The municipality of Dumanjug is another beneficiary of the Diamond Jubilee Project:“Biblia para sa Bawat Pamilya.” Dumanjug is a 3rd class municipality in the south western portion of Cebu Province. Located 73 kilometers from Cebu City, it is a beautiful place bordered by both the sea and mountains. There are three parishes in the municipality namely: St. Francis of Assisi, St. Vincent Ferrer, and Christ the King. The animators were able to visit two parishes.
The community of Cebu is blessed to have good and active collaborators in spreading the Word of God. One of those is Mrs. Cesaria Macoy-Lim, a retired principal from the municipality and a very active parishioner. The first Bible Animation was held in the chapel of San Pedro and San Pablo at Lo-oc, Dumanjug on July 5 through her help. Sisters Victorina Quimpan and Ling Gutierrez with Ms. Jane Duarte, an APC arrived at the place at 3pm. The chapel belongs to St. Francis of Assisi Parish whose pastor is Fr. Teogenes T. Herrera. Most of the participants are wives of the fishermen and few fishermen themselves. It was a very lively activity where the participants were given basic information about the Bible. The sisters taught them how to read and meditate on the passages from the scriptures following the copy of the liturgical calendar attached at the back page of the Bibles. The people were so happy to welcome the Word of God in their homes. The animation ended at around 7pm. Mrs. Cesaria who is known as “Manang Saria” welcomed Sisters Victorina and Ling with APC Jane at her home to stay for the night.
The next day, they went to Christ the King Parish, Bulak, Dumanjug. Sisters Victorina and Ling together with APC Jane and Manang Saria met Fr. Aeolus Villar, the parish priest, who gladly welcomed them to the place. The sisters opened the Bible animation by giving the participants fundamental information about the Word of God followed by a Bible sharing which Sr. Victorina facilitated assisted by Sr. Ling. The audience was composed of parish workers and other parishioners who felt the hunger for the Word of God. The animation was finished by 1pm. After lunch, the group proceeded to the next chapel, San Antonio de Padua at barangay Doldol, Dumanjug. The people were already waiting when the group arrived at the place. The enthusiasm of the people to listen and learn about the Word of God was very evident in their smiles despite the long wait for the sisters. The tired animators who braved and endured the rough and bumpy road leading to the place were so happy to see and meet these people. It was a very enriching experience because the people were very eager to seek the richness of the Word of God and grow in their spiritual life. The group went back to Cebu not only with joyful hearts but loaded with vegetables and fruits given by the people of Bulak and Doldol.
The Bible mission in Dumanjug was not yet completed. Sisters Ling Gutierrez and Elvie Rafaela went back to the place together with Manang Saria on September 28. From the municipal proper of Dumanjug, they had to travel through the rough road going up the mountain to barangay Kanghumaod. The people of San Agustin chapel were already waiting for the group as early as 8am. According to them, they waited patiently because they were so happy that their barangay was chosen to be visited by missionaries and thus join the other beneficiaries of the Bible animation. Finally their desire to have their bible became a reality. Sr. Ling gave the introduction by sharing with them general information about the Word of God. She emphasized how God continues to speak to them through the Sacred Scripture. She taught them how to read and use the liturgical calendar. According to them, they were so happy that they can actively participate in their BEC through those Bibles. On the other hand, Sr. Elvie introduced to them “Lectio Divina”. Before leaving the barangay, the people gave the sisters fruits and vegetables. The simplicity of the people was very edifying. Before going back to Cebu, the group proceeded to the chapel of San Isidro in barangay Tubod Duguan. Another bible animation was held there from 2-4pm. All in all, 125 bibles were distributed in the municipality of Dumanjug. It is a good start that the Word of God is now welcome and talked about in peoples’ homes. The Word of God, Jesus himself, will eventually complete the work through His grace.
by Sr. Ling M. Gutierrez, fsp
