Buy a book and build a church

Bahay ng Diyos Foundation Inc., an organization that helps fund the construction of parish churches and chapels in Catholic dioceses in poor and remote places throughout the Philippines, marked its ninth anniversary at the Manila Hotel’s Centennial Hall. The event coincided with the 80th birthday of its founder and president, Noemi Saludo.  Archbishop of Manila and chairman of Bahay ng Diyos Foundation’s advisory council, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, led the celebration of the thanksgiving Mass, together with Archbishop Ramon Arguelles of Lipa, Archbishop Angel Lagdameo of Jaro, Archbishop Paciano Aniceto of San Fernando, Pampanga, Bishop Manolo Delos Santos of Virac, and Bishop Nereo Odchimar of Tandag.  Archbishop-Emeritus of Manila and chairman-emeritus of Bahay ng Diyos Foundation’s Advisory Council, Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales led the recognition of the foundation’s faithful donors through the years.  Saludo also announced that the Bahay ng Diyos Foundation will help rebuild the Parish Church of Saint Michael the Archangel in Clarin, and the Parish Church of the Holy Cross in Maribojoc, both in the Diocese of Tagbilaran in Bohol. Both churches were heavily damaged by a strong earthquake that hit the province in October 2013.   To help raise funds for this endeavor, the foundation launched Icons: Windows to the Soul, a coffee-table book by Filipino visual artist Gerard Sison about popular Catholic saints.