4
COMMUNITY
November 21, 2017 | The Valley Catholic
Diocesan Commissioning of Simbang Gabi
Diocesan Commissioning of Simbang
Gabi will be held on Dec. 12 at Saint John
the Baptist Church in Milpitas, to be
presided by Bishop Patrick J. McGrath.
Eucharistic celebration starts at 7 p.m.
Representatives of all 21 parishes
celebrating Simbang Gabi are requested to
bring a Parol (Christmas lanterns) to be
blessed by Bishop McGrath during Mass.
In the Philippines, the Parol, a simple
star-shaped lantern traditionally made
of bamboo and paper is one of the
popular Christmas symbols. It ushers
in the start of the Christmas season. In
the early days of the Christianization of
the Philippines, the farmers used this
lighted lantern on the way to church for
the Misa de Gallo (Rooster’s Mass). This
special Mass gets its name from the
traditional celebration at dawn when
the roosters start crowing. Simbang
Gabi is held for nine consecutive days
in a novena of Masses. The Parol also
symbolizes the light of the star that
guided the shepherds and the three
kings to the manger.
2017 Simbang Gabi Novena in the Diocese of San Jose
The Simbang Gabi, a novena of Masses, first introduced in Mexico, was known
as Misa de Gallo. The Spanish missionaries brought the practice to deepen the faith
of the people of the Philippines. The Masses were celebrated as early as 4 a.m. to
allow farmers to participate in the liturgy before they went to the fields. Simbang
Gabi is a long Catholic tradition among many Filipinos not only in our country
but anywhere in the world where Filipinos find homes.
The Diocesan Council of Filipino Catholics is pleased to announce the schedule
for the nine days Novena of Masses at the following churches:
Christ the King, San Jose
Dec. 15
6:30 P.M.
Dec. 16
6:15 P.M.
Dec. 17
10:15 A.M.
Dec. 18 - 22
6:30 P.M.
Dec. 23
6:15 P.M.
Church of the Ascension, Saratoga
Dec. 20 - 22
7:00 P.M.
Dec. 23
5:00 P.M.
Church of the Resurrection, Sunnyvale
Dec. 15 – 23
8:00 P.M.
Holy Family, San Jose
Dec. 16 - 24
5:30 A.M.
Most Holy Trinity, San Jose
Dec. 16 - 24
5:30 A.M.
Our Lady of Guadalupe, San Jose
Dec. 15
6:00 P.M.
Dec. 16
5:30 P.M.
Dec. 17
6:30 P.M.
Dec. 18 - 22
6:00 P.M.
Dec. 23
5:30 P.M.
Our Lady of Peace, Santa Clara
Dec. 16 – 24
5:00 A.M.
Our Lady of Refuge, San Jose
Dec. 15-23
7:00 P.M.
Saint Athanasius, Mountain View
Dec. 16 – 24
5:30 A.M.
Saint Elizabeth, Milpitas
Dec. 15 – 23
6:00 A.M.
Saint Francis of Assisi, San Jose
Dec. 15 - 16 7:00 P.M.
Dec. 17
6:00 P.M.
Dec. 18 - 23 7:00 P.M.
Saint John the Baptist, Milpitas
Dec. 15 – 23
7:00 P.M.
Saint John Vianney, San Jose
Dec. 15
7:00 P.M.
Dec. 16
5:15 P.M.
Dec. 17
6:00 P.M.
Dec. 18 - 23 7:00 P.M.
Saint Julie Billiart, San Jose
Dec. 16 – 24 5:30 A.M.
Saint Justin, Santa Clara
Dec. 16 – 24
6:00 A.M.
Saint Lawrence the Martyr, Santa Clara
Dec. 15
7:00 P.M.
Dec. 16
5:00 P.M.
Dec. 17
6:00 P.M.
Dec. 18 - 22 7:00 P.M.
Dec. 23
5:00 P.M.
Saint Lucy, Campbell
Dec. 16 - 24 5:30 A.M.
Saint Maria Goretti, San Jose
Dec. 16
5:30 A.M.
Dec. 17
6:30 A.M.
Dec. 18 - 23 5:30 A.M.
Dec. 24
6:30 A.M.
Saint Mary, Gilroy
Dec. 16 – 24
6:00 A.M.
Saint Victor, San Jose
Dec. 16
6:00 A.M.
Dec. 17
5:30 P.M.
Dec. 18 – 23
6:00 A.M.
Dec. 24
5:30 A.M.
Santa Teresa, San Jose
Dec. 16
8:00 A.M.