HISTORY OF SAINT JAMES THE APOSTLE PARISH
(SANTIAGO DE CARIG)
-The Beginning
In 1746, three years after its founding as a “Pueblo”, Santiago (Carig) had only 47 catechumens, seven of whom became apostolates. In 1752, there were 55 neophytes or converts and 57 catechumens according to the missionaries who resided in Sta. Barbara de Lappao. Santiago (Carig) was accepted as the First Vicariate by Fr. Gregorio Marinas in 1755. The Vicariates were transferred from Patul to Carig in 1772. Carig had a convent and a church of regular structure until the middle of 19th Century. Its actual population was one thousand six hundred sixty tributaries.
Fr. Manuel Candela, O.P. was assigned to Carig as Parish Priest in 1883 and built a beautiful church structure but was not finished because he fell into hands of the Tagalog “insurectos” in September, 1898. He never returned to Carig. Fr. Nicanor Alcid, Parish Priest of Echague occasionally ministered to the spiritual needs of Carig. Fr. Salazar Victorino who was in the “insurectos” introduced the Aglipayan religion .
-The Takeover of the Missionaries of Immaculate Heart (CICM) and Secular Priests
In 1910, the Dominicans left the towns they administered in Isabela. The Missionaries of Immaculate Heart (C.I.C.M.) took over the southernmost towns which include Santiago (Carig). In December, 1916, Fr. Joseph Waffalert, C.I.C.M. was assigned to Santiago. In June, 1923, Fr. Felix Bumos, C.I.C.M. took over. Again, in March, 1931, Fr. Joseph Waffalert, C.I.C.M. was re-assigned to Santiago. From June, 1931 to 1945, Fr. Serafin Devesse and Fr. Lorenso Decastaker, both C.I.C.M., administered to the spiritual needs of Santiago. These Priests were unfortunately killed by the Japanese on March 3, 1945.
On October 3, 1945, Fr. Domingo Mallo, a secular Priest, was assigned to Santiago. He constructed a wooden chapel along the Provincial Road. Two years after, Fr. Pio Morales was also assigned as assistant Priest to Fr. Domingo Mallo.
-The Takeover of the Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette
On November 5, 1948, (+)Fr. Conrad Blanchet, M.S., (+)Fr. Raymond Leduc, M.S., (+)Fr. Paul Doulliard, and (+)Bro. Donat Levasseur, M.S., left New York, U.S.A., they reached Manila on December 12, 1948, and marked the arrival of the Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette to the Philippines in response to the call of (+)Bishop Constance Jurgens of Diocese of Tuguegarao (now Archdiocese of Tuguegarao) to meet the spiritual needs of Isabela, and they arrived at Isabela on December 22, 1948. (+)Fr. Conrad Blanchet, M.S. said the first mass on December 24, 1948 (Christmas Eve).
The first La Salette Missionary assigned in Santiago was (+)Fr. Conrad Blanchet, M.S. The first year of La Salette Fathers were spent in the organization of the Parish. In 1951, (+)Fr. Conrad Blanchet, M.S. continued rebuilding the church and was later completed in 1954 (later called the “Old Church” or “Social Hall”) by Fr. Maurice Cardinal, M.S. who later took over as the Parish Priest.
In the mid-1960’s, after the Vatican Council II, the thrust of the Parish centered catechesis with emphasis on liturgies. The Parish Pastoral Council was organized like: (1) The Family Life Program, (2) Marriage Encounter organized by (+)Fr. Emery Des Rochers, M.S. and the Cooperatives through the initiative of Fr. Efren Musngi, M.S. These program were introduced in the other La Salette Parishes with St. James the Apostle Parish as springboard.
In the early 1980’s, the Parish Pastoral Council as an organization was extended through the establishment of the Worship, Evangelization, Service, Temporalities (also known as WEST) Commissions. The commissions which were introduced by Fr. Orlando Sapuay, M.S., strengthen by Fr. Constante Dannug, M.S. and continued and activated by succeeding Parish Priest initiated the involvement of so many lay leaders and members. The “WEST” Commissions have been a great help in the systematic functioning of an alive Parish in its thrust of creating Basic Ecclesial Communities in the Barangays.
To date, St. James the Apostle Parish has a new church , a bell tower, and a newly erected convent . The Old Church which was built in 1954 in now converted into the St. James the Apostle Parish Multi-Purpose Hall, also known as Saint James Social Hall .
In April, 1989, Fr. Efren Tomas, M.S. assumed the post of the Parish Priest. Assisting him were Fr. Matthew Manjaly, M.S., (+)Fr. André Lussier, M.S. , Rev. Albert Luzano, M.S., Rev. Dario Bebillo, M.S. and two other Brothers who were temporarily assigned in the Parish to assist.
The Parish was active in the implementation of its program and projects. Lay leaders were trained to make them effective in re-awakening and strengthening the Catholic faith as well as those of others.
On April, 1994, Fr. Efren Tomas, M.S. was elected as the Provincial Superior of the Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette in the Philippines (called Ina ng Pag-Asa Province). Fr. Franklin G. Picio, M.S. , who was working at the La Salette High School as the Principal took over the Parish. Closely working with him were Fr. Emery V. Cadiz, M.S. , Fr. Jacob Vettathu, M.S., with the assistance of Fr. Dioscorro Layug , and Bro. (later Fr.) Cyriac Mattathilanickal, M.S.
The Parish is much alive with the regular classes of the Parish Renewal Experience (PREX), Life in the Spirit Seminars (CHRISM Community), Couples for Christ and other renewal movements were hundreds of parishioners experienced the conversion process.
New Priests came, in the persons of Fr. Gregorio Honorio, M.S., Fr. Danilo Galang, M.S., Fr. Agoes Raharjo, M.S., Rev. Fr. Cyriac Mattathilanickal, M.S., who later had to move on to a new assignment.
-Final years of the Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette
On July, 1998, the New Saint James the Apostle Parish Church which was constructed almost 25 years ago through the generosity of the parishioners had ventured into an expansion to accommodate the increasing number of parishioners, especially on Sundays. The ground breaking of the extension was done during the celebration of 252nd Patronal Fiesta on July 25, 1998 through the able leadership of then-City Mayor Amelita S. Navarro and Fr. Franklin G. Picio, M.S. as Parish Priest.
Fr. Franklin G. Picio, M.S., after seven years of service in the Saint James the Apostle Parish, with his companions, had to move on into a new venture in April, 2001. The much needed construction and expansion was passed on the new Parish Priest in the person Fr. Noel S. Cruz, M.S. , with his assistants, Fr. Abmar C. Dumayag, M.S., and Fr. Joy Porathur, M.S. who worked hand on hand to accommodate the work. Fr. Eulalio Culang, M.S., (+)Fr. André Lussier, M.S., Fr. Efren Tomas, M.S. who had other assignments outside the Parish took turns in helping out.
Fr. Stevanus Suharna, M.S. , an Indonesian Priest who was ordained in December, 2003 joined the group and was later followed by Fr. Benny Thadathilkunnel, M.S. on September, 2004. Fr. Arnel M. Soriano, M.S. , who was ordained in May, 2004 is the last La Salette Missionary assigned in Saint James the Apostle Parish as assisting Priest. He left the Philippines in January, 2006 to join the Missionaries in Hawaii.
It is through the initiative of Fr. Noel S. Cruz, M.S. that stained glass images of Saint James the Apostle and that of Our Lady of La Salette was installed. The renovation is done phase by phase. In the summer of 2004, the Altar is completely renovated. With the continuing generosity of the parishioners here and abroad, the Saint James the Apostle Parish is now a beautiful place of worship of which Santiaguenos is proud of.
Credits to: https://www.facebook.com/SantiagoDeCarigPH/?ref=page_internal
Text credits to: https://www.facebook.com/.../history-of.../634095800372952/
Old Photos Courtesy of "El Pueblo de Carig" Facebook Page History based on the Compilation of the Accounts of St. James Parish Courtesy of Mr. Alvert Reyes.
Music from the "Bukas Palad Music Ministry.
Special Thanks to Mr. Jhon Rey Africano for the drone shots.
