THE CREATION AND CARRYING ON OF GKK SAN ANTONIO DE PADUA IN PUROK 4, NEW CALUMPANG, BARANGAY FATIMA, GENERAL SANTOS CITY

The celebration of 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines proved that
there had been a continuous cultural adaptation of Christianity into the local culture since the introduction of the religion in the country.
This study aimed to explore and discover the history of these small Christian communities, including why the Catholic Church stirred up the creation of the Basic Ecclesial Communities, how was the GKK San Antonio de Padua established, and its importance to members and the Parish, the selection of St. Anthony as a patron, religious activities, as well as the constraints they met and solutions presented.
The study employed a qualitative approach utilizing the historical and descriptive approaches in research to achieve the objectives of the study. The data collection for this research was successful through interviews with former and current GKK officers, members, pioneers and the Parish GKK Ministry
Coordinator.
The result of the study revealed that GKK San Antonio de Padua was created and continued to serve for more than twenty years up to the present. It was first recognized as a GKK of Holy Cross Parish in Barangay Calumpang until it became one of the 46 Basic Ecclesial Communities administered by Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Barangay Fatima, General Santos City. Both these Catholic churches were under the Diocese of Marbel.
The Catholic church had stirred up the creation of the Basic Ecclesial
Community as a place of worship and to easily spread the word of God. GKK San Antonio de Padua was established when the residents of Purok 4 decided to build GKK in 1997. The construction of the GKK was achieved after the completion of the requirements. The Patron Saint was selected based on the decisions of the majority. The presence of the GKK was both important for members and the Parish to strengthen their faith and relationship with God.
Furthermore, GKK San Antonio de Padua is categorized with a semi- active status. Both officials and members encountered problems that challenged their faith due to the pandemic brought to the GKK, where the church activities are limited. Fortunately, both material and non-material problems have effectively been solved and are still managed by the GKK through Bayanihan Spirit.