St. John Paul II Mission Station – Punta, Ormoc City

Colored by the most excruciating tragedies that happened in the Eastern part of Leyte like the 1991 Flash flood, 2013 Super-typhoon Yolanda & the 2017 earthquake to name some, a more profound development of faith among Ormocanons significantly marked the Christian community. However, with the rapid growth of the economy in this region including the constant human displacement, anonymity from the Church provided a greater gap instead.

Grateful for the strides made by the Archdiocese of establishing new small Christian communities like the Mission Station, the spiritual landscape which has constantly been rotted by the secular forces, is, on the other hand, regaining strength once again, putting back the significant values of active participation, co-responsibility, communion, unity in diversity & empowerment as a Church.

It was April 26, 2017 that the four Barangays close to the City of Ormoc, namely—Punta, Don Felipe, Batuan & Alegria have been established new Mission Station of the Archdiocese of Palo, with Brgy. Punta as the seat of the Mission. Through His Grace, Archbishop of Palo, John F. Du, DD, Rev. Fr. Mansueto L. Sosing was appointed the 1st Priest on Mission. Six months later, a new Mission Station Pastoral Council has been Formed, side by side with the Mission Station Finance Council.

Organizing the whole Mission Station has always been a big deal & a top priority. Four months prior to its formal elevation as St. John Paul II Mission Station, the Chapel leaders of the 20 Chapels around, gathered together for the 1st Pastoral Assembly. It was meant to evaluate the present actual situation of the Mission & the expected direction it would take for the next 5 years. It was only after 3 series of weekends or more that the Vision, Mission, Goal & Pastoral Action Plan was completed. Here, the result of the Pastoral Assembly showed four Pastoral Priorities namely—the communities, the families, the Youth & the environment. With all of these & the presence of the parishioners during the Pastoral Consultation, the Pastoral Team from the Chancery headed by Fr. Irwin Gavilo, got the impression of her readiness for Canonical establishment. For less than a month of preparation, St. John Paul II became the newest Mission Station of the Archdiocese of Palo in April 26, 2017 with Rev. Fr. Mansueto L. Sosing commissioned as the 1st Priest on Mission of St. John Paul II Mission Station.

The Sacraments automatically became available then, allowing the parishioners to join in the daily Mass & other Pastoral activities needed. On the other hand, while community organizing was also central to the Mission, building the structural Church was equally significant as air to life. Though a prospect lot has already been identified, the Mission is still unsure where to get the resources in buying it. Furthermore, while considering still possibilities of it, creation of Basic Ecclesial Communities Animators Team (BECAT) has been initiated in order to begin the challenging steps of community organizing. Just a week ago in August 12, the 1st Basic Bible Seminar (BBS) was held. Thirty two of them finished the whole day activity. Added to this, a new Livelihood Association will soon be registered by DOLE as part of an integral human development Program of community organizing.

As Protector of this Community, we entrust & count on St. John Paul II’s powerful intercession for our special needs particularly for the realization of the structural Church which will become a living monument of the Parishioners’ love for God. Thus, the Thursday of the week has also been set for the Devotional Mass in honor of St. John Paul II. While on the 22nd of October, is his Feastday.