Roman Catholic Diocese of Parañaque

Diocese of Parañaque Dioecesis Paranaquensis Diyosesis ng Parañaque Diócesis de Parañaque
Saint Andrew's Cathedral
Coat of arms
Location
Country	Philippines
Territory	Parañaque Las Piñas Muntinlupa
Ecclesiastical province	Manila
Headquarters	8 Villonco Road, West Service Road Sucat, Muntinlupa 1770
Coordinates	14.4488371°N 121.0405263°E / 14.4488371; 121.0405263
Statistics
Area	126 km2 (49 sq mi)
Population - Total - Catholics	(as of 2013 (2013)) 2,534,321 2,234,786 (94%)
Parishes	50 (4 diocesan shrines, 3 national shrines)
Churches	58
Congregations	18
Schools	12
Information
Denomination	Catholic
Sui iuris church	Latin Church
Rite	Roman Rite
Established	December 7, 2002 (2002-12-07)
Cathedral	Saint Andrew's Parish
Patron saint	Andrew the Apostle Nuestra Señora del Buen Suceso
Current leadership
Pope	Francis
Bishop	Most Rev. Jesse E. Mercado, DD STL
Metropolitan Archbishop	Luis Antonio Tagle, DD STD
Vicar General	Very Rev. Msgr. Allen C. Aganon, PC, VG

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Parañaque (Latin: Dioecesis Paranaquensis; Filipino: Diyosesis ng Parañaque; Spanish: Diócesis de Parañaque) is a diocese of the Latin rite of the Roman Catholic Church in Metro Manila, Philippines which encompasses the cities of Parañaque, Las Piñas, and Muntinlupa. Previously belonging to the Archdiocese of Manila, the Ecclesiastical District of Parañaque (formerly, PPLM) was declared an independent diocese on December 7, 2002 by Pope John Paul II by virtue of the Papal Bill Ad Efficacius. The district bishop, Most Rev. Jesse Eugenio Mercado, D.D., also one of the auxiliary bishops of Manila, was designated as its first bishop and was formally installed on January 28, 2003.

The diocese comprises 50 full-fledged parishes (4 of which are pronounced diocesan shrines, 3 of which are national shrines), 2 quasi-parishes, and 1 non-parochial shrine. The Diocesan Shrine of Nuestra Señora del Buen Suceso - Saint Andrew Cathedral-Parish in La Huerta, Parañaque serves as the episcopal see of the diocese.

Statistics

As of 2007, the diocese has 2,234,786 Roman Catholics out of a total population of 2.53 million.

Diocesan Seal

The miter symbolizes the pastoral authority of the bishop, which he exercises within the three cities: Parañaque (an "M" in a crown); Las Piñas (the Bamboo Organ); and Muntinlupa (the mountains over water), comprising the Diocese of Parañaque.

Bishop's Coat of Arms

• The Cross – The cross is traditionally an element in most episcopal coats of arms. The Episcopal ministry is always Jesus' ministry and the bishop is only a servant of Jesus, collaborating in His ministry.
• The Staff with lilies – The staff is traditionally the symbol of the pastoral authority of the bishop. The lilies denote St. Joseph, patron of the seminary from which the bishop had had his formation (San Jose Seminary, Quezon City). The bishop envisions his pastoral role as patterned after St. Joseph himself, who acted in a fatherly manner to Jesus, who was entrusted to him and Mary by the heavenly Father.
• The Crown with an "M" – Mary is hailed as Queen in Heaven. But she exercises her queenship as a mother to her children entrusted to her by God. Moreover, Mary is the patroness of Parañaque, venerated under the title Nuestra Señora del Buen Suceso, the first city of the diocese.
• The Bamboo Organ – The Bamboo Organ is an internationally acclaimed musical instrument currently housed in the Parish of St. Joseph. This symbolizes the second city under the bishop's pastoral administration – the city of Las Piñas.
• The small mountain near a body of water – This is the symbol of the third city under the pastoral care of the bishop, namely, Muntinlupa City.
• The Motto – "CONFIRMA FRATRES TUOS" – Taken from the gospel of Luke 22:32 wherein Jesus expressed his hope that after Peter's denial and subsequent conversion, he is commanded to strengthen his brethren (strengthen your brethren).
• The color schemes – Green refers us to St. Joseph whose fatherly care to the Holy Family earned him the title patron of the Universal Church. The blue field on the other hand, refers us to Mary, who, given to the care of Joseph, conceived the child Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit (red shade). The movement from dark to bright as seen in the area of Muntinlupa is the hope that through the bishop's humble ministry, the "dawn from on high (Jesus Christ) will come upon us all" in the diocese.

Bishop of Parañaque

Most Rev. Jesse E. Mercado, D.D., Bishop of Parañaque was born on June 6, 1951 in Caloocan City. He spent his seminary years at San Jose Seminary within Ateneo de Manila University complex from 1968 to 1977. He was ordained priest of the Archdiocese of Manila on March 19, 1977. During his presbyteral ministry, he served as on-loan formator in San Pablo Seminary (Baguio City, 1977–1979), formator at San Carlos Seminary (1979–1981, 1985–1988), Rector of the Holy Apostles Senior Seminary (1988–1994), and Rector of the Pontificio Collegio Filippino (Rome, 1994–1997). He was named auxiliary bishop of Manila by Pope John Paul II as was ordained on March 31, 1997 by Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin. He served as District Bishop of the Ecclesiastical District of PPLM (Parañaque, Pasay, Las Piñas and Muntinlupa, later renamed as the Ecclesiastical District of Parañaque). With the proclamation of the district as an independent diocese on December 7, 2002, he was designated to be its first bishop and was installed on January 28, 2003.

Vicariates and Parishes

Below is the list of 52 parishes, 1 non-parochial shrine and 1 Oratory in the diocese, clustered into six vicariates (as of December 2018 - arranged from north to south).

Vicariate of Santa Rita de Cascia

Parish / Church	Year Founded	Address	Patron	Feastday
Diocesan Shrine of Nuestra Señora del Buen Suceso - Saint Andrew Cathedral-Parish	1683	448 Quirino Avenue, La Huerta, Parañaque	St. Andrew the Apostle and Nuestra Senora del Buensuceso (Our Lady of the Good Event	November 30 - St. Andrew and August 10 - Buensuceso
Mary, Queen of Apostles Parish	1985	San Miguel Street, San Antonio Valley 6, San Isidro, Parañaque	Mary, Queen of Apostles	3rd Sunday of May
Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Parish	1979	Rogationist Street, Multinational Village, Barangay Moonwalk, Parañaque	Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary	1st Sunday of May and October 7 (needs confirmation)
Saint Joseph Parish - Tambo	1969	223 Quirino Avenue, Tambo, Parañaque	St. Joseph	May 1
Santa Rita de Cascia Parish	1906	Quirino Avenue, Baclaran, Parañaque	Santa Rita de Cascia	May 22
Sto. Niño de Parañaque Parish	1995	8542 Col. E.L. de Leon Street, Santo Niño, Parañaque	Sto. Niño de Parañaque	3rd Sunday of January

Non Parochial Church in the Vicariate of Santa Rita de Cascia

Church	Jurisdiction	Year Founded	Address	Patron	Feastday
National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help	Santa Rita de Cascia Parish - Administered by: Congregatio Sanctissimi Redemptoris; CSsR (Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer)	1869	Redemptorist Road, Baclaran, Parañaque	Our Mother of Perpetual Help	June 27

Vicariate of Saint Martin de Porres

Parish	Year Founded	Address	Patron	Feastday
Holy Eucharist Parish	1984	Armstrong Avenue, Moonwalk Village, Parañaque	Our Lord Jesus Christ the Holy Eucharist	Corpus Christi Sunday (2nd Sunday after Pentecost
San Agustin Parish	1996	E. Rodriguez Avenue, Barrio San Agustin, Barangay Moonwalk, Parañaque	St. Augustine of Hippo	August 27
Holy Infant Jesus Parish	1991	Roxas corner Aguinaldo Streets, South Admiral Village, Barangay Merville, Parañaque	Infant Jesus	-
Mary Immaculate Parish	2010	Don Lauro Avenue, Levitown Estate, Better Living Subdivision, Barangay Don Bosco, Parañaque	The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary	December 8
National Shrine and Parish of Mary, Help of Christians	1975	Better Living Subdivision, Barangay Don Bosco, Parañaque	Primary: Mary, Help of Christians Secondary: St. John Bosco	May 24 - Mary Help of Christians January 31 - St. John Bosco
Our Lady of Beautiful Love Parish	1969	80 Washington Street, Merville Park Subdivision, Parañaque	Our Lady of Beautiful Love	-
Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Parish	1980	4098 Bougainville Road, Sun Valley Subdivision, Parañaque	Primary: Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Secondary: St. Paul of the Cross	October 7 - Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary October 19 - St. Paul of the Cross
Saint Martin de Porres Parish	1967	2222 Narra Street, United Hills Village, UPS1, San Martin de Porres, Parañaque	St. Martin de Porres	November 3

Vicariate of San Antonio de Padua

Church / Parish	Year Founded	Address	Patron	Feastday
Ascension of Our Lord Parish	1993	Rainbow Drive, Goodwill 2 Subdivision, Barangay BF Homes, Parañaque	The Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ	Ascension Sunday (7th Sunday of Easter)
Jesus, the Divine Healer Parish	1989	12 Lily Street, Tahanan Village, Barangay BF Homes, Parañaque	Jesus, the Divine Healer	-
Mary, Mother of Good Counsel Parish	1979	Peach Street, Marcelo Green Village, Parañaque	Mary, Mother of Good Counsel	-
Our Lady of Grace Parish	1983	Doña Irenea Avenue, Ireneville 1 Subdivision, Barangay BF Homes, Parañaque	Our Lady of Grace	-
Our Lady of Peace Parish	1989	Press Drive corner Headline Street, Fourth Estate, Barangay San Antonio, Parañaque	Our Lady of Peace	-
Our Lady of Unity Parish	1989	9th Street, UPS-V, San Isidro, Parañaque	Our Lady of Unity	-
Presentation of the Child Jesus Parish	1982	34 Aguirre Avenue corner F. Cruz Street, Phase 3, B.F. Homes, Parañaque	The Presentation of the Child Jesus and Our Lady of Candles	February 2
Resurrection of Our Lord Parish	1972	J. Cabarrus corner Elsie Gatches Street, Phase 1, B.F. Homes, Parañaque	The Resurrection of Our Lord	Easter Sunday of the Lord's Resurrection
Saint Pius of Pietrelcina Parish (Padre Pio Church)	2012	Garnet Street, Severina Diamond Subdivision, Km 18, West Service Road, Barangay Marcelo Green, Parañaque	Saint Pius of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio)	September 23
San Antonio de Padua Parish	1970	139 San Antonio Avenue, San Antonio Valley I, Parañaque	St. Anthony of Padua	June 13

Vicariate of Saint Joseph

Parish / Church	Year Founded	Address	Patron	Feastday
Saint Joseph Parish (Bamboo Organ Church)	1795	Padre Diego Cerra Avenue, Daniel Fajardo, Las Piñas	Principal: St. Joseph Secondary: Nuestra Señora La Consolacion y Correa	1st Sunday of May - St. Joseph and 1st Saturday of September - La Consolacion
Our Lady of Fatima Parish	1976	Fatima Avenue, Philamlife Village, Pamplona Dos, Las Piñas	Our Lady of Fatima	October 13
Christ the King Parish	1979	E. Trinidad Street, San Isidro Subdivision, Pamplona Uno, Las Piñas	Christ, the King of the Universe	Last Sunday or 34th Sunday of Ordinary Time
Good Shepherd Parish	1986	Sanggumay Street, Doña Manuela Subdivision, Pamplona Tres, Las Piñas	Christ, the Good Shepherd	4th Sunday of Easter
Last Supper of Our Lord Parish	1986	Manila Times Village, Pamplona Tres, Las Piñas	Christ of the Last Supper	Corpus Christi Sunday (2nd Sunday after Pentecost)
Immaculate Conception Parish	1996	Marquez Street corner Chapel Road, Gatchalian Subdivision, Manuyo Dos, Las Piñas	The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary	December 8
Saint Joseph the Worker Parish	1997	Mariposa Avenue, BF Mariposa Subdivision, Talon III, Las Piñas	Saint Joseph the Worker	May 1

Non Parochial Church in the Vicariate of St. Joseph

Church	Jurisdiction	Year Founded	Address	Patron	Feastday
San Ezekiel Moreno Oratory	Administered by: St. Joseph Parish - Bamboo Organ	2013	Villar SIPAG Center, Pulang Lupa Uno, Las Piñas City	St. Ezekiel Moreno	August 19

Vicariate of the Holy Family

• Diocesan Shrine and Parish of the Five Wounds of Our Lord (F-1985), Alabang-Zapote Road, Talon IV, Las Piñas
• Holy Family Parish (F-1970) Dulce Street corner CRM Avenue, BF Homes, Almanza Dos, Las Piñas
• Madonna del Divino Amore Quasi-Parish (Notre Dame de Vie) (F-2010), Ayala Southvale Drive, Almanza Dos, Las Piñas
• Mary Immaculate Parish (Nature Church / Focolare Parish) (F-1979), Apollo III Street, Moonwalk Village, Talon V, Las Piñas
• Mary, Mother of the Church Parish (F-1979), Capitoline Hill Street, Vista Grande, BF Resort Village, Talon II, Las Piñas
• Our Lady of the Pillar Parish (F-1986), Mercury Road, Pilar Village, Las Piñas
• San Isidro Labrador Parish (F-1999), Zodiac Avenue, Veraville Homes, Almanza Uno, Las Piñas
• Santo Cristo Parish (F-1995), General Lim Street, Soldiers Hills 2 Subdivision, Almanza Uno, Las Piñas

Vicariate of Our Lady of the Abandoned

• Archdiocesan Shrine and Parish of Our Lady of the Abandoned (F-1863), National Road, Poblacion, Muntinlupa
• Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Saint Peregrine Laziosi (F-1985), National Road, Tunasan, Muntinlupa
• Ina ng Awa Parish (F-1994), NBC, NBP Reservation, Poblacion, Muntinlupa
• L'Anunziata Parish (F-1984), Don Pedro Reyes Avenue, Victoria Homes Subdivision, Tunasan, Muntinlupa
• Mary, Cause of Our Joy Parish (F-1982), P. Manosca Street, Soldiers Hills Village, Putatan, Muntinlupa
• Mary, Mother of God Parish (F-1980), National Road, Bayanan, Muntinlupa
• National Shrine and Parish of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal (F-1981), J. Posadas Avenue, Posadas Village, Sucat, Muntinlupa
• Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish (F-2012), Don Jesus Boulevard, Alabang Hills Village, Cupang, Muntinlupa
• Saint James the Great Parish (F-1990), Cuenca corner Ibaan Streets, Ayala Alabang, Muntinlupa
• Saints Jerome Emiliani and Susana Parish (F-1982), Commerce Avenue, New Alabang Village, Muntinlupa
• San Nicolas de Tolentino Parish (F-1987), M.L. Quezon Street, Cupang, Muntinlupa
• San Pedro Calungsod Quasi-Parish (F-2012), Southville 3, New Bilibid, Poblacion, Muntinlupa
• San Roque de Alabang Parish (F-1970), T. Molina corner Mendiola Streets, Alabang, Muntinlupa

References

• The Official Website of the Diocese of Parañaque

Notes