On November 30, 2014 at around 11:45 AM, another milestone happened in the life of the OMPH Parish when the first Catholic mass in Sitio Sabang, Brgy. San Roque was held. Rev. Fr. Leo Mario F. Singco, OSA presided the mass and it was attended by the local Catholic residents and was witnessed by the different representatives from other chapels in Socorro except from Sitio Lawigan. At the same time after the mass, the first baptism took place with 27 people were accepted and welcomed to the Catholic faith. There were 5 adults, 14 children, and 8 infants
What took place on that day was beyond expectation when the people built a fully furnished chapel made out of timber and nipas which is contrary to the agreement that the mass can be held under the shade of a tree or a makeshift tent. The local faithful decided to build a new house of prayer for God, instead. True dedication and perseverance of the people is overwhelming when the church was only build within a short time with at least one week working days. Indeed, the church was not only built out of timber gathered and collected by family volunteers but it was also built with deep faith and fire of love of the Holy Spirit.
The spirit of cooperation and unity of the 20 catholic families was an overwhelming expression of that gift of the Holy Spirit. And so Rev. Fr. Leo Mario F. Singco, granted them to have the status of a chapel or visita of OMPH Parish. They will then have to create their own set of officers, BEC groups and have a regular schedule of a monthly Sunday mass. Consquently, they will have to be separated from their mother chapel in San Roque. The faithful were also given the chance to decide on who will be their patron. Meanwhile, Fr. Singco suggested that the name be Sto. Niño Chapel that is in time for the 450th anniversary of the finding of the image of Sto. Niño in Cebu, and the 450th anniversary of Augustinian presence in the Philippines on April 28, 2015, who are parish administrators.
Finally, after the first mass and first baptism, everyone was invited for a lunch and the rest of the sitio had like-a-festive atmosphere as an expression of their joyful thanks for this historical event.
What took place on that day was beyond expectation when the people built a fully furnished chapel made out of timber and nipas which is contrary to the agreement that the mass can be held under the shade of a tree or a makeshift tent. The local faithful decided to build a new house of prayer for God, instead. True dedication and perseverance of the people is overwhelming when the church was only build within a short time with at least one week working days. Indeed, the church was not only built out of timber gathered and collected by family volunteers but it was also built with deep faith and fire of love of the Holy Spirit.
The spirit of cooperation and unity of the 20 catholic families was an overwhelming expression of that gift of the Holy Spirit. And so Rev. Fr. Leo Mario F. Singco, granted them to have the status of a chapel or visita of OMPH Parish. They will then have to create their own set of officers, BEC groups and have a regular schedule of a monthly Sunday mass. Consquently, they will have to be separated from their mother chapel in San Roque. The faithful were also given the chance to decide on who will be their patron. Meanwhile, Fr. Singco suggested that the name be Sto. Niño Chapel that is in time for the 450th anniversary of the finding of the image of Sto. Niño in Cebu, and the 450th anniversary of Augustinian presence in the Philippines on April 28, 2015, who are parish administrators.
Finally, after the first mass and first baptism, everyone was invited for a lunch and the rest of the sitio had like-a-festive atmosphere as an expression of their joyful thanks for this historical event.