Simbang Gabi 2021
The Filipino-American community of Tampa Bay brings Simbang Gabi 2021, a Philippine Advent tradition, starting on Sunday, December 15 to Monday, December 23 at the following locations:
Wednesday, December 15, 2021, 7:00PM
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP CATHOLIC CHURCH
1711 E 11th Ave, Tampa FL 33605
Coordinators:
Nhick Ramiro Pacis,
Larry Cruz
Presider: Rev. Fr. Jonathan Loverita
Thursday, December 16, 2021, 7:00PM
MOST HOLY REDEEMER CATHOLIC CHURCH
10110 N Central Ave, Tampa FL 33612
Coordinators:
Ed and Lulu Lozano
Presider: Rev. Fr. Anthony Coppola
Friday, December 17, 2021, 7:00PM
ST. ANNE CATHOLIC CHURCH
106 11th Ave NE, Ruskin FL 33570
Coordinators:
Jesus and Mary Prayer Group
Marites de la Rosa
Presider: Very Rev. Fr. John McEnvoy, VF
Saturday, December 18, 2021, 7:00PM
LIGHT OF CHRIST CATHOLIC CHURCH
2176 Marilyn St, Clearwater FL 33765
Coordinators:
Michelle Galaura
Vivien King, Cy Lim
Tina Formeliza
Judith Vidal
Presider: Rev. Fr. Jonathan Loverita
Sunday, December 19, 2021, 7:00PM
PHILIPPINE CULTURAL ENRICHMENT COMPLEX
AKA PHILIPPINE VILLAGE/ PHILFEST GROUNDS
14301 Nine Eagles Drive, Tampa FL 33626
Coordinators:
Philippine Cultural Foundation, Inc.
Ang Bisaya of Florida
Lari Peterson
Emma Barrido
Presider: Rev. Fr. Bill Swengros, JCD
Monday, December 20, 2021, 7:00PM
OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY CATHOLIC CHURCH
2348 Collier Pkwy, Land O’Lakes FL 34639
Coordinators:
Mac and Nilda Liwanag
Presider: Rev. Fr. Jose “Jojo” Tejada
Co-celebrant: Rev. Fr. Jonathan Loverita
Tuesday, December 21, 2021, 7:00PM
ST PAUL CATHOLIC CHURCH
12708 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa FL 33618
Coordinators:
Filipino Ministry
Couples for CHrist
Francis and Pilar Navales
Marilyn Navarro
Merced Villanueva
Presider: Rev. Fr. Bill Swengros, JCD
Co-celebrant: Rev. Fr. Peter Okojie
Wednesday, December 22, 2021, 7:00PM
HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC CHURCH
200 78th Ave NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33702
Coordinators:
Nilda de la Cruz
Sunny Davis
Presider: Rev. Fr. Bob Romaine
Thursday, December 23, 2021, 7:00PM
CORPUS CHRISTI CATHOLIC CHURCH
9715 56th St N, Temple Terrace, FL 33617
Coordinators:
Norma Blanco
Presider: Rev. Fr. Jonathan Loverita
Simbang Gabi Overall Coordinators:
Ed and Susan Bilbao
(813) 503-6460
What is Simbang Gabi?
“Simbang Gabi” is a devotional nine-day series of Masses practiced by Catholics and Aglipayans in the Philippines in anticipation of Christmas and to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary. The masses are held daily from December 16 to December 24 in the early mornings. On the last day of the Simbang Gabi, which is Christmas Eve, the service is instead called Misa de Gallo or “Rooster’s Mass”.
Simbang Gabi originated in the early days of Spanish rule over the Philippines as a practical compromise for farmers, who began work before sunrise to avoid the noonday heat out in the fields. Priests began to say Mass in the early mornings instead of the evening novenas more common in the rest of the Hispanic world. This cherished Christmas custom eventually became a distinct feature of Philippine culture and became a symbol of sharing.
Many thanks to the overall coordinators of this special cultural tradition! See you all at Simbang Gabi 2019!