Church: We've raised enough Calungsod funds

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma discloses that the Church has already have what they need in terms of resources in preparation for the thanksgiving mass for the canonization of Blessed Pedro Calungsod.

“Thanks be to God that people are very generous and people are cooperative. We have what we need in terms of resources… in terms of support and funds we already have it,” he added.

The other day, Palma and the organizing committee had a meeting to focus on the huge job needed to be completed.

“The area is so big. If you look at it, there are so many certain concerns like the filling materials, though Fr. Raul (Gallego) said nagsobra na ang mga filling materials but they have to do the road networks and the light,” he said.

Palma said that aside from SM, construction companies also voluntarily went to him to offer help. The construction of the Pedro Calungsod templete at the South Road Properties is ongoing. It will be the venue of the National Thanksgiving Mass on November 30 in honor of Calungsod’s canonization and will also be the newest addition to the heritage sites in Cebu.

Earlier, Fr. Brian Brigoli, the vice chairperson of the Archdiocesan Commission on Cultural Heritage of the Church, explained the different segments of the templete.

The center of it is the sanctuary where the sacred altar table will be placed. There will be a space dedicated for the bishops or celebrants and the area can accommodate about 150 bishops.

There will be a fire-made light structure at the center which symbolizes the “transcendence of faith” just like the martyrdom of Pedro Calungsod. The end of the pyramid structure at the apex will be the cross.

Aside from the approximately 1,500-square-meter-templete, the venue will have a vesting area, operation center, press center, police and security center, power lines, media stand, Blessed Sacrament chapels, souvenir stores, first aid stations, water stations, food stalls, and portable toilets.

Off-site, a parking area will be provided for vehicles of church dignitaries, vehicles for elderly and persons with disability, buses for out of town and Cebu pilgrims and emergency vehicles.

The organizing committee is still expecting more donations. The committee on the preparations for the canonization released a list of people who are the only ones allowed to solicit funds to ensure that the money given would be used as intended.

The canonization of Beato Pedro Calungsod in Rome, Italy will be this October 21.

— (FREEMAN)