31 October 2014 – Philippine Consul General Henry S. Bensurto, Jr. and his spouse, Mrs. Mariza Bensurto, attended the Annual Filipino Catholic Ministry of San Francisco Gala in South San Francisco on October 19.

In his remarks during the event, Consul General Bensurto said that, “religious faith, which is very much a part of Philippine culture, is also very strong in the Filipino community in San Francisco.” He added that, “As the Filipino-American community continues to contribute to enriching American culture through its food, the arts and family values, among others, the Catholic faith in the Bay Area is also enlivened by the Filipino priests who are deeply dedicated to their vocation and active Filipino lay members who fill the pews of churches in the Bay Area.”

A large number of Filipino priests are assigned to various parishes in the Bay Area.  With the cooperation of the Filipino Catholic lay members, they have cared for the spiritual life of the community, and also helped promote Filipino culture through uniquely Filipino religious practices such as the Simbang Gabi, a novena of Masses in preparation for Christmas.

The Consul General commended the Filipino lay members in the Bay Area “for helping the Catholic Church fulfill its mission and at the same time, promoting Filipino culture.”  He encouraged the Filipino community to “continue their good works, which have become the raw materials for their own sanctification and the sanctification of others.” By doing their work well and with love, they open the path for sanctification and also towards sharing their culture with their friends and colleagues in the US. END