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A Chapel for the Poor
“Poverty calls us to sow hope”– these were the words of the late Pope Francis, whose papacy was defined by an unwavering commitment to the poor and marginalised.
In 2013, the same year that Pope Francis was inaugurated and chose the papal name Francis, the mission began to take shape through a simple but meaningful project: building a small chapel in the remote farming village of Turod. This humble place of worship became known as the St Francis Chapel.
It began with a prayer. Brother Francis and Maricel prayed together in the small Stella Maris Chapel, carrying with them a simple wish—that one day, a chapel could be built for the people of Turod.
There was no money to begin with and no clear way of knowing how it would happen. But they held firmly to their faith, believing that the help would come.
And, little by little, it did.
Planning for the chapel began during the first quarter of 2013. Through the generosity of Maricel and a few others who believed in and supported the initiative, construction commenced in the second quarter of the year. What had begun simply as a prayer and a hope slowly became a reality.
By December, the St Francis Chapel was complete. On 31 December 2013, its first Mass was celebrated, marking the chapel’s inauguration and opening to the community. The little chapel was filled to capacity, with villagers coming together to celebrate a moment that only months earlier had seemed like a distant hope.
For the people of Turod, the chapel meant much more than a building. Attending Mass had long been an important source of strength and hope, particularly through difficult times such as the drought season and typhoons. Before the chapel was built, villagers would walk 40 minutes to an hour to reach the nearest church simply to celebrate Mass.
Since the establishment of the St Francis Chapel, its story has become closely intertwined with the growth and development of the community. What was once a quiet little farming village has grown into a vibrant community of faith, recognised within the Archdiocese as one of its most active Catholic communities.
Over the years, the chapel has become much more than a place to attend Mass. It has hosted community and faith events, supported programs for young people, children, couples and families, celebrated marriages and important milestones, and created opportunities for people to come together.
Today, the St Francis Chapel remains at the heart of the community—a place of worship, prayer, celebration and belonging. What began as a simple hope to bring the Church closer to the people has helped strengthen not only their faith, but the bonds of the community itself.
