THE GIFT OF FIFTY YEARS

St. Alphonsus Mary de Liguori Parish in Magallanes Village, Makati celebrates its 50th anniversary this year with the theme, “Grateful for our 50th.” The Parish was established on June 7, 1967, upon the suggestion by the first few residents of Magallanes Village led by Mrs. Corazon Arcenas and the endorsement by Msgr. Ferdinand Mempin, then parish priest of Saint Joseph the Worker in Palanan, Makati.

The parish flourished under the care of its pastors: Msgr. Ferdinand Mempin, Msgr. Nicanor Bautista, Msgr. Benedicto Aquino, Msgr. Ernesto P. Cruz, Rev. Fr. Benito B. Tuazon with Fr. Edwin E. Mercado was Parochial Vicar who eventually also became its parish priest and Rev. Fr. Isidro T. Marinay with Fr. Richard Garrido as Parochial Vicar.

For the past two years, the parish has been led by the dynamic team of Msgr. Claro Matt M. Garcia with Fr. Lorenzo Ruggiero as Parochial Vicar. Msgr. Claro Matt Garcia reorganized the Parish Pastoral Council, revived the BEC (Basic Ecclesial Community) this year with 2017 being the Year of BEC and re-focused on the Education and Social Services Ministries. Fr. Lorenzo Ruggiero, Parochial Vicar, has given several talks for spiritual nourishment. His charismatic ways make him well-liked by parishioners of all ages, especially the youth.

On July 27, 2017, the Vatican has declared St. Alphonsus Mary de Liguori Parish a Jubilee Church. Pilgrims shall be invited to walk through its Holy Doors to gain planetary indulgences from August 1, 2017 to August 1, 2018, marking the Feast of its Patron, St. Alphonsus — Doctor of the Church, Founder of the Redemptorists, Patron of Moral Theologians, devotee to the Blessed Virgin Mary and humble servant of God. His Eminence Luis Antonio Tagle, Archbishop of Manila, blessed the Holy Doors on August 1.