Sta. Rosa, Sarrat Parish History

ST. ROSE OF LIMA PARISH
Founded: 1999
Patronal Fiesta: August 23


Sta Rosa is a district of the municipality of Sarrat, comprising Barangays San Lorenzo, San Nicolas and Sta. Rosa, a barangay named like the district. The present church of this parish is situated at Barangay San Nicolas along the road going to eastern Ilocos Norte. The name of the barangay confused mailmen to the name of the municipality adjacent to its immediate west. Aside from assuring that their letters would reach their residences, the people opted to change its name into San Miguel, to perpetuate their affinity to the mother parish, which was first named after the archangel.

St. Rose of Lima Parish of Sarrat, Ilocos Norte is the youngest parish in the Diocese of Laoag. It comprises the 13 barangays south of the Padsan River. For centuries, the area was under the mother parish of Sta. Monica established in 1724 by the Augustinian missionaries. Its history therefore is concomitant to its mother parish. The great river Padsan divides the town of Sarrat; the town proper being located in the northern part. The Augustinians would simply go to the southern portion of the town through bangka. In the dry season, barangay folks as far as Pandan used to go for Church services through their karison. With the advent of modern means of transportation, going for mission to the south became a burden for pastors passing through Laoag and San Nicolas.

The earlier priests who have served in Sta. Monica have done their part in the evangelization of the people in the baliw (the other side) or abagatan ti karayan (south of the river). The late Rev. Rosario Lopez built the first chapel made of galvanized iron. This chapel was located in Sitio Tibunay. Later after seeing the growth of the population and their need for a bigger place to worship, Fr. Lopez built a bigger chapel in a piece of land given to the church in Brgy. San Nicolas. The late Rev. Gil Albano, Jr. made improvements of the sanctuary of the second chapel.

In 1993, Rev. Jacinto Jose became the pastor of Sarrat. He initiated programs such as the work of the lay missionaries in forming BEC’s (NASA). The Christian Education Program in the schools, and through the help of the seminary fathers, the community of this district had Holy Week celebrations. Chapels of concrete and good materials were also built for the communities in Patad, San Antonio, Pariir and Parang. Eventually, due to the growing faith of the people and their generosity, the old chapel in Sta. Rosa was replaced with a more spacious and sturdier building. On December 28, 1997, Bishop Edmundo Abaya blessed and inaugurated the new house of prayer. Meanwhile, in Sta. Monica, Rev. Leobardo Lorenzo was assigned parochial vicar.

On September 5, 1999, the new parish of Sta Rosa de lima was created. This new parish includes all the barangays south of the Padsan River. Rev. Leobardo Lorenzo was appointed first pastor of the new parish. Fr. Bardz turned the choir loft into a residence (convento), procured the things needed for the parish office and for liturgical celebrations. He organized the parish pastoral council and the parish finance council and the barangay pastoral coordinators.

Rev. Pitz Acoba, who replaced Rev. Bardz as pastor, intensified the work of BEC formation in the parish.

Rev. Anthony Dimagiba is the present pastor.