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Press Release
PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL CELEBRATES FILIPINO FAITH IN TRADITIONAL SIMBANG GABI MASS IN CHICAGO
19 December 2023 – The Philippine Consulate General in Chicago, led by Consul General J. Susana V. Paez, together with the Chicago-area Filipino Catholic volunteers and members of the Saint Mary of the Lake Catholic Church and Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, co-organized a Simbang Gabi mass on 19 December 2023 at the Saint Mary of the Lake Catholic Church in uptown Chicago.
The mass, with the theme “Growing in love for the Eucharist,” is one of the Simbang Gabi masses organized at nearly sixty (60) archdiocesan churches in Chicago. This year marks the 38th year of celebrating the annual Simbang Gabi masses in the city.
Consulate personnel participated in the mass, which was attended by at least 200 members of the congregation and their guests. Consul General J. Susana V. Paez, prior the processional, gave a short introduction of Simbang Gabi and highlighted the importance of the nine-day novena masses to Filipinos all over.
“For the Filipinos, Simbang Gabi is a spiritual preparation for Christmas as much as it is a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. No matter where we are, Filipinos come together every year to attend the nine-day masses to give thanks to God, reaffirm our Catholic faith, and to sustain a beautiful tradition,” she said.
Consul General Paez also shared her Christmas message which called for renewed hope amid the challenges and uncertainties that are currently grappling the world.
Fr. Manuel Dorantes, who concelebrated the Simbang Gabi mass, urged the Filipino community in Chicago to continue with beautiful Filipino traditions as these add vibrancy to the local culture.
After the Eucharistic celebration, the community was treated to Filipino food and music during a simple reception at the Parish Hall. To everyone’s delight, an impromptu cultural dance was also performed by several of Post’s personnel. /END.
