a.

) Background Information

The St. Bartholomew Parish or locally known as “Parokya ni San Bartolome Apostol” is located at San
Leonardo, Nueva Ecija. Catholicism was first brought into the municipality by the Augustinians from
Gapan, Nueva Ecija. In 1896, the city of San Leonardo, formerly known as Manikling, became
independent from being a site of Gapan. During the same year, the parish of St. Bartholomew was also
established by the consensus of the catholic leaders. In the early years, due to the lack of priest in the
area, there was no assigned parish priest to govern the site. People would only come to pray the rosary
and during festivals. A priest from Gapan, Rebrendo Padre Francisco Arriola, OSA, was very considerate
and passionate. He didn’t mind the distance that it would take to travel to San Leonardo; he would still
come to the parish to conduct masses.

The parish was built with “damara na may atip na kugon” which is not very sustainable but due to
the help of catholic leaders, such as Paulino Fajardo, and the devoted residents, who got the resources
from the mountains, the parish was successful maintained

The church emphasizes the importance of our relationship with God. The goals of the parish are
influenced by integral formation, evangelization, stewardship, consistency, family, youth, ecology and
collaboration. As children and respondents of God, we are called to be in service of the community,
promulgate unity and peace and spread the word of the Lord. We are to be good in all times and protect
life.

Organizations in the parish church

In the parish, there is a worship committee called Lupon ng Pagsamba. They are on of the most
organized organizations in the parish. They are the ones who start and encourage people to a much
more meaningful celebration of the sacraments. They are also responsible for upholding the laws
that are established by the leader of the worship committee of the diocese so events in the parish
can become successful and meaningful.

According to the priest, a number of organizations are also present in the parish. To name a few,
Sodality of Mary, Duaghters of Mary Immaculate, Mother Butler Mission Guilds, knights of
Columbus, and Apostolado ng Panalangin. Acoording to father, the ministires in the parish are
Ministry of the Altar Servers, Commentators and Lecters, Choir, Ushers and Usherettes etc.

b.) Their challenges revolve around financial issues. The parish, although not lacking in funds, finds it
difficult to tackle their problems such as the maintenance of the parish and successfully
conducting an event because funds are insufficient
c.) The parish conducts a Pastoral Care for the sick where in their beneficiaries, the ill people, are
accompanied by the priest and journey with them. They pray for them in hopes they get better