Church

OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL
Parish Church

 

The Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish (OLMCP) in Don Andres Soriano (Lutopan), Toledo City celebrates its 49th anniversary today.

The celebration began with a nine-day novena Masses and nightly programs that showcased the talents and skills of the Lutopanons.

?The Our Lady of Mt. Carmel parish is unique from the other parishes,? said Msgr. Gerardo Jumao-as, former parish priest.

Unlike any other parish, Msgr. Jumao-as said the OLMCP was established in 1959 for the Atlas Consolidated Mining and Development Corporation. The church that used to be a chapel provided the religious needs of the Atlas community.

Rev. Fr. Epifanio Codilla was the first chaplain of OLMCP. Five years later, Msgr. Jumao-as took over as chaplain.

?It was during the time of Fr. Mike that the church was recognized as a parish,? Jumao-as said. Fr. Michael ?Mike? Hisoler requested the Chancery (court of records and archives) to have Aug. 30, 1959 as OLMCP?s founding date.

Parish clerk Medarde Basalo said the parish has not changed in terms of structure, facilities, services and activities until Fr. Mike came in 1997.

Through solicitations and fund-raising activities, Fr. Mike was able to renovate the church?s facilities such as the convent, Msgr. Gerry Jumao-as formation center, Marian Heart cooperative store, prayer room, Fr. Epifanio Codilla retreat house and even a Catholic cemetery.

Fr. Mike also provided monthly confession to the pupils and students of the four schools in the parish, monthly masses in the different Basic Ecclesial Communities (BECs), Life in the Spirit seminars and home retreat programs.

Fr. Mike also implemented income-generating projects in all BECs where the parishioners learned to make tocino, longganisa, candle, coffin, chalk and other products.

In addition, Fr. Mike offered free Mass weddings in all BECs and free clinics.

The Lutopanons unanimously said that the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel played a significant role in their lives.

They attributed to the Virgin the re-opening and rehabilitation of Atlas Mining (now Carmen Copper Corp.) after ten years of closure and the fate of a 40-year old mother, who, after several years of marriage and serving the parish, finally gave birth to a child.