We had a lot of challenges this later part of 2021. The weather is not good with rains, storms, floods and Omicron on the rise but despite all these, our belief in God is strong and our religious activities continue on with the guidance of our great leader, President Debbie Gonzales, and her core group support which is the Board of Directors, the Chapter Directors and Area Chairpersons and of course, the precious FFRGOC members who participated with the events whether it is rain or shine, cold or warm weather.
The schedule of Simbang Gabi was posted on another blog and pictures taken during those events are not always available on other participating parishes. However, once available those pictures will be included in our website to share with everyone.
Nativity Scene - Christ's Cathedral
On December 15, 2021, the first Simbang Gabi was held at the iconic architecture of Christ's Cathedral. Simbang Gabi is normally highlighted with the celebration of the mass and Reverend Christopher Smith was the celebrant of the Holy Mass followed by the sharing of the food with attendees, a norm considering Filipino hospitality. The event was so successful with more than 300 attendees and acknowledged by the Diocese of Orange which FFRGOC appreciates and thanks to the Filipino Community of Christ Cathedral together with FFRGOC Central East Chapter Area 3 who hosted the event but of course, the whole FFRGOC organization who worked hard and supported the event.
Invitation (Picture courtesy of Larry Orque, BM)
List of Participants and Acknowledgement - (Picture courtesy of Larry Orque, Jr. BM)
Filipinos had also a chance to enjoy with families and friends the Christmas tradition of Simbang Gabi and also heard the Filipino and English Christmas songs sang beautifully by our FFRGOC Choir and saw the beautiful parols and liturgical dance and had a chance to wear our traditional ternos and barongs just like back in the Philippines which make everyone nostalgic and appreciative of our Filipino culture and tradition.
The following pictures are just samples of what transpired last December 15, 2021, the first Simbang Gabi. Pictures were provided to me by Nenita Miyata, FFRGOC Chapter Director and Evelyn Ruiz, FFRGOC Chapter Director and Larry Orque Jr. BM , FFRGOC Choir Music Director.
The Attendees (Picture courtesy of Larry Orque Jr. BM)
Entrance of the beautiful ladies including Evelyn Ruiz, FFRGOC Chapter Director, with parol or lantern (typical Filipino Christmas Decor) amidst the eager audience
The Priests Celebrants of the Holy Mass (Picture courtesy of Larry Orque Jr. BM)
Eli Ruiz, FFRGOC Seminar Program and the beautiful ladies ready to do their petitions in different Filipino dialects (Picture courtesy of Larry Orque Jr. BM)
FFRGOC Choir upstairs ready to sing (Courtesy of Larry Orque Jr. BM)
FFRGOC Choir Music Director, Larry Orque, Jr. BM getting ready for a superb music performance (Love this picture courtesy of Larry Orque Jr. BM)
FFRGOC President Debbie Gonzales and her husband Ely Gonzales bringing the offering to the altar
Father Christopher Smith celebrating the Holy Mass
FFRGOC Choir Members who sang and are behind the Noche Buena Medley Song at Christ Cathedral wearing their beautiful ternos and barongs
The men who worked hard during the event - Larry Orque, Jr. BM FFRGOC Choir Director, Wally Claudio, FFRGOC Director of Charity, Eli Ruiz , FFRGOC Seminarian Program Director and Lino Aldana, FFRGOC Past President and Christ Cathedral Filipino Ministry Leader (Picture courtesy of Larry Orque Jr. BM)
After the Holy Mass celebration, the attendees were treated by FFRGOC with a box of dinner and the following pictures highlights the sharing of food.
People having fun despite the cold weather (Picture courtesy of Larry Orque Jr. BM)
More attendees enjoying the event (Picture courtesy of Larry Orque Jr. BM)
Love this picture of the event at night which unfortunately I missed (Picture courtesy of Larry Orque, Jr. BM)
December 16, Simbang Gabi at San Francisco Solano Church was held on Thursday at 7:00pm. Still cold, but our FFRGOC members and their families and friends with their devotion to Jesus through Mary still went to church for a Holy Mass celebration and continued on the tradition of wearing our ternos and barongs and sharing food with everyone who attended. Here are some pictures as proofs of their enjoyment and devotion.
The Invitation (Picture courtesy of Larry Orque Jr. BM)
List of Participants/Acknowlegement (Picture courtesy of Larry Orque Jr. BM)
Attendees getting ready to participate in the Holy Mass Celebration (Picture courtesy of Larry Orque Jr. BM))
Bishop Thanh Thai Nguyen, Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Orange delivering the Homily (Picture courtesy of Larry Orque Jr. BM)
Attendees listening to the Homily (Picture courtesy of Larry Orque Jr. BM)
FFRGOC Choir in action and singing beautiful songs (Picture courtesy of Larry Orque Jr. BM)
FFRGOC singing more songs during the Holy Mass (Picture courtesy of Larry Orque Jr. BM)
Such a beautiful picture I had to share of the FFRGOC choir singing more songs (Picture courtesy of Larry Orque Jr. BM)
After the Holy Mass celebration and energized by FFRGOC choir singing beautiful music which everyone enjoyed, it was time to share food with all the attendees who enjoyed the camaraderie and the food inside the dinner box.
The clergy and staff enjoying the food (Picture courtesy of Larry Orque Jr. BM)
Attendees enjoying the dinner (Picture courtesy of Larry Orque Jr. BM)
FFRGOC Choir dining with the rest of the attendees (Picture courtesy of Larry Orque Jr. BM)
While everyone were enjoying the food, there were some serious pictures taken worth sharing during the event.
FFRGOC President Debbie Gonzales with Bishop Thanh Thai Nguyen, Auxiliary Bishop of Orange and FFRGOC Choir Music Director while FFRGOC Choir President Glenn Puzon was smiling at the background and they didn't know they were photo bombed. lol
FFRGOC Choir with the Bishop and the clergy (Picture courtesy of LarryOrque Jr. BM)
What could be more beautiful than these FFRGOC Choir members in their beautiful ternos and barong on a beautiful backdrop - mural of San Francisco Solano that I have always admired as a designer (Picture taken by Larry Orque Jr. BM) I need to get their names later.
Moving on, let us go to December 17 at St. Timothy Church whose Simbang Gabi was held on Friday at 7:00pm and coordinated by Fortune Sagra and Arnie Ursabia. Currently, I have only the picture of FFRGOC choir who sang at the Holy Mass Celebration. Other pictures will be posted as soon as available.
Another Simbang Gabi was held last December 18 at St. Killian Church on Saturday at 4:00pm.
Thanks for the pictures taken by Jonathan Alonzo, a seasoned photographer and husband of our new President Helen Alonzo that I can share with you.
The hard working group of FFRGOC - Mr and Mrs. Gene Reyes, Cora Narciso, our new President Helen Alonzo and last year President Debbie Gonzales and her husband, Ely Gonzales using the beautiful Christmas Tree as a backdrop
A beautiful picture under the parol of FFRGOC Board of Directors and Members
Enjoying the box of dinner were Board of Directors Fely and Wally Claudio, Nenita Miyata and FFRGOC members
Happy FFRGOC Board of Directors and Members enjoying the food and company at this special Simbang Gabi
Last December 20, 2021 Holy Spirit Church had the Simbang Gabi with a Holy Mass celebrated by Father Wayne Adajar, Parochial Vicar at 6:00pm Monday. It was cold and after the mass,, the Filipino Ministry Group of Holy Spirit , shared some finger foods in a dinner box and shared with all attendees. Attendees included Board of Directors and members of FFRGOC and local parishioners of Holy Spirit Church.
Father Wayne Adajar made the Holy mass more nostalgic when he related his own experience as a young priest and celebrating Simbang Gabi in different towns and barangays in the Diocese of Lipa, Batangas City, Philippines to attendees mostly of Filipino descent.
Here are some pictures taken during and after the Holy Mass and videos of beautiful music rendered by Holy Spirit parishioners volunteers.
The Altar Of Holy Spirit Church with its Christmas festive decor -poinsettias and blinking Star Lanterns ( A Filipino Christmas Decor courtesy of Nenita Miyata)
Beautiful poinsettias and Lenten Candles and Parols as part of Christimas Simbang Gabi Decor
Filipino Ministry Group Members Glory Laureano and Ramona Dato and Ellen Bantugan, wife of Art Bantugan, FFRGOC Southwest Chapter Area 1 were among some of the attendees
Some of the attendees were Filipino Ministry Group Members, Holy Spirit Parishioners and FFRGOC members
Filipino Ministry Group Assistant Secretary Odeeh Medrano was the Lector for the Simbang Gabi at Holy Spirit Church
FFRGOC Board of Director, Youth Ernie Delfin, Father Wayne, the Celebrant for our Holy Mass, Mrs and Mr. Jonathan Lorenzo, Director of Philanthropy, Orange Catholic Foundation and Filipino Ministry Group Member Lily Layman were among of the attendees
Another picture with Ernie Delfin, Mr and Mrs. Jonathan Lorenzo and our FFRGOC President who also sacrificed to go to our Simbang Gabi with her husband, Ely Gonzales
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