The LITTLE WAY GROUP is a group of individuals who have strong devotions to Saint Therese of the Child Jesus and promotes her “Little Way” of serving the Lord. The late Pope John Paul II declared Saint Therese Doctor of the Church in the year 1997. The little way group is the core group of the Commission on Mission, Diocese of Kabankalan.
2. How did the LITTLE WAY GROUP begin?
Two Columban Missionary priests were assigned in Negros, Fr. John and Fr. Michael Doohan. They have a sister who worked in London named Mary Doohan. She has a special devotion to Saint Therese of the Child Jesus and she also helps missionaries around the world. So, whenever Fr. John and Fr. Michael had financial problems for the Churches in Negros, they wrote to their sister in London.
In November 2, 1949, a strong typhoon hit Negros. Himamaylan was not spared. The roof of the chapel was heaved and was found in the rice fields the next day. Fr. John Doohan was the parish priest that time decided to write Mary Doohan for financial assistance in the construction of a new chapel.
On the other side of the world, Mary Doohan made a film showing on Negros and solicited financial aids from the generous people of London. The endeavor of Mary Doohan spread world-wide. From London it reached the continents of Asia, America, Africa and India. People from all walks of life supported her. Later the group was named Little Way Association in honor of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus.
The Little Way Association of Kabankalan was founded in February 2001 when the first Diocesan Mission Congress initiated by Fr. Michael Doohan. Fr. Michael challenged the clergy and the laity of the Diocese of Kabankalan to continue the 50 years of mission the Columban fathers had started in Negros.
Fr. Jose Rembert Rivera responded to this challenge. He organized a group of clergy and lay people. Eight priests committed to support this group. The parishes of Cauayan, Isio and Sipalay initiated their Mission Congress gradually. Programs were designed to perpetuate and promote the mission of the Church in the diocese. This group is called the LITTLE WAY GROUP.