Parish publishes Squala, a handbook for parishioners
By Myrna Bermudo
Fr. Ruben B. Temporal, parish priest of St. Joseph Parish in Tamban, Tinambac, Camarines Sur, releases the Official Handbook for the parishioners entitled Squala, a hardbound book that aims to guide each family in their spiritual life.
The book is entitled Squala, an L-shaped ruler used in carpentry, in reference to the patron saint, St. Joseph. The handbook contains basic prayers, prayers for all occasions, family prayers, prayers of workers in different occupations such as fisherfolks and farmers and novena to all the patron saints of all barangays under the care of the parish.
Squala also includes the history, mission – vision of the parish, constitution and by-laws and a compilation of all the liturgical practices in the parish.
For Fr. Temporal, the book will serve as a practical guide for each family in their prayer and liturgical life and ultimately, their Christian life.
“For Sadit na Kristianong Komunidad (SKK), the handbook will be a handy guide in the regular Bible prayer meetings of the clusters. The Squala will lead them how to pray the Rosary and sequence and what to do during Bible prayer meetings,” Fr. Temporal said.
For Mrs. Marisa Apusaga, Parish Pastoral Council Chairperson, Squala is important for her family and fellow parishioners because “We can read the history of the parish, the mission-vision, the life of our patron saints in the barangay chapels and also the novenas to our saints. This will assist in the education of faith for each family and can be handed down to the next generation.”
Saint Joseph Parish takes care of the spiritual life of eight barangays and seven sitios. Most of the barangays and sitios are located in the islands and mountainous areas of Tinambac and Lagonoy.
Fr. Temporal sees to it that he visits each community for regular liturgical assembly to make them feel the presence of God especially in troubled times. He says the visits would mean long walks along mountain ranges and at times, stormy travels in the rough seas of the Pacific.
Right after the strong typhoons which visited Bikol in 2020, he solicited funds so the parish can assist those most affected. “Seeing their condition, my heart melted,” shares the parish priest.
Fr. Temporal attributes the inspiration of the Squala to God. He believes that God inspired and helped him.
In the Year of St. Joseph, Fr. Temporal dedicates the Squala handbook to St. Joseph, the patron saint. He prays that St. Joseph takes care of each family, just as he took care of his family in Nazareth.
The handbook was launched on May 19, 2021, the feast day of St. Joseph. On the same day, a Eucharistic Celebration with the Opening of the Jubilee Door was presided by His Grace, Most Rev. Rolando J. Tria Tirona, OCD, DD, Archbishop of Caceres. The parish church is among the jubilee churches designated by the Archdiocese of Caceres in the Year of St. Joseph.