Bishop Julito Cortes leads groundbreaking ceremony for new parish church in Diocese of Dumaguete

Bishop Julito Cortes led a groundbreaking ceremony on Oct. 1 for the new St. Thérèse of Lisieux parish church in Buñao, Dumaguete City. The Diocese of Dumaguete established the parish to serve growing communities in the northern part of the city.

The new parish covers the areas of Buñao, Bantayan, and Pulang Tubig in Dumaguete, along with Agan-an and Boloc. Bishop Cortes stated the parish was created to meet the pastoral needs of increasing populations and to bring the Church closer to the people.

Parish priest Msgr. Gamaliel Tulabing said pastoral ministry will begin in homes and other gathering places while the permanent church is under construction. Priests and parish leaders plan to visit families, celebrate Masses in homes or along roads, and strengthen Basic Ecclesial Communities. The parish also intends to train lay leaders and promote devotion to St. Thérèse through community activities and prayer.