Our Sister Parish

St. Vincent’s Ferrer

   The St. Ignatius parish of Annandale and St. Vincent Ferrer, parish of Pacuan, in the Philippines, began the journey as sister parishes in 2008.  Negros is one of the Philippine’s 7,100 islands. On the west side of this beautiful country and high in a mountain is a barangay, or village, called Pacuan.  Together we began learning and acknowledging each other's gifts and talents.  We remained open to be present for each other as our relationship transformed into a solidarity that will continue to deepen with time and commitment. We openly accept these experiences and these challenges to become a stronger family in God's Glory. 

   This community was so generous with the time they gave to us.  The hospitality they showed us was limitless.  We worked together on creating a library at both the elementary and high school of Pacuan, planned a youth day where students of all ages gathered in prayer, games, and entertainment, and worked with their city officials and school children on a community clean-up.  Many of the families asked for English dictionaries, so three boxes of books and dictionaries were just sent in time for the beginning of their new school year!  Once of the highlights was to travel higher in the mountains to visit neighboring communities, attend a mass, and help feed the children a nutritious soup made from a mixture that comes from the "Feed My Starving Children" program.  Together, we remain open in accepting these experiences, as we become a stronger family in God's Glory.

   The following is a memory of the first time we celebrated mass together.  

   “Near the center of Pacuan is a small church filled with people dressed in their finest, kneeling on a cool cement floor.  There are no doors that close, no windows that open, only places in the walls where a slight breeze can be felt on this very warm morning.  Two rows of straight-backed benches lead the way to the front altar which is adorned with colorful flowers and a row of twinkling lights surrounding the cross. 

  We slowly walk to the front of this little church as lively guitar chords, the rhythm of a drum, and gentle praises of song reach out to greet us. The priest raises his hands for the opening blessing.  Mass begins and although the language is foreign to our ears, we feel at ease because of the familiarity in the order of all things.  We are then welcomed as a group by our brothers and sisters of St. Vincent’s Parish...and we begin to pray together as one.  So far away, yet this welcome makes us feel at home.  This becomes our home for a short while and a family of people to love a lifetime.”