On the first day of the Novena in preparation for the Feast of Sto. Tomas de Villanueva, the faithful of Pardo gathered for the Pontifical Mass presided over by outgoing Cebu Archbishop Jose S. Palma.
Together with him were Bishop-Emeritus Antonio Rañola, Fr. Eligio Suico (Team Moderator), the Parish’s team of pastors, and other visiting priests.
In his homily, Archbishop Palma reflected on two themes: the Exaltation of the Cross, and the life of the parish’s patron, Sto. Tomas de Villanueva, who served as Archbishop of Valencia in Spain from 1544 to 1555.
He first led the faithful into a reflection on the triumph of the Cross—once a symbol of shame, now a sign of redemption.
“Si Jesus nga gilansangan sa Krus walay sala, pero gidawat Niya sa dakong gugma ug gihalad natong tanan… Angay lamang nga maghimaya kita sa Diyos, magpasalamat kita sa Diyos tungod kay pinaagi sa Iyang Krus, gidala Niya alang natong tanan ang kaluwasan,” the outgoing Archbishop said.
He then recalled the life of Sto. Tomas de Villanueva—devoted to preaching, serving the poor, and establishing schools for the less fortunate—and urged the faithful to remain steadfast in hope, inspired by the saint’s example.
He concluded his homily by reminding the faithful of their mission in making the Church truly alive through their witness of faith, hope, and love.
“Sa panaw sa pagtuo, kining dako nga Simbahan mahimo nga tinuod nga simbolo sa buhi nga Simbahan, way lain kitang tanan, nga ang katahum sa atong pagtuo, diha sa atong paglaom, ug diha sa atong gugma.”