.R.)

Oblates of the Risen Christ (O.R.C.)

Our Lady of Sorrows Sisters-Servants of Mary (O.L.S.S.-S.M.)

Parochial Handmaids of the Holy Spirit (P.H.H.S.)

Religious of Mary Immaculate (R.M.I.)

Religious Sisters of Mercy (R.S.M.)

Reparatrix Sisters of the Sacred Heart (R.S.C.)

Reparatrix Sisters Servants of Mary (S.M.R.)

Sisters of the Angels (Sd.A.)

Sisters of Charity of St. Anne (S.C.S.A.)

Sisters Disciples of Jesus in the Eucharist (D.G.E.)

Sisters of the Holy Family (S.S.F.)

Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth (S.H.F.N.)

Sisters of St. Joseph of the Apparition (S.J.A.)

Sisters of the Little Mission for the Deaf (S.L.M.D.)

Sisters of the Most Holy Trinity (S.M.H.T.)

Sisters of the Presentation of Mary Most Holy in the Temple (P.M.M.T.)

Sisters of the Poor of St. Catherine of Siena (Sd.P.)

Sisters of Reparation (S.R.)

Sisters Servants of the Visitation (S.S.V.)

Veronican Sisters of the Holy Face (V.S.H.F.)

Women Apostles of the Holy Rosary (A.H.R.)

Zelatrix Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Z.S.S.H.J.)

Diocesan events

San Pedro Calungsod visit (October 29–30, 2012)

The statue of San Pedro Calungsod has visited the diocese a concelebrated Mass was celebrated by Bishop Mercado at 6 pm and a veneration and vigil continue until midnight, starting 5 am until 11 am an hourly Mass is celebrated for its honor at 12nn another concelebrated Mass was celebration to mark its departure.

Diocesan Eucharistic Congress (September 14, 2013)

This happened at St. Andrew's Cathedral as one of the highlights of the Year of the Eucharist of the diocese 200 priests and laity interact on the importance of the Eucharist.

References

1. Cheney, David. "Statistics, Diocese of Parañaque". Retrieved 2007-08-31.

External links

• The Official Website of the Mother Butler Guild Diocese of Parañaque
• Official Website of the Mother Butler Guild Diocese of Parañaque "Our Lady of Unity Parish"
• The Official Website of the Diocese of Parañaque