SF Bay Area Parishes Join 11th Simbang Gabi Commissioning
27 December 2017 SAN FRANCISCO — The annual Simbang Gabi Commissioning took place on December 05 at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption, with representatives of the participating parishes attending the commissioning mass that was presided by William Cardinal Levada, Prefect Emeritus of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and Archbishop Emeritus of San Francisco.
Cardinal Levada encouraged the Community to continue its simbang gabi traditions, as these prepare the minds and hearts of the congregation for the Christmas season. He added that these traditions are the Filipino Community’s gift to our brothers and sisters in the faith, as they contribute to the anticipation of the coming of the Christ Child.
In support of the Consulate’s movement to Spark*Connect*Empower* the Filipino-American Community and support the efforts of the Filipino Catholic Ministry, Madame Mariza S. Bensurto and her son Matthew joined the offertory procession, representing the Consulate during the mass.
Back in 2006, at the inception of the Simbang Gabi, 15 parishes participated in the traditions. Today, 45 of 91 parishes in the San Francisco Bay Area now hold Simbang Gabi in December. Each parish presented their own parols at the mass to receive their commissioning from Cardinal Levada. END
For more information, visit www.sanfranciscopcg.dfa.gov.ph/ www.philippinessanfrancisco.org or https://www.facebook.com/PHinSF/
