Dec 22, Fri 7pm
Sub-Theme: Humility and Self-Sacrifice

All Saints Catholic Church
9300 Stonewall Road
Manassas, VA 20110-2594
Directions: http://www.allsaintsvachurch.org/
Sponsored by Fil Am Ministry of All Saints
For info: Conrad and Rose Ann Alzona 703-909-6454

Dec 23, Sat 7:30pm
Sub-Theme: To Jesus through Mary and Joseph

St.Michael's Catholic Church
7401 St. Michael’s Ln.
Annandale, VA 22003
Directions: http://www.stmichael-annandaleva.org/
Sponsored by Filipino Ministry of St. Michael's
For info: Ben & Sollie Manalaysay 703-354-7422

Early Dawn Mass @ 5am
Dec 16-24, 2005
ST.CHARLES BORROMEO
3304 N. Washington Blvd
Arlington, VA 22201
Sponsored by Misa de Gallo Community 
Call Marta Johnson 703-243-2975
Lito & Rachel Roa 703-486-0992
Bobby & Kathy Chan 703-892-1112
Fred & Vangie Sunga 703-516-9160

Please check our website for Changes or Updates

www.filipinoministry.catholicweb.com

Compiled by Filipino Ministry of Northern Virginia
more info please call 703-403-5624

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Dec 16-23, 2006 7pm
ST. COLUMBA CATHOLIC CHURCH
7800 Livingston Road
Oxon Hill, Maryland
Fil-Min of St. Columba
Call: Sr. Editha 301-839-7751
Pete Sarmiento 301-839-4463

Dec 2006 (To Be Announce)
ST. ROSE OF LIMA CHURCH
11701 Clopper Road
Gaithersburg, Maryland
Call: Ted Cornejo 301-996-4038

MALIGAYANG PASKO SA INYONG LAHAT  

Please check our website for Changes or Updates

www.filipinoministry.catholicweb.com

Compiled by Filipino Ministry of Northern Virginia
more info please call 703-403-5624

Bishop Paul S. Loverde celebrates Simbang Gabi with the Filipino American Community. Please join us. Note: For volunteers or  Salu-Salo/food donation, please call the respective parish coordinator or call 703-403-5624.

ORIGINS OF SIMBANG GABI Two traditions to usher in the event of Christ’s birth developed in the early course of our history. Some countries in Europe like Austria, Belgium, Germany, Hungary and Poland celebrate this mass everyday during Advent. A second tradition developed in the Latin Church.  These countries celebrated the Misa Aurea nine days before Christmas. Due to strong Spanish influence, the original Simbang Gabi was called Misa Aurea (golden mass or angels’ mass). In the Philippines, Simbang Gabi masses are celebrated in the early morning hours when roosters crow to announce the coming of a new day, hence, its other name Misa de Gallo.  At the first sound of dawn, the local band plays traditional Christmas carols all over town or the sacristan loudly peals the church bells to wake the whole town.  The entire family would walk or ride to the nearest church.  By 5:00 a.m., the mass is over but the celebration continues with a variety of delicacies enjoyed in the church courtyard. The tradition continues on in the United States in such areas as Philadelphia, Texas, Chicago, California, New York, Maryland and Virginia. In some areas, Filipino immigrants celebrate Simbang Gabi in the evening hour’s since the early dawn hour is not practical due to several factors such as the frigid morning temperature, sprawl and crawl “traffic”, changes in their work schedule with longer hours and travel time. The evening mass brings in more participation from families, especially the youth, and allows sharing of our cultural faith tradition with the larger parish body and other neighboring parishes.