Despite scaling down the templete to be built in the South Road Properties (SRP), the Cebu Archdiocese has “all the resources it needs” in hosting the Thanksgiving Mass for the canonization of the Blessed Pedro Calungsod this November.
Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma assured that preparations for the national thanksgiving mass are on right.
“We’re on schedule. We will not postpone the Thanksgiving Mass,” he said in jest.
Palma said physical preparations are the “most laborious part” with a lot to be done. Last month the committee on venue called for donations of filling materials to level the site the raise the foundation of the templete by several feet.
Actual construction of the templete t the corner lot next SM Seaside City at the SRP has not yet begun as site development is still ongoing.
Palma said this was no cause for worry. He said he met last Friday with construction companies who asked how they could help. One of them, SM Prime Holdings, earlier assured it would develop the entire site for the historic event.
While they will have to make do with what they have, the Catholics Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president said they “expect some more” donations especially for the “finishing touches.”
The Thanksgiving Mass on November 30 follows the canonization of Blessed Pedro Calungsod October 21 and the national pilgrimage around the country.
Organizers of the Thanksgiving Mass are looking for donors of filling and construction materials to help backfill the 29-hectare lot to be used as the venue for the activity.
The cost of building the templete was scaled down from P10 million to P5 million.
The Cebu Archdiocese said it has so far gathered more than P30 million in donations for the Mass or about half of their P60 million target.
Temporary shelters will be provided by the Cebu City government for pilgrims attending the Triduum masses or three-day masses before the Nov. 30 event.
The traveling image of Calungsod will leave the country for Rome on Oct. 16. It will be brought back to the country on Oct. 25 for the “Duaw Nasud” (national visitation) for trips to various parts of the Philippines before returning to Cebu on Nov. 27. Correspondent Jessa Chrisna Marie J. Agua with a story from Reporter Ador Vincent Mayol