MERRILLVILLE – Uppermost in the minds of Catholics and other Christians around the globe are the celebrations of the birth of the one described by St. John the Apostle as “the light that has come into the world.” On the darkest day of the calendar, local faithful gathered for a Simbang Gabi Mass and dinner, a bright Filipino tradition.
At Our Lady of Consolation/Holy Martyrs Parish a full house participated in the evening vigil Mass on Dec. 21, first led by the light of several youth dressed in the festive garb of the Philippines and holding parols, or star-shaped lanterns.
“These stars remind us of the brightness that the Lord wants us to have,” said presider Bishop Robert J. McClory, detailing the challenges the world presents to our peace.
“We can begin to simply see the darkness ... and yet today’s Mass reminds us that as we're in the fourth Sunday of Advent, we’re getting closer and closer to Jesus, who overcomes the darkness.”
The bishop continued, encouraging believers to radiate the joy of meeting the Eucharistic Lord, who can dispel the winter doldrums.
“This is one way that we say, ‘Lord, I know you want to nourish me, you want to sustain me, you want to feed me, you want to strengthen me. So, I come here, and I receive you in the Eucharist so that I can have that joy that we heard of (with) Elizabeth, that burst forth (because) the baby Jesus in the womb of Mary was in her presence.”
Bishop McClory was joined by concelebrants Father Ted Mauch, pastor, Father Steven Caraher, associate pastor, and assisted by Deacon Thomas Gryzbek.
As Advent wound down, parishioners at the liturgy got a taste of songs that were more upbeat and cheerful than anticipatory hymns such as “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.” Instead, members of the Asian Catholic Ministry Choir lead in songs such as “Noche Buena.”
"Tayo na, giliw, magsalo na Mayo/ Mayroon na tayong tinapay at keso/ Di ba Notse Bwena sa gabing ito/ At bukas ayaraw ng Pasko,” which translates to, "Let's kindly share/May we have bread and cheese/Isn't it Notse Bwena tonight/And tomorrow is Christmas day”
Many Mass-goers walked to Our Lady of Consolation’s Vamos Hall, where the diocesan Office of Intercultural Ministry, the Philippine Nurse Association of Northwest Indiana, and the Philippine Professionals Association Inc. sponsored a fellowship dinner.
Observing the joyful singing, the formal and the festive attire, and smelling the traditional cuisine including chicken adobo and pancit (noodles), Claudia F. Sadowski, Ph.D., diocesan coordinator of intercultural ministry, experienced her first Simbang Gabi celebration.
“I think the inter-generational attendance of Filipinos is great, because we are passing along the cultural ways of worship,” Sadowski said. “I was impressed to see the little kids ... they know what is important and they were doing their part.”
The event was a cultural crossroads, just as the archipelagic country of the Philippines reflects. Its history is marked by a meeting of the natives with Spanish explorers, who brought the Catholic faith and governed the nation for hundreds of years. The brutal occupation of the country by Japanese forces during the World War II era yielded to its liberation by U.S. forces led by General Douglas MacArthur.
A cultural affinity between Americans and Filipinos was solidified over the decades, and even some youngsters noted this. Eleven-year-old Zainah Buco of Merrillville said, “It’s like a normal day for Christmas, but when it comes to eating, we always have rice, and we do karaoke (singing) a lot.”
Santa Claus (portrayed by legendary Chicagoland St. Nick Mike McNeal) added to the festive theme, where children gathered together, adults caught up on conversation and an open mike session allowed for Christmas-inspired musical performances.
Capturing the attention of those gathered in Vamos Hall were Thomas and Joshua Miller, who performed “Feliz Navidad” on vocals and guitar. The boys, 10 and 8, respectively, said they were excited to perform before the crowd and credited their interest to their music teacher Anthony Rossi of St. Mary Catholic Community School of Crown Point.
The Balce family of Portage gathered as a group for the first time at such a Simbang Gabi event. Joseph and Joy Balce, natives of the Philippines, said they had been at similar festivities, in their “B.C.” – before children – days. Now, their two sons, Jonathan, 12, and Joshua, 7, joined in the advent revelry.
Students at Nativity of Our Savior school, the boys comported themselves very politely. Dining and the playing of portable video games preceded table conversation. Each learned something new about the family’s heritage. Joseph and Joy said they originally met in Manila, Philippines, where they were married in one of many local neighborhood Catholic churches.
When they formalized their immigration to the United States, they first settled in Arkansas, then moved to Indiana. Joseph said one of his first goals was “to eat a big, juicy hamburger, made in the U.S.A.” They assimilated into American culture, always keeping with them the colorful background of being from Asia’s only country with a Catholic Christian majority.
“It feels like home,” said Joseph Balce of the gathering. “Look at it!”
As the evening drew to a close, Maureen Germany, newly elected vice president of the Philippine Professionals Association, offered her thanks for those who made the event possible, and forecast a good year ahead.
Before departing, Armando Torres and his wife Nympha Torres, who performed in the choir, gathered with friends around Santa. Their smartphone photos captured the moment for natives of the Philippines. The feeling in the present was one of anticipation for Christmas and appreciation of those with whom the journey will be completed.
“It’s very nice that we have our Filipino music, especially for Pasko, that’s Christmas,” said Armando Torres, dressed in an ornate barong, or decorated men’s shirt. “Food is a family tradition ... Christmas means family is together and the food is next to that.”
Caption: Youth, including Shantelle Masonsong (center), 3, and Zia Bucu (right), 4, each each carry a parol, or star-shaped lantern, near the sanctuary during Mass that preceded an ethnic Sambang Gabi dinner on Dec. 21 at Our Lady of Consolation church/Holy Martyrs parish in Merrillville. Sambang Gabi is a traditional celebration of the Philippines that is part of an Advent novena leading up to Christmas that include pilgrimages, food and fellowship. (Anthony D. Alonzo photo)