Simbanggabi 2016
Simbang Gabi is now on its third year in the Tampa Bay Area! Mark the following dates and participating churches in 2016:
Thursday, December 15, 2016, 7:00PM
St. Patrick Catholic Church
4520 South Manhatten Ave, Tampa, FL 33611
Coordinators: Tito and Nilda de la Cruz, (727) 239-6490
Presider: Rev. Father Jim Angert, T.O.R.
Friday, December 16, 2016, 7:00PM
Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church
2348 Collier Pkwy, Land O’Lakes, FL 34639
Coordinators: Mac and Nida Liwanag, (571) 239-5247
Presider: Rev. Msgr. Ronald B. Aubin, J.C.L.
Saturday, December 17, 2016, 7:30PM
Espiritu Sancto Catholic Church
2405 Philippe Pkw, Safety Harbor, FL 34695
Coordinators: Rocky and Emma Barrido, (727) 967-6758
Presider: Fr. Len Piotrowski
Sunday, December 18, 2015, 7:30PM
St. Paul Catholic Church
12708 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, FL 33618
Coordinators: Sto. Nino Shrine USA and Marian Consecrated Group of Tampa Bay
Dr. Flor Alquizola
Presider: Rev. Fr. Bill Swengros
Monday, December 19, 2016, 7:00PM
Light of Christ Catholic Church
2176 Marilyn St., Clearwater, FL 33765
Coordinators: Michelle Fortaliza and Cy Lim, (727) 810-8524
Presider: Rev. Fr. Bill Wilson
Tuesday, December 20, 2016, 7:30PM
Christ the King Catholic Church
821 S. Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, FL 33609
Coordinators: Adela and Ken Welch, (813) 833-4225
Presider: Rev. Fr. Glenn Diaz
Wednesday, December 21, 2016, 7:00PM
St. Mark The Evangelist Catholic Church
9724 Cross Creek Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33647
Coordinators: Mel and Marites Ebrada, Susan Edwards
Joe and Letty Aclan and Filipino Choir, (813) 971-1210
Presider: Rev. Fr. David DeJulio
Thursday, December 22, 2016, 7:00PM
Blessed Sacrament Church
7001 12th Ave S, Tampa, FL 33619
Coordinators: Nicia Rubio, Ed and leila Taghap, (813) 300-3140
Presider: Rev. Fr. Kazimierz Domek
Friday, December 23, 2016, 8:00PM
Incarnation Catholic Church
5124 Gateway Dr, Tampa, FL 33615
Coordinators: Art and Joy Barlaan, (813) 918-0611
Presider: Rev. Fr. Michael Zuszynski
For more information about Simbanggabi in Tampa 2016, please contact the overall coordinators, Ed and Susan Bilbao at (813) 503-6460.
What is Simbang Gabi?
“Simbang Gabi” is a devotional nine-day series of Masses practised 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”. The 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.