Filipino Catholics celebrate Simbang Gabi
in Terre Haute

By Mary Ann Wyand

TERRE HAUTE—“Maligayang Pasko.”

That’s the Tagalog way to wish someone a “Merry Christmas” in the Philippines.

Several hundred Filipino Catholics of all ages from Vigo County and other areas of the archdiocese gathered at St. Margaret Mary Church in Terre Haute on Dec. 19 to celebrate Simbang Gabi, a Christmas tradition of Mass and carols which is a popular Advent custom in the Philippines.

The festive liturgy sponsored by the archdiocesan Commission for Multicultural Ministry was celebrated by Father Rick Ginther, pastor of St. Patrick and St. Margaret Mary parishes in Terre Haute, and Father Kenneth Taylor, director of Multicultural Ministry for the archdiocese and pastor of St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Indianapolis.

The joyous Mass with lots of music marked the fourth day of the nine-day Simbang Gabi novena for Filipino Catholics living in the archdiocese. The theme of the novena was “Family: Agent of Evangelization.”

The Multicultural Ministry Commission also sponsored Simbang Gabi liturgies on Dec. 20 at St. Gabriel Church in Indianapolis and on Dec. 21 at the St. Paul Catholic Center in Bloomington.

In his homily, Father Ginther asked the people to consider ways to bring life into the barren places in their families.

After blessing the Filipino foods served at the dinner in the parish center, Father Ginther said he hopes all Catholics will “listen for the Lord then try to bring some new life into the barren aspects of their lives.”

During Advent and throughout the year, he said, families also need to consider ways to serve the larger Church community.

“In part, Simbang Gabi has a family aspect,” he said, “because the whole family in the Philippines would come to Mass at 4 a.m. to pray together.”

The novena started on Dec. 16, he said, and is an exciting Advent custom.

“It brings all the Filipino Americans in the area together for a cultural celebration,” Father Ginther said. “Part of the gift of the Filipino American community here is that they may be from other parishes, but they can come together very easily and pray together.”

During a dinner after the novena celebration in Terre Haute, Filipino Catholics said they were thrilled to be able to celebrate Simbang Gabi with their children and pass on beloved customs from their homeland to a new generation.

St. Margaret Mary parishioner Paulito Carino of Terre Haute said “many of us are away from our home and we like to remember our culture and traditions. We don’t miss that much of [life in] the Philippines because of this kind of celebration here. It makes us feel more at home.”

His wife, Ellynel Carino, said “it means a lot to us” to be able to celebrate Simbang Gabi in the United States.

“I’ve been brought up with good family values,” she said. “The togetherness of families is very important to Filipinos. Now that we’re away from our families at home [in the Philippines], at least I can share the novena with my husband and daughter. It’s nice to be with other Filipinos.”

The Carinos moved from Cebu City in the Philippines to Terre Haute in 2003.

Their 1-year-old daughter, Pia Elleana, enjoyed the celebration and was especially attracted to the brightly colored parol, or lantern, that is traditionally used during the novena to light the way for the Christ Child. †