We have one of the best-preserved church convents in the archdiocese, even with the ravages of time and the threat of lahar two-decades ago. But we are building a new one!

In January 2011, the parishioners of Santa Rita de Cascia, led by the Parish Finance Council (PFC), witnessed an old building within the church grounds demolished. Originally planned as a quarters for the parish Cursillo Movement in the 1970s, the building was never finished as it was intended. It later served as an improvised parish convent for the more senior parish priests who found it inconvenient to climb up and down the steep stairs of the old convent and as a meeting place for church and civic groups.

Under the administration of the current parish priest, Msgr. Gene Reyes, where an inventory of parish property and major restoration and renovation work is being undertaken, the old parish convent was deemed impractical and too precious a structure for the needs of a modern parish to be used as a residence and office. With proper planning, however, it is the perfect venue for a parish museum that will house many of the Church’s antique images and artifacts related to the history and life of the Parish of Santa Rita.

At this time, the parish already has a sizable inventory, coming from the convent, the church, a few gathered from the chapels like the old and worn out images, the bells and other objects of interest.

With this development, it was only logical that the convent and offices be moved to a more appropriate location. Thus was the plan to rehabilitate the structure at the back of the church grounds. Aside from being in a most convenient location, the old structure also saved the parish time and resources since the foundation was already laid and the pillars from the foundation to the ground floor were already erected. Much of the ground work was done around thirty years (30) ago, the challenge was to continue and make it suitable for contemporary times and the future.

From January 2011, the PFC has been able to raise PhP2.7M in funds to cover the cost of raising the building’s pillars, walls and roof. This is less than half of what is needed to finish the building and furnish its rooms and offices to cater to the growing needs of Santa Rita de Cascia Parish.