page_title: Novaliches Cathedral
section_title: History
hierarchical_section_title: Novaliches Cathedral / History
caption_attribution_description: English: The Limcaco Hall houses the parish halls and the diocesan offices of Novaliches
context_page_description: Novaliches Cathedral, canonically recognized as the Archdiocesan Shrine and Cathedral-Parish of the Good Shepherd, is a Roman Catholic church located along Regalado Avenue in Barangay Fairview, Quezon City in the Philippines. It is the seat of the Diocese of Novaliches. It was established on August 5, 1975 by Manila Archbishop Jaime L. Cardinal Sin, who designated Rev. Fr. Fidelis Ruben Limcaco as the church's first parish priest.
  From 1975 to 2003, the Good Shepherd Archdiocesan Shrine was a part of the Archdiocese of Manila. It was elevated into the status of cathedral when it was designated to be the seat of the newly created Diocese of Novaliches in January 2003. Rev. Msgr. Jesus-Romulo C. Rañada, PC became the first cathedral rector. Since 2019, Rev. Msgr. Antonio E. Labiao Jr., VG has been the pastor and rector.
context_section_description: The Catholic Community of Fairview in Quezon City started when a new subdivision, Fairview Park, was developed by the Regalado Family in the northern part of Quezon City in the early 70's. During that time, there was no daily mass in their community. It was still part of the Parish of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Project 6, Quezon City and Sunday Mass was celebrated by a Dutch Carmelite Priest, Fr. Nico Hofstede, O.Carm in a motor pool owned by the Regalado Family.
  The community in Fairview Park was then growing and it was the dream of the residents that a new parish be founded within the subdivision. On August 18, 1975, Jaime Cardinal Sin erected a new parish in Fairview Park. He appointed and installed on the same day Fr. Fidelis Ruben Limcaco as the first Parish Priest. Fr. Fidelis named the Parish as “The Good Shepherd Parish”. It had a wide area of jurisdiction; Tala & Bagong Silang (Caloocan) in the north; part of Novaliches in the west; Luzon Avenue in the south; and Marikina River in the east.
  The Parish of the Good Shepherd was first housed in a small chapel at the crossroads of Fairview Avenue (now Commonwealth Avenue) and Regalado Avenue, loaned by the family of Mr. Bonifacio C. Regalado. As the community expanded, a need for a bigger church was imperative. This was the vision of Fr. Fidelis that he relentlessly pursued. The Regalado family donated a 3,650 square meter property at the corner of Regalado Avenue and Omega Street. Architect Raoul Sotto began to draw plans for a “Christopolos”: a church that would cater to the people’s needs. From there, a dream of a bigger church to honor Jesus emerged, the Good Shepherd was curved in the minds and hearts of Fr. Fidelis and the parishioners. It was a vision that would entail great sacrifices, commitment and dedication from the parishioners; a mission to be nurtured by time, talent and treasure from numerous parishioners. It was an undertaking that required leadership from the Parish Priest to the lay leaders.
  On December 10, 1977, the Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, Archbishop Bruno Torpigliani led the celebrations during the monumental ground breaking ceremony and cornerstone laying. From that day, Fr. Fidelis vigorously pursued the construction. He made the parishioners realized that they have the responsibility as a member of the church. It is not enough that they go to church even daily. They have to share their time, talent and treasure. Simultaneous with the construction of the church, Fr. Fidelis developed the spirituality of the parishioners and devoted all his time teaching them to grow in a deeper understanding of the Holy Trinity. Such effort and dedication did not go unnoticed. On May 29, 1981, Pope John Paul II, through the recommendation of the archbishop, named Fr. Fidelis as Papal Chaplain. Hitherto he was lovingly called by all as “Monsi”.
  For several years, the construction of the new church was the biggest challenge and most ambitious project of Msgr. Fidelis and the parishioners. There were many fund-raising affairs, social activities and solicitations that took place just to generate funds to continue the construction of the new church. These included “Gabi ng Harana”, “Dinner Dance”, “Raffles”, “Bingo Social”, and “Alay Envelop”. The biggest source of funds was the “Miss Good Shepherd Parish” and “Santa Elena Contests”. The new church was blessed, consecrated and dedicated to Jesus the Good Shepherd by Cardinal Sin, Archbishop of Manila on August 19, 1984. Also on that day, three distinguished parishioners, Inocencio F. Fallaria, Ismael D. Quiambao and Rene R. Isidoro, were awarded the title of “Papal Knights of the Pontifical Order of St. Sylvester” by the Papal Nuncio Archbishop Bruno Torpigliani.
  The ever-dynamic Msgr. Fidelis, did not end his vision and mission in the construction of the church building. The formation of a true church, nurtured with spiritual teachings was his final goal. But temporal facilities were needed to house these programs. It was at that time, the lot near the creek consisting of 1,635 square meters more or 
caption: The Limcaco Hall houses the parish halls and the diocesan offices of Novaliches