Archdiocese organizes concert to raise funds for IEC in January

Performers in ‘400 Priests of Cebu’ concert include Palma, other top diocesan officials

Concert’s executive committee officer said that aside from the 400 priests, there are also guests, including the Mandaue Children’s Choir, Archdiocesan Seminarians of Cebu and the Basilica Minore Del Santo Niño and the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral choirs

DIOCESAN and religious priests will perform in a concert organized by the Archdiocese of Cebu to help raise funds for the 51st International Eucharistic Congress (IEC).

The “400 Priests of Cebu in Concert: Faith, Love and Songs” will feature 400 diocesan and religious priests. It will be held on Nov. 26 to 27. Included in the list of performers is Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma and newlyinstalled auxiliary bishops Dennis Villarojo and Oscar Florencio.

Villarojo told Sun.Star Cebu yesterday that the concert was organized not only to help raise funds for the 51st IEC next year but also to show the faithful the collective support of the local clergy for next year’s event.

Villarojo, who is the 51st IEC’s secretary-general, said that the concert will also help test the facilities in the IEC Pavilion in Barangay Mabolo, Cebu City.

Msgr. Ruben Labajo, one of the concert’s executive committee officers, said that aside from the 400 priests, they also have special guests, including the Mandaue Children’s Choir, Archdiocesan Seminarians of Cebu and the Basilica Minore Del Santo Nino and the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral grand choirs.

The concert is under the direction of Msgr. Rudy Villanueva.

Labajo said group rehearsals started last month.

General rehearsals will start next week after the Cebu clergy’s recollection.

Labajo said that during the general rehearsals next week, they will utilize the IEC Pavilion as a venue of practice.

Ticket prices are P1,000, P500 and P300 and are available in the parishes in Cebu.

Ticket sales will help fund the 51st IEC next year. JKV