Our Parish Priest

REV. FR. ELIGIO “FR. ELI“ CAÑETE

“Forever I will sing the goodness of the Lord” (Psalm 89:1)

Fr. Eligio Malipot Cañete celebrates this Jubilee Year Of Hope his 25th years anniversary as a priest. Ordained on May 29, 2000, at St. Anthony Cathedral, Masbate City. Fr. Eli  rejoices for the gift of his vocation. He remembers so well the verse, Psalm 89:1 during his ordination. It is a psalm of rejoicing that captures the very spirit of Mary, our Mother of Perpetual Help who said Yes to the Lord.

Coming from a religious family and second from the youngest, he grew up with a mother and  grandmother whose love for daily Eucharistic Masses, devotion to Rosary and active involvement in the parish were a daily routine. As his father died when he was 5 years old,  Fr. Eli owes a lot the influence of his vocation to the three great women, his mother, grandmother, and Mary our Mother of Perpetual Help.

Rejoicing. This is the first movement of the Spirt he recognizes in his priestly life. He pointed out that vocation is a gift, a sacred covenant with Jesus the High Priest whose love and faithfulness to His priests is enduring. To be a priest is to be faithful and truthful to the Lord whatever it takes. Fr. Eli believes that God who started the work in him will bring it to completion. “You did not choose me, I chose you.” (Jn. 15:16.)  These words of Jesus is a source of comfort and strength knowing that Jesus always walks and accompanies His priests every step of the way.

Remembering. This is the second movement of the Spirt he recognizes in his priestly life. Everything is grace as St. Theresa of Lisieux spelled out in her life journey. Every good and bad thing that happens to his journey has a purpose. In the midst of his weaknesses and shortcomings, Jesus continues to make him a channel of His grace. Unworthy as Fr. Eli is, he opens his heart to the Lord for healing and forgiveness. Fr. Eli continues to remember what God did to him and what the Lord continues to do for him in sending great men and women, angels, and saints to watch over him, protect and inspire him.

Renewing. This is the third movement of the Spirit he recognizes in his priestly life. As Fr. Eli celebrates his 25th years as a priest, he renews his faithfulness to the Lord by loving more the Holy Masses, increasing his zeal for prayer life, serve greater the pastoral and spiritual needs of the people of God in Brooks and embrace with deeper  hope the Church he serves. Currently assigned in Brooks, his third parish in the Diocese of Calgary, Fr. Eli believes that the will of God will not bring him where the grace of God cannot sustain him. To God be the glory always!

Pastoral assignments in the Diocese of Calgary
- Pastor: St. Augustine’s, Taber (2016 - 2021)
- Pastor: St. James, Calgary (2021 - 2024)
- Pastor: St. Mary’s, Brooks (2024 - present)