Parish of the Holy Sacrifice Installs New Parish Priest
by: Carlo S. Dureza
During the renewal of priestly ordination vows, Bishop Ongtioco admonished Fr. Bong to shepherd the flock of the PHS in the proliferation of the faith. In his sermon, the bishop also asked the church-goers in attendance to forgive the past shepherds who may not have completely fulfilled their expectations as they are only humans with shortcomings. He reminded the faithful to lend their utmost support to their parish priests as they will always do the very best in addressing their spiritual needs.
Highlighting the installation ceremony was the symbolic turn-over of three important church fixtures to the new parish priest as sign of authority and leadership: the baptismal font which stands for his role in ushering new Christians to a life of freedom and holiness in Christ; the confessional box which represents his conciliatory role in bringing back sinners to the Lord’s sheepfold through forgiveness by the Sacrament of Penance; and the tabernacle which signifies the salvation of God’s people through the celebration of the Holy Eucharist.
In his acceptance speech, Fr. Bong openly admitted that at one time, he strongly felt drawn to the Parish of the Holy Sacrifice. He intimated that during his ordination, an alumna of UP and concurrent chaplain of UPSCA, approached him and narrated how their members were touched by the Jesuit priest Fr. John Delaney, SJ. He was the Jesuit priest who pioneered the construction of the famed circular-structured church. According to her, Fr. Delaney influenced their faith and life. Fr. Bong then discovered that Fr. Delaney was intelligent and practical, prayerful and generous, kind and simple. Hence Fr. Bong’s penchant for the PHS.
Fr. Bong Tupino traces his steps towards priesthood when he first entered Our Lady of Guadalupe Minor Seminary when he was in high school. He then graduated from college in San Carlos Seminary and then proceeded to take up masters’ degree units in Social Development in Ateneo De Manila University. He obtained his masters’ degree in Pastoral Ministry from the Loyola School of Theology.
He was ordained to the priesthood on March 27, 1993. After which, he first worked as Assistant Parish Priest in the Parish of the Lord of Divine Mercy, Sikatuna Village, QC. Then he first became parish priest in Our Lady of Peace in Sucat, Paranaque. In the past years, he also became parish priest in San Isidro Labrador Parish, Tandang Sora, Parish of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary, Our Lady of Pentecost Parish and his most recent parish was Christ the King Parish in Green Meadows.
Fr. Tupino is an Ilonggo, his parents having come from the towns of Tigbauan and San Joaquin in the province of Iloilo. He is the 5th child in a family of ten children. He is the 9th parish priest of the Parish of the Holy Sacrifice.
