A Missionary Presence in Bataan

INTRODUCTION

Established in 2022, St. Francis Xavier community serves the growing Catholic population in the Diocese of Balanga, in the province of Bataan. Rooted in the charism of St. Daniel Comboni, it fosters evangelization, indigenous people outreach, and missionary promotion and vocation.

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St. Francis Xavier community was officially established and inaugurated on March 15, 2022, the birth anniversary of St. Daniel Comboni. This marks our first religious community in Central Luzon. However, Fr. Randy had already been in the Diocese of Balanga since November 2021, accompanied by Novice Francis. They were initially hosted at the parish of St. Michael the Archangel in Orion. In December, they relocated to a rented house in Brgy. Duale, Limay, where the present community resides. Fr. Edgar Vizcarra later joined, followed by Bro. Mario Jason Castro on August 9, 2022. On March 2, 2024, Fr. Edgar left for his new assignment in South Africa, and on April 5, 2024, Fr. Raoul Kasoso became part of the community.

The community ministers to the newly formed Parish of St. Daniel Comboni, which was erected by Rev. Bp. Ruperto C. Santos, DD, on February 6, 2022. The parish covers the entire barangay of Duale, as well as parts of barangays Alangan, Reformista, and St. Francis 1 and 2. It includes five chapels: San Isidro Labrador (Lower Duale), San Martin de Porres (Upper Duale), San Marcos (Kinaragan), Santa Clara (Peas), and Immaculate Conception (Bliss). Additionally, there are two Christian communities: Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal (Upper Tundol) and Our Lady of Fatima (Mamala). Two indigenous communities, the Aeta Mambukon and Aeta Zambal, reside in Sitio Kinaragan and Sitio Aryada, respectively.

According to the 2020 Census, Barangay Duale alone has 8,905 residents. The Municipality of Limay is home to three of the largest oil refineries in the country, attracting migrants nationwide. It is one of Bataan’s fastest-growing municipalities. Residents of Duale work as farmers, factory workers, overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), and professionals, mainly from the middle and lower classes. While the majority is Catholic, there is also a strong presence of religious sects such as Iglesia ni Cristo, Ang Dating Daan, and various non-denominational gospel churches.

Inspired by the love that flows from the Pierced Heart of the Good Shepherd, St. Francis Xavier community remains faithful to the charism of St. Daniel Comboni. It strives to be an evangelizing presence that nurtures the growth of God’s Kingdom.

 

EVANGELIZATION
The community has been entrusted with the pastoral care of St. Daniel Comboni Parish, ensuring its growth and flourishing. Each member actively participates in implementing the Parish Pastoral Plan and assumes specific ministries within the parish. We emphasize forming pastoral agents, empowering them to contribute to parish evangelization. As Comboni Missionaries, we focus on ministering to chapels and small Christian communities while reaching out to unchurched and not fully evangelized Catholics. Additionally, we promote a missionary spirit within the local church and encourage vocations for priestly, religious, and missionary life.

A significant community responsibility is overseeing the church’s construction, which will take two to three years. Fr. Randy Recalde serves as the parish priest and is responsible for the construction process, assisted by Bro. Mario in financial management, while Fr. Raoul supports pastoral efforts.

 

INDIGENOUS PEOPLE
Following the example and charism of St. Daniel Comboni, who dedicated himself to the poorest and most abandoned in Africa, the community also commits to serving Indigenous Peoples, one of today’s most marginalized groups. The parish ministers to the Aeta Mambukon in Kinaragan and the Aeta Zambal in Aryada. In Kinaragan, there is a chapel with regular Sunday Eucharistic celebrations and the administration of sacraments. The community also participates in the annual Indigenous People’s Day celebrations and conducts outreach activities in Aryada. Confreres strive to learn their language and culture, preserve their traditions, and support their welfare.

 

MISSION PROMOTION
Taking advantage of significant missionary feasts, such as the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the birth date of St. Daniel Comboni, and the feast days of mission patrons (St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus, St. Francis Xavier, St. Peter Claver), along with the missionary month of October, St. Francis Xavier community spreads awareness about the Comboni charism and mission. Thus, reflections and homilies emphasize missionary spirituality. The Community also welcomes missionaries to share their experiences.

The community encourages young people to consider missionary vocations. The members of the Community participate in diocesan initiatives to promote vocations. They welcome Comboni novices and postulants for pastoral and missionary exposure, contributing to their discernment and perseverance.

Through faith and dedication, the St. Francis Xavier community continues to spread the Gospel, foster vocations, and serve the people, ensuring that the spirit of St. Daniel Comboni grows in Bataan.

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