The Feast of the Nativity of the Lord is fast approaching and here in the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa, churches will be filled with people every morning, in fact, much earlier than usual.
For the past 43 years, the “Simbang Gabi”, which is the traditional Filipino way of preparing for Christmas has been celebrated here in Saipan. It began as a pastoral ministry to the large group of Filipino overseas workers living in the CNMI who longed to experience Christmas the way they used to growing up in the Philippines. It first was celebrated at Mt. Carmel Church but soon it quickly spread to the different parishes and has now been a part of the life of the local church this time of the year.
On Monday, the Simbang Gabi Masses or sometimes called Aguinaldo Masses or Missa de Gallo (Mass of the rooster) will begin once again. It will be celebrated at 4:00 am in the Cathedral and at 5:00 am in the rest if the churches.
The Saipan Simbang Gabi Group which is the organization who has been coordinating the Simbang Gabi Masses at Mt. Carmel Cathedral for four decades now is once again spearheading this year’s Masses. The role of the group has also evolved through the years, from simply organizing the Masses to an active donors and benefactors to the social and ecclesial needs both here in the CNMI as well as in the Philippines.
In the first 20 years, the Saipan Simbang Gabi Group used to serve light breakfast to the congregation after the Masses. But For the last 20 years Saipan Simbang Gabi Group (SSGG) decided to forego serving light breakfast but instead collected cash donations to build a total of five school classrooms in the most depressed areas in the Philippines, namely: Three in Luzon – Bicol Region, Ilocos, and Bulacan; One in the Visayas – Samar; and One in Mindanao – Misamis Oriental.
SSGG also gave donations to ABS-CBN’s Bantay Bata as well as to the Yolanda Typhoon victims.
Thanks to the generous help of benefactors and attendees of the annual Simbang Gabi Masses, the group was able to help rebuild a burned-down Catholic High School in the Archdiocese of Dumaguete. They also contributed to the Coin Drive of Cardinal Luis Tagle, the Archbishop of Manila.
Here in Saipan, the funds that were collected during the Simbang Gabi Masses throughout these years were able to help Karidat, the Social service arm of the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa; the Mercedarian Sisters’ Maturana House of Prayer; and the Catholic Charity Appeal for the Seminarians’ education.
SSGG has always worked closely with Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Cathedral and supported it in many ways such as: building the outside Nativity scene since 2010, donating some pieces of furniture and fixture to the Cathedral rectory as well as household items for the resident priests’ use. When Bishop Ryan was installed bishop three years ago, they donated the bishop’s chair (cathedra) and Sponsored the installation of San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila and San Pedro Calungsod in the Cathedral. This year, they plan to help rebuild the storage unit of the Cathedral which was destroyed by Super Typhoon Yutu last year.
This year, SSGG aims to continue their active presence and ministry in the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa by once again spearheading the Masses in the Cathedral. The group wanted to send their thanks and appreciation to all their benefactors in our community through these years and they hoped that they continue to build on this relationship so they can also continue to give back to the community and to the church.
For those who wished to help, below are the list of this year’s Simbang Gabi Masses:
Dec 16th Consul Eli Arago & Ladyvir Canape – 989-2545
Dec 17th Mario Mayuga & Anamae Adaza – 285-1021 & 285-4388
Dec 18th Romel & Raquel Mostales – 287-3370
Dec 19th Vir & Alice Abueme – 287-8188 & 287-4858
Dec 20th Bong & Malou Malasarte & Deo Manese – 483-8895 & 789-6155
Dec 21st Cel Pagapular , Charlene Valle & Noli Santos – 285-3296 & 285-6810
Dec 22nd Lito & Malou Mendoza / Linda Torresa – 287-7564
Dec 23rd Shirley Kim & Edy Uy – 287-6750 & 989-3398
Dec 24th Neneth dls – Olarte & Celso Agui – 235-5009 & 989-6626
