Pasko na naman! The Christmas season is almost here! Even in the midst of the pandemic, the Filipino community will be celebrating an age-old Christmas tradition dear to their hearts, the Simbang Gabi! This year’s virtual event is set for December 19, 2020 at 6pm and will be livestreamed on the Pinoy Monthly Mass of El Paso Facebook page. It is a virtual event but we are still coming together!
For many Filipinos, this traditional Mass, commencing on the 16th of December and leading up to Christmas Eve, has always been an essential part of the Christmas celebration. The 2019 Simbang Gabi in the Diocese of El Paso brought together many kababayan—fellow Filipinos—and guests from different parts of the community, all eager for fellowship_,_ a taste of Filipino food_,_ and, of course, to share the joy of celebrating the birth of our Lord Jesus.
Even if we cannot gather in person this year, the Filipino community will have a Mass presided by Bishop Mark J. Seitz. We will pray together for the end of the pandemic, for the healing of those who are sick, the eternal repose for those who have died, and courage and hope for all of us as we continue to confront the challenges we face. Let us renew our trust in God as we say: “Ang Panginoon ang aking liwanag at kaligtasan, kanino ako matatakot? The Lord is my light and my salvation, of whom shall I be afraid?” — Psalm 27:1, the theme of El Paso’s 2020 Simbang Gabi.
As they have done in the past, the Filipino community will raise funds for the Filipino-American Endowment Fund which helps promote vocations and assist priests in their retirement. You can contribute with a credit card on the Foundation’s website or mail a check to Foundation for the Diocese of El Paso, 499 St. Matthews Street, Building G, El Paso, Texas 79907, Attn: Simbang Gabi. For more information and to discuss other ways to give, please contact Major Gifts Officer Sofía Larkin at slarkin@elpasodiocese.org or directly at 915-433-2003. Thank you for your generosity. Maraming salamat po sa inyong kabutihan at pagpalain sana kayo ng ating Panginoong Diyos.
