Everyone is invited as the Filipino community of Tampa Bay celebrates Simbang Gabi (Christmas Novena Mass) at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church on Saturday, December 17, 2022 at 7:00 PM. This will be the third of nine-day novena masses to be hosted by eight Catholic churches in the Tampa Bay Area and at the Philippine Cultural Enrichment Complex. The mass at OLPH will be celebrated by Fr. Hector Cruz and Rev. Fr. Jonathan Loverita from Corpus Christi Catholic Church.
“Simbang Gabi” is a devotional nine-day series of Masses practiced by Catholics and Aglipayans in the Philippines in anticipation of Christmas and to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary. The masses are held daily from December 16 to December 24 in the early mornings. On the last day of the Simbang Gabi, which is Christmas Eve, the service is instead called Misa de Gallo or “Rooster’s Mass”. The Simbang Gabi originated in the early days of Spanish rule over the Philippines as a practical compromise for farmers, who began work before sunrise to avoid the noonday heat out in the fields. Priests began to say Mass in the early mornings instead of the evening novenas more common in the rest of the Hispanic world. This cherished Christmas custom eventually became a distinct feature of Philippine culture and became a symbol of sharing.
Organized by the Sto. Nino Shrine USA, Inc. through Ed and Susan Bilbao, Simbang Gabi 2022 schedule is as follows:
Thursday, Dec. 15, 7PM
ST. PAUL CATHOLIC CHURCH
12708 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, FL 33618
Rev. Craig Morley, Celebrant
Coordinators: Sto. Niño Shrine USA, Mac & Nida Liwanag
Friday, Dec. 16, 7PM, 6:30 pm Recitation of the Holy Rosary
ST. ANNE CATHOLIC CHURCH
106 11th Ave NE, Ruskin, FL 33570
Very Rev. John McEvoy,Celebrant
Coordinator: Marites de la Rosa
Saturday, Dec. 17, 7PM
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP CATHOLIC CHURCH
1711 E 11th Ave, Tampa, FL 33605
Rev. Hector Cruz, Celebrant
Coordinator: Nhick Pacis
Sunday, Dec. 18, 7PM
BAYANIHAN ARTS AND EVENTS CENTER*
14301 Nine Eagles Dr, Tampa, FL 33626
Rev. Craig Morley, Celebrant
Coordinators: Ang Bisaya of Florida, Philippine Cultural Foundation, Inc.
Marilyn Navarro, Merced Villanueva, Adela Gianan, Judith Vidal
*Simbang Gabi mass will commence right after Pasko 2022
Monday, Dec. 19, 7PM
CORPUS CHRISTI CATHOLIC CHURCH
9715 N 56th St, Temple Terrace, FL 33617
Rev. Jonathan Loverita, Celebrant
Coordinator: Norma Blanco
Tuesday, Dec. 20, 7PM
MARY HELP OF CHRISTIANS CATHOLIC CHURCH
6400 E Chelsea St, Tampa, FL 33610
Rev. Franco Pinto, Celebrant
Coordinators: Ed & Leila Taghap
Wednesday, Dec. 21, 7PM
ST. MARK THE EVANGELIST CATHOLIC CHURCH
9724 Cross Creek Blvd, Tampa,
FL Rev. Richard Jankowski, Celebrant
Coordinators: Jose Aclan & Cris Hermano
Thursday, Dec. 22, 7PM
ST. IGNATIUS CATHOLIC CHURCH
715 E Orange St, Tarpon Springs, FL
Rev. Bill Swengros, Celebrant
Coordinators: The Caballes Family,Gene & Germel
Friday, Dec. 23, 7:30 PM
LIGHT OF CHRIST CATHOLIC CHURCH
2176 Marilyn St, Clearwater, FL 33765
Rev. Jonathan Loverita, Celebrant
Coordinators: Michelle Galura, Judith Vidal, Tina Formilliza
Many thanks to Rev. Fr. Hector Cruz, SM for allowing this special celebration to be held at OLPH, and to the Filipino-American congregation of OLPH who are helping through volunteerism, food and monetary donations!
