Capiz archbishop in US for Pinoy Saint's feast
ROXAS CITY – Capiz Archbishop Onesimo C. Gordoncillo, D.D. is now in the United States to be the principal celebrant of the solemn feast day mass of San Lorenzo Ruiz on September 28 at Saint Patrick's Cathedral in New York City.
The Capiz top priest has accepted the invitation from Reverend Father Erno B. Diaz, Director of the Chapel of San Lorenzo Ruiz in New York City and Coordinator of the Archdiocese of New York.
Fr. Diaz, a Capiceño from Maayon town, said the San Lorenzo feast day mass is an annual Filipino mass in the cathedral.
He said Capiceños from the tri-state of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut have been tapped to welcome Msgr. Gordoncillo and attend the mass.
Also, the Aklanons and Boholanons of the tri-state were also mobilized for the upcoming occasion. The archbishop had served for many years in the archdiocese of Tagbilaran City in Bohol.
Past celebrants at St. Patrick's Cathedral included Cardinals Jaime Sin (1984)and Gaudencio Rosales (2006) and Bishop Gabriel Reyes (2007).
Meanwhile, the Chapel of San Lorenzo Ruiz in New York is a church in Lower Manhattan designated by Cardinal Edward Egan for Filipino community. It is attached to the Philippine Pastoral Center of the Filipino Apostolate of the Archdiocese of New York.
Philippine Episcopal Commission on Migration Chairman and Bishop Precioso Cantillas blessed the chapel in 2005. The activity was graced by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. (PIA/AAL/Benny P. Cortes)