BIRD'S EYE VIEW: ARCHDIOCESE OF ZAMBOANGA PARISHES AND SCHOOLS CIRCA 2005

ARCHDIOCESE OF ZAMBOANGA
(copied from http://www.zamboangaarchdiocese.com/about.php)

(Archidiocesis Zamboangensis)

Created Diocese: April 10, 1910. Elevated to Archdiocese: May 19, 1958. Comprises the City of Zamboanga. Suffragans: the Prelatures of Ipil and Isabela, Basilan and the Apostolic Vicariate of Jolo. Titular: Our Lady of Pillar: Secondary Patron: St. Pius X, Pope.

Stained Glass of the Lady of the Pillar in Centro Pastoral, Archdiocese of Zamboanga

From 1607 to 1910 the entire island of Mindanao was under the Diocese of Cebu andJaro. On April 10, 1910, Pope Pius X created the Diocese of Zamboanga and gave it jurisdiction over the whole island of Mindanao, including the adjacent islands of the SuluArchipelago and the island of Cagayan de Sulu.

Zamboanga was raised to an archdiocese on May 15, 1958 by Pope Pius XII. As an ecclesiastical province, the Archdiocese of Zamboanga now comprises the City of Zamboanga and part of the province of Zamboanga del Sur. As suffragans it has the Prelature of Ipil, also in Zamboanga del Sur, the Prelature of Isabela, Basilan, and the Apostolic Vicariate of Jolo. Its titular patroness is Our Lady of the Pillar, and its secondary patron is St. Pius X, Pope.

In the next set of photos, we can appreciate some parishes and schools of the Archdiocese of Zamboanga from the bird's eye view* circa 2005. The Archdiocese of Zamboanga presently holds office at the Archdiocesan Chancery and Plenary Hall, Centro Pastoral, Gov. Camins, Zamboanga City. The Archbishop at this time was Archbishop Carmelo D.F. Morelos.

from WikiPilipinas: http://en.wikipilipinas.org/index.php?title=Carmelo_D._F._Morelos

Archbishop Carmelo D. F. Morelos was born in Sorsogon, Sorsogon, Philippines. He had his sacerdotal ordination on April 3, 1954 in Sts. Peter & Paul Cathedral,Sorsogon. He was appointed bishop of Butuan, Philippines on April 4, 1967 and was ordained bishop of Butuan on July 5, 1967. He was appointed archbishop of Zamboanga on December 8, 1994 but retired as archbishop of Zamboanga on November 13, 2006.

Archdiocesan Chancery and Plenary Hall (Centro Pastoral)

Gov. Camins Avenue, Zamboanga City

The Centro Pastoral has a very large function hall on one side, which appears like a fan.

The huge grounds is also the venue of many gatherings of the Archdiocese and also extended to the community.

Just across the Centro Pastoral, we see the end of the runway of the Airport at the Edwin Andrews side. 

This is the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in La Purisima Street which was founded in 1816 and is the seat of the Archdiocese of Zamboanga. Feast day is held every December 8.

Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Zamboanga City

I remember the old wooden Cathedral which was gradually eaten by the termites and which prodded the building of the new Cathedral.  My son and I used to sit down while watching the demolition of the old church and he would say, "Sira Church" or may be translated as "Broken Cathedral"! He was amazed by cranes and heavy equipment and that's why we watched the old cathedral go.

the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception 

is between the Ateneo De Zamboanga University and Mindpro Mall

The new Cathedral is a two-storey building and has the form of the Cross in the aerial view.

The Parish of St. Joseph, the Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary is just a few meters away from the Cathedral and was then, the Personal Parish of the Chinese Community, after which became the Filipino-Chinese Parish.This parish is located in Nunez Street and was founded in 1954. Feast is on March 19.

Saint Joseph Chinese Community Parish, Nuñez St., Zamboanga City (Founded: 1954)

The Shrine of the Lady of the Pillar at Fort Pilar is the home of Zamboanga's patroness.

Shrine of Our Lady of the Pillar, Fort Pilar

It is located outside one of the walls of the Fort. The Lady of the Pillar (Nuestra Señora Virgen Del Pilar) has devotees which cross religious barriers.

notice that at 2005, the whole area around the Fort Pilar was cleared from "informal settlers"...

Feast is on October 12 and is also a very important feast for the whole city of Zamboanga.

The whole area around the Fort Pilar was cleared from the so-called "informal settlers", and thus, the surroundings look so clean.

can you imagine how the area would look with 

the Paseo Del Mar and the Paseo Del Pilar there now?

A lot has happened since 2005 and there is now the development of the Paseo Del Mar and the Paseo Del Pilar which would definitely change the present aerial view.

St. Ignatius of Loyola Parish in Barangay Tetuan was founded in 1836. Feast is on July 31. The people from Tetuan are among the very gracious hosts who love to celebrate their St. Ignatius Fiesta.

St. Ignatius de Loyola, Tetuan, Zamboanga City (Founded: 1836)

back of the St. Ignatius Parish

Beside the parish is the Pastor Bonus Seminary from which has helped form many of our priests.

the seminary is beside the St. Ignatius Parish

Pastor Bonus Seminary  started in 1967 as an archdiocesan seminary established for the formation of young men who are responding the call to priesthood and offers pre-theology.

It is located along Fr. Ramon Barua, S.J. Street in Barangay Tetuan, adjacent to the St. Ignatius of Loyola Parish Church.

Divine Mercy Parish in Divisoria, Zamboanga City was founded in 2005, thus, this picture still shows the building of the parish in its new location. The primary patroness of the parish is Our Lady of Fatima and this was a former quasi-parish.

the Divine Mercy Parish was started in 2005, thus, still under construction at this time

Our Lady of the Ransom Parish in Mercedes was founded in 1891. The shape of the parish church from the aerial view is that of the dove, a symbol of peace. Feast is on September 24.

the dove-shaped parish in Mercedes, Zamboanga City

Close to the Our Lady of Ransom Parish is the Mercedes Retreat House, which has catered to a lot of retreats and recollections for the Archdiocese of Zamboanga.

the Mercedes Retreat House is atop the hill

officially called Nuestra Señora Virgen del Pilar Retreat and Lay Formation Center

The retreat house is officially called the Nuestra Señora Virgen del Pilar Retreat and Lay Formation Center.

Here are some of the educational centers affiliated with the Archdiocese of Zamboanga.

Ateneo De Zamboanga University is run by the Jesuits with the main campus at La Purisima Street just beside the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.

The Ateneo De Zamboanga University beside MCIC

The Immaculate Conception Elementary School, fondly called ICES, is located at M. Natividad St. in Tetuan and is close to the Jumbo Bridge.

Immaculate Conception Elementary School (ICES)

The Immaculate Conception Archdiocesan School de Tetuan is located across the St. Ignatius de Loyola Parish. This is called ICAS and is for high school and college courses.

Immaculate Conception Archdiocesan School (ICAS)

The opportunity for a non-professional photographer to capture the aerial view of some of Zamboanga City parishes and schools is very rare and thus, I felt that it was a great blessing and honor in itself to do this.

After six years (2011), lots have changed in the parishes and schools and in the areas around them, and I believe, mostly for the good. It would be wonderful to do these shots again...

* bird's eye view was via Chopper from Dacon thru Msgr. Cris Dela Cruz, who trusted me as the photographer. Msgr. Cris Dela Cruz is responsible for many of these projects, notably the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Our Lady of Ransom (Mercedes) Parish, Our Lady of Penafrancia Parish as well as his contributions to the different parishes and Archdiocesan schools during his term in the Archdiocese.