STO. NIÑO DE CEBU - MACTAN PARISH

The Sto. Nino Parish Mactan started merely as a district of its mother parish - The Virgen dela Regla Parish (VDR). On August 15, 1996, through a petition, Fr. Mercurio "Cur" Montenegro, MSC, the parish priest of VDR that time, together with the lay leaders of Mactan District earnestly requested the Archbishop of Cebu, Ricardo Cardinal Vidal to transform the district into a parish. Thus, on August 26, 1996, the Cardinal signed the Episcopal Decree finally making the Mactan District a parish. The decree likewise defined its boundaries comprising the barangays of Mactan, Bankal, Buaya and Punta Enga񯮠 It was named Sto. Ni񯠤e Cebu Parish as its Titular and Our Mother of Perpetual Help as its secondary patroness.
The parish celebrated its 11th Foundation Anniversary last August 26, 2007. It has become a home for several MSC priests, brothers and religious serving as shepherds who have greatly contributed to the spiritual growth of its parishioners.
On September 8, 1996, Fr. Wim Noordermeer was installed as the first Parish Priest. Sadly, shortly after four months service as parish priest, he joined our Creator. Fr. Efren Fajardo, MSC, who was then his co-pastor, succeeded as the Parish Administrator. In his stint, Fr. Efren introduced the Parish Renewal Experience (PREX) Program with the aim of molding the spiritual formation and strengthening the Christian community.
The following year, on June 1997, Fr. Sabino "Ben", Roquero, MSC was installed second Parish Priest. He concentrated on the continuous construction of the church and facilitated various fund raising campaigns such as Dinner-For-A-Cause and the Islas Mactanos Cultural Show, as among others.
In 2001, emphasis was more on the organization of the parish music ministry. With great help from Fr. Ricky Bermudez, MSC, Parochial Vicar assigned in Mactan, who has a knack for music, he organized the Parish Composite Choir, which was later renamed Sto. Nino de Mactan Parish Music Ministry.
On July 1, 2002, Fr. Agustin P. Polong, MSC, became the third Parish Priest. Some of the programs and directions he introduced were the additional schedule of Holy Mass, introduction to the Holy Hour and devotion to the Sacred Heart. He also empowered the organization of the Parish Youth Coordinating Council (PYCC), the participation of the young girls in altar services and the implementation of Basic Ecclesial Community (BEC) being the thrust of the Archdiocese.
With the parish being a recipient of an award from the Archdiocese of Cebu as one of the Ten Outstanding Parishes in Catechetical Activities, they wish to cope with the challenge of manifesting its commitment to evangelization. In fact, in July 2005, the parish sought the support of Philippine Catholic Lay Mission (PCLM) for the implementation of the BEC Program of the Archdiocese.
As a growing Christian community, with an expanding base of thirty-five (35) recognized chapels and various committed mandated organizations, the parish is as a testament of the loving care of the Holy Infant Jesus and infinite proof of the generosity, love, teamwork and devotion of God’s people.