St. John Brebeuf to Celebrate Simbang Gabi Dec. 19

Join us at St. John Brebeuf to Celebrate Simbang Gabi

In what can be a 9-day, multi-parish celebration of the Birth of Jesus Christ, the celebration of Simbang Gabi by the Filipino-American parish members of St. John Brebeuf, Niles, will focus on a mass at 5 p.m. on Dec. 19. The celebration will continue after mass in the nearby Fr. May Ministry Center where an expected 350 will enjoy a special dinner, entertainment, group singing and lots of dancing.

Simbang Gabi is Filipino for “Night Mass” held as a devotional practiced by Roman Catholics and Aglipayans in the Philippines in anticipation of Christmas and to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary. The masses are held daily in a number of area parishes from December 16 to December 24 and occur at different times. The last day of the Simbang Gabi is Christmas Eve. SJB holds its mass on Dec. 19 to complement the schedules of nearby churches. Some of the devoted attend mass in different churches for each of the nine days.

With the support of only a few families, the Simbang Gabi celebration was started at SJB in 1992. Twenty-two years later it has grown thanks to the continued support of a core group of 10 families which organize and fund the event.

“In the beginning, a small group would gather in Flanagan Hall in the basement of the school,” says Silverio Fernandez, one of the founders and an organizer. “Now, we celebrate the birth of Jesus with many more of our fellow parish members and some from the surrounding community.” Fernandez is a member of a group which calls itself the Filipino-American Parishioners of St. John Brebeuf.

Father Mike Meany, Pastor, says, “I look forward to this mass which is a celebration of the victory of light over darkness, a sign of hope and goodwill for all.” He went on to say, “the iconic bibingka, a rice pastry, is my favorite treat after the delicious meal.”

The group works with parish staff and the Pastor to organize a special mass and other details. The celebration includes a dinner of traditional and Filipino favorites including cookies baked by Alice Janis.

As a special treat, young children are given a few dollar bills. “It is fun to see the excitement in their faces as the small children get a little money and run to tell their parents,” he said. “It’s all part of the celebration we all love.”

For information about this celebration, other mass times or parish events, visit www.sjbrebeuf.org or call 847-966-8145.