St. Isidore the Farmer Parish
Immaculate Conception Parish — Catanauan, Quezon, Philippines
A centuries-old community of faith rooted in the humble devotion of San Isidro Labrador and the Marian grace of the Immaculate Conception, serving the faithful of Catanauan and the Bondoc Peninsula with unwavering love, steadfast prayer, and enduring solidarity since the town’s founding in 1713.
A Sacred Heritage
of Faith and Service
Rooted in centuries of devotion, our parish stands as a living testament to the enduring faith of the people of Catanauan.
St. Isidore the Farmer Parish, also known as the Immaculate Conception Parish, is one of the most historic Catholic churches in the Bondoc Peninsula of Quezon Province. The town of Catanauan, formerly known as Nabatasan, was officially founded in 1713, and the very first chapel was erected around the same period using light materials such as wood, bamboo, and nipa palm, situated just outside the town proper along the coastal area where the miraculous image of the Blessed Virgin was discovered half-buried in the mud by a local fisherman.
According to parish oral tradition, the Blessed Virgin Mary herself appeared in the fisherman’s dreams that very night, asking him to build a chapel on the site where her image was found—the very ground upon which the present Catanauan Church now stands. Over the centuries, through the tireless labor of the faithful and the guidance of devoted parish priests, the church evolved from its humble origins into a stone edifice solemnly dedicated to the Inmaculada Concepción, or the Immaculate Conception, establishing the deep Marian devotion that continues to define the spiritual character of the parish to this day.
The parish today continues to serve as the spiritual home of generations of Catholic families in Catanauan and its surrounding barangays. As part of the Diocese of Gumaca, the church actively participates in the broader mission of the Catholic Church in Southern Luzon, celebrating the sacraments, nurturing the faith of its parishioners through catechetical programs and devotional activities, and preserving the rich cultural heritage that binds the community together across the centuries.
“The site where he built the chapel is where the present Catanauan Church stands, a testament to the Blessed Virgin’s enduring presence in this community for over three hundred years.”Parish Historical Account
Mission & Vision
Guided by the example of St. Isidore the Farmer and the maternal intercession of the Immaculate Conception, we strive to build a parish community rooted in prayer, service, and love for one another.
Our Mission
St. Isidore the Farmer Parish is dedicated to proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ through the faithful celebration of the sacraments, comprehensive faith formation, and active service to the community, following the humble example of our patron saint and under the protective mantle of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Immaculate Conception.
- To celebrate the liturgy with reverence and foster a deep prayer life among parishioners through daily Mass, novenas, and communal devotions
- To provide religious education and sacramental preparation for all ages, from children’s catechism to adult Bible study and marriage enrichment programs
- To reach out to the poor, the sick, and the marginalized with compassion through organized outreach ministries and charitable works
- To preserve and promote the rich cultural and spiritual heritage of Catanauan, including the Boling-Boling Festival, Marian processions, and centuries-old devotional traditions
Our Vision
A Christ-centered, Marian-devoted parish community of faithful, compassionate, and empowered Christians who live out the Gospel values in their daily lives, drawing strength from the Sacraments and the intercession of St. Isidore the Farmer and Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception.
- A parish where every family is a domestic church, nurturing faith from generation to generation through shared prayer and the example of Christian living
- A community that embodies the virtues of St. Isidore—humility, diligence, and charity—in every aspect of parish life, from the fields to the altar
- A vibrant, self-sustaining parish that actively serves the needs of the broader Catanauan community through education, healthcare assistance, and livelihood support
- A beacon of hope and faith in the Bondoc Peninsula and the Diocese of Gumaca, drawing pilgrims and visitors to encounter Christ through our living heritage
St. Isidore the Farmer
San Isidro Labrador
St. Isidore the Farmer, born Isidro de Merlo y Quintana around 1070 in Madrid, was a Mozarab farmworker known throughout the region for his extraordinary piety toward the poor and animals. Despite his humble station as a hired hand serving the wealthy landowner Juan de Vargas, Isidore lived a life of remarkable generosity, consistently sharing what little he had—even his own meals—with those in greater need, trusting always in God’s providence to sustain him.
Canonized on March 12, 1622, by Pope Gregory XV in a grand ceremony alongside Saints Ignatius Loyola, Teresa of Ávila, Philip Neri, and Francis Xavier, St. Isidore became the patron saint of farmers, peasants, and agricultural workers worldwide. His canonization was a recognition not of scholarly achievement or ecclesiastical office, but of the profound holiness found in ordinary labor performed with love of God. Today, over 150 parishes and several municipalities across the Philippines bear his name, a testament to the deep connection between Filipino Catholic devotion and the agrarian virtues he exemplified.
His wife, Maria Torribia, known as Santa María de la Cabeza (“Saint Mary of the Head”), is also venerated as a saint, making them one of the rare married couples both canonized by the Church. A beloved legend recounts how, on one occasion, Isidore arrived late to the fields because he had stayed for morning Mass. Upon arriving, he found that angels had already guided the plough and completed the furrows in his absence—a story that beautifully captures the saint’s conviction that prayer is never a waste of time, but rather the most fruitful labor of all.
Our Parish Leaders
The devoted shepherds and lay servants who guide our community with faith, wisdom, and selfless service, carrying forward the mission of St. Isidore the Farmer Parish under the Diocese of Gumaca.
Rev. Fr. [Name]
Parish Priest & Spiritual DirectorA devoted shepherd of the faithful, the parish priest guides the spiritual life of St. Isidore the Farmer Parish through the faithful celebration of the Holy Eucharist and the sacraments, the delivery of pastoral care to every household in the parish territory, and the diligent preaching of the Gospel. Entrusted with the overall direction of parish programs and ministries, he works closely with the Parish Pastoral Council and the various lay organizations to ensure that the spiritual needs of the community are met, while also overseeing the temporal affairs of the parish in service to the common good.
“We are called to be humble servants, just as St. Isidore labored in the fields yet never failed to put God first in all things. Our parish grows not by numbers alone, but by the depth of faith in every heart.”
Rev. Fr. [Name]
Parochial VicarThe parochial vicar assists the parish priest in the full spectrum of pastoral care for the community. He administers the sacraments—including Baptism, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, and Holy Communion to the homebound—and regularly visits the sick, the elderly, and those in hospital. He also plays a vital role in nurturing the parish’s faith formation programs, leading youth ministry activities, coordinating catechetical instruction, and supporting the various prayer groups and devotional societies that sustain the spiritual vitality of the parish.
“Every visit to the sick, every blessing given, every confession heard is a moment where Christ Himself touches the lives of His people through our humble service.”
[Name]
Parish Pastoral Council ChairAs chair of the Parish Pastoral Council, this lay leader serves as the bridge between the clergy and the lay faithful, coordinating the planning and implementation of parish programs and pastoral initiatives. Working alongside the parish priest, the chair organizes community outreach drives, oversees the scheduling of lay ministers and lectors, manages parish volunteer teams, and ensures that every ministry—from the Knights of the Altar to the Legion of Mary—operates in unity with the pastoral vision of the church. The role embodies the universal call to holiness and the shared responsibility of every baptized Christian in building up the Body of Christ.
“Our parish is a family—and like St. Isidore’s humble household, we share what we have, lift each other up in faith, and labor together for the glory of God.”
History of Our Parish
From humble beginnings to a living heritage of faith, the story of St. Isidore the Farmer Parish mirrors the enduring devotion of the people of Catanauan across more than three centuries.
Rooted in the Spirit
of St. Isidore
The virtues that guided our patron saint continue to shape the life and ministry of our parish community, forming the spiritual pillars upon which every program and initiative is built.
Faith
Deep trust in God’s providence, reflected in daily prayer, devotion to the sacraments, and the unwavering belief that God walks with His people through every season of life.
Charity
Generous sharing of blessings with the poor and needy, following St. Isidore’s lifelong example of giving his own meals to the hungry and trusting that God would provide.
Humility
Serving without seeking recognition, recognizing that all gifts come from God’s hand, and finding holiness in the ordinary tasks of daily life—as St. Isidore did in the fields.
Community
Building bonds of fellowship and mutual support, united as one family in Christ, caring for one another across generations and drawing strength from our shared heritage of faith.