Welcome to our Annual Parol (Christmas Star Lantern) Making Workshop for the Youth and Adults of the Filipino American Community in the Metro DC Area.

The Parol or "Christmas Star Lantern" symbolizes the heart and spirituality of the Filipino people. In the Philippines, Filipinos celebrate the Christmas Season probably way before other people do in other countries and often one finds the "Parol" showing up as early as September.

For the Filipinos, the "Parol" is the symbol of the anticipation and the longing for hope and peace in the Philippines, for the world, for their families and loved ones, but most of all a time of healing woundedness, division, and reconciliation in spiritual preparation for the coming of a savior- the birth of Jesus Christ. Often times in the hurriedness, commercial overtures, gift-giving so peculiar to this season, sometimes we are drowned from experiencing the most important meaning of Christmas.

As for the organizers, it is their hope and wish that in the true spirit of "Bayanihan" may lead us into the process of becoming a strong and viable community - one that BUILDS and UNITES and not one that DIVIDES. It is also their wish that families and individuals showcase the parol in their own homes, as their distinctive qualities of ingenuity, hospitality and passion for hope and peace.

We look to the Present - our children and the youth leaders of the community to be the "Parol", a guiding light for our families, our community, our country. But not unless as Parents and Community leaders, that we initiate the role of passing down our faith values and cultural traditions untethered from our own prejudices and biases can we become a People of Hope.

In keeping alive the cultural and faith traditions of the Philippines, local Filipino organizers of the Filipino Ministry of Northern Virginia(website: www.filipinoministry.catholicweb.com), Fil Am Tennis Organization of Northern Virginia (http://www.filamtennis.com ) and other Fil Am associations in the Metro DC area have come together to prepare and herald the arrival of the longest and most popular among the Filipino traditions of the Philippines - Simbang Gabi.

Simbang Gabi is a novena of nine masses in anticipation and preparation for the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. Traditionally from December 16 - 23, Catholic Churches across the Philippines and now through the missionary heart of the faithful Filipinos working with their fellow kababayan community and local Pastors and Bishops, have open doors across the Pacific and Atlantic Ocean. For a schedule in your local area, we invite you to visit www.filipinoministry.catholicweb.com  to locate the nearest celebration of this wonderful tradition. If you are on travel abroad or around the country,  we ask for your patience as we gather information from the rest of other fellow kababayans throughout the world.

If your family or organizaiton wish to host or sponsor a Simbang Gabi in the Metro DC area, please reply via our email at filipinoministry@catholicweb.com or call 703-403-5624

Parol Making Workshop

November 4, 2006
Sat 11:30pm - 3pm

St. Charles Borromeo
3304 N. Washington Blvd
Arlington , VA 22201

Directions:
http://www.stcharleschurch.org/

There is limited space.

We request each attendee to enroll online. Please click on link below for registration:

http://www.filamtennis.com/pages/ecalendar/index.cfm?action=EventDetail&EventID=40759&startdate=11%2F4%2F2006&ClubID=120108

For more info
Please call 703-403-5624