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Community News
DECEMBER 2014
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Simbang Gabi by Robert Ganaden
“Simbang Gabi” is a Filipino Christmas tradition, it is a series of nine (9) dawn masses, the mass starts as early as 4:00 a.m. It begins on December 16 and ends on the midnight of the 24th of December, which is the midnight mass. This tradition was introduced by the Spanish friars to allow the farmers to hear mass before going to the fields early in the morning. Simbang Gabiis also known by its popular Spanish name as the Misa de Gallo, or “mass of the rooster.” In the olden days, the church bells start ringing as early as three o’ clock waking people up so they can get ready for the four o’clock dawn mass. The Roman Catholic churches across the nation start to open their doors shortly before the break of dawn to welcome the faithfuls to the Simbang Gabi mass. Today, the tradition of Simbang Gabi continues whether you live in the city or in the province, although it is celebrated in new ways. Most churches are decorated with colourful lights and beautiful parol lanterns to welcome the church goers.
The Nativity Scene or “Belen” is displayed in preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. It shows Baby Jesus in a manger with Mother Mary and Saint Joseph. There are shepherds and farm animals. A complete scenario of the Belen includes the three wise men carrying their gifts to Infant Jesus and the star of Bethlehem that guided them in their journey. Shortly after the mass, traditional delicacies awaits the church goers, there are food stalls right outside the church, popular favourites are bibingka, puto (rice cakes), puto bungbong, suman sa pasko, suman sa ibos and usually served with tea or coffee. Hot pandesal (breakfast roll) are also very popular. Simbang Gabi is not just a tradition that is celebrated because we need to do so but it is the spiritual preparation for Christmas, in commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. The Simbang Gabi is also seen as a way of requesting blessings from the Lord, as most people believe that if one completes the whole series of nine dawn
masses, wishes will be granted. Over the years, Filipino communities have made some changes in the celebration of Simbang Gabi, some urban parishes now celebrates Misa de Gallo around 7- 8 in the evening in order to accommodate the needs of the members of the community who have different work schedules. The Simbang Gabi tradition is also practiced by Catholic Filipinos communities who are living elsewhere in the world. No matter how or when this celebration takes place, the Simbang Gabi provides a strong indication of the depth of Catholicism among the Filipino people. Let’s encourage our friends, not only Filipinos but Catholics in general – to practice Simbang Gabi because it is a great source of spiritual nourishment as we prepare for the celebration of the birth of our Lord Jesus. continued from page 1 Attached is the updated schedule for the Simbang Gabi this year for this program by submitting commitment to build a in Calgary, Airdrie and notices of assessment issued fast and flexible economic Okotoks. by the Canadian Revenue immigration system.
What’s New in 2015?
2014 Simbang Gabi Schedule (Calgary, Airdrie and Okotoks) DATE
VENUE / HOST
ADDRESS
CAROLING
MASS
1
Sunday, November 30, 2014
St. Albert The Great Church
10 Prestwick Dr. SE, Calgary
6:00 PM
2
Friday, December 05, 2014
Holy Spirit Church
10827 - 24 St. SE, Calgary
6:00 PM
6:30 PM
3
Saturday, December 06, 2014
St. Anthony's Church / CFC
5340 - 4 St. SW, Calgary
6:30 PM
7:00 PM 6:30 PM
4
Sunday, December 07, 2014
5
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
6 7
Friday, December 12, 2014
8
Saturday, December 13, 2014
Friday, December 12, 2014
9
Saturday, December 13, 2014
10
Sunday, December 14, 2014
11 12 13
6:30 PM
Ste. Famille Church/ El Shaddai
1717 - 5 St. SW, Calgary
6:00 PM
St. Luke's Church / CFC
1566 Northmount Dr. NW, Calgary
5:30 PM
6:00 PM
St. Luke's Church
1566 Northmount Dr. NW, Calgary
5:30 PM
6:00 PM
St. Joseph Church / K of C
640 - 19 Ave., NW, Calgary
7:00 PM
7:30 PM
St. James Church / CFC
338040 – 32nd St E, Okotoks
6:00 PM
6:30 PM
St. Patrick's Church / CFC
1414 Shawnessy Blvd. SW, Calgary
6:30 PM
7:00 PM
St. Bernadette's Church
7103 - 20A St. SE, Calgary
5:00 PM
5:30 PM
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
St. Luke's Church
1566 Northmount Dr. NW, Calgary
5:30 PM
6:00 PM
Monday, December 15, 2014
St. Mark's Church
5552 Madigan Dr. NE, Calgary
6:30 PM
7:00 PM
Tuesday, December 16, 2014
St. Luke's Church
1566 Northmount Dr. NW, Calgary
5:30 PM
6:00 PM 7:00 PM
14
Tuesday, December 16, 2014
St. Mark's Church
5552 Madigan Dr. NE, Calgary
6:30 PM
15
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
St. Luke's Church
1566 Northmount Dr. NW, Calgary
5:30 PM
6:00 PM
16
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
St. Mark's Church
5552 Madigan Dr. NE, Calgary
6:30 PM
7:00 PM
17
Thursday, December 18, 2014
St. Mark's Church
5552 Madigan Dr. NE, Calgary
6:30 PM
7:00 PM
18
Thursday, December 18, 2014
St. Luke's Church / CFC
1566 Northmount Dr. NW, Calgary
6:30 PM
7:00 PM
19
Friday, December 19, 2014
Ascension Church
1100 Berkshire Blvd. NW, Calgary
6:30 PM
7:00 PM
20
Friday, December 19, 2014
St. Luke's Church
1566 Northmount Dr. NW, Calgary
5:30 PM
6:00 PM
21
Friday, December 19, 2014
St. Mark's Church
5552 Madigan Dr. NE, Calgary
6:30 PM
7:00 PM
22
Friday, December 19, 2014
St. Paul's Church / CFC
1305 Main St, Airdrie
6:30 PM
7:00 PM
23
Saturday, December 20, 2014
St. Mark's Church
5552 Madigan Dr. NE, Calgary
6:30 PM
7:00 PM
24
Saturday, December 20, 2014
St. Thomas More Church
15 Templebow Rd. NE, Calgary
6:30 PM
7:00 PM
25
Saturday, December 20, 2014
Sacred Heart Church / NLCCC
1307 - 14 St. SW, Calgary
6:30 PM
7:00 PM
26
Sunday, December 21, 2014
Sacred Heart Church / FCSDC
1307 - 14 St. SW, Calgary
6:30 PM
7:00 PM
27
Sunday, December 21, 2014
St. Mark's Church
5552 Madigan Dr. NE, Calgary
7:00 PM
7:30 PM
28
Monday, December 22, 2014
St. Luke's Church
1566 Northmount Dr. NW, Calgary
5:30 PM
6:00 PM
29
Monday, December 22, 2014
St. Mark's Church
5552 Madigan Dr. NE, Calgary
6:30 PM
7:00 PM
30
Tuesday, December 23, 2014
St. Luke's Church / CFC
1566 Northmount Dr. NW, Calgary
6:30 PM
7:00 PM
31
Tuesday, December 23, 2014
St. Mark's Church
5552 Madigan Dr. NE, Calgary
6:30 PM
7:00 PM
** Note: Reception and fellowship (Potluck) will follow after each Mass
Agency (CRA) in support of their sponsorship. Sponsors must also demonstrate they have met the minimum necessary income level for three consecutive years. If married or in a common-law relationship, the income of both persons can be included; The sponsor must sign an undertaking to repay any provincial social assistance benefits paid to the sponsor and accompanying family member(s), if any, for a period of 20 years, if necessary. If the sponsor resides in Quebec, an additional ‘undertaking’ must be signed. New Immigrant Investor Venture Capital Pilot Program Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander announced that Canada will unveil a pilot program in January 2015 to attract experienced business immigrants who can actively invest in the Canadian economy, stimulating innovation, economic growth and job creation. The new Immigrant Investor Venture Capital Pilot Program is part of a series of transformational changes that build on the Government’s
In addition to making an investment of $2 million for a period of 15 years and having a net worth of $10 million, immigrant investors will be required to meet certain program eligibility criteria related to language and education, and have proven business or investment experience. This will ensure that immigrant investors will have a strong impact on the Canadian economy, and that those admitted for permanent residence will be well prepared to integrate into the Canadian business landscape and society. This new pilot program will begin accepting applications in late January 2015 and will provide a pathway to permanent residence for approximately 50 immigrant investors and their families. The creation of the Immigrant Investor Venture Capital Pilot Program fulfills the Government of Canada’s commitment in Economic Action Plan 2014 to create a more focused and effective pilot program that will ensure that immigrants who come to Canada deliver meaningful benefits to our economy.
www.diaryofilipino.com | diaryofilipino@gmail.com | Calgary 403.708.7191 | Edmonton 780.800.9792
Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program The province of Saskatchewan will have 5,500 immigration nominations accepted in 2015, an increase of 775 (or 16 per cent) on the 2014 total. The government of Saskatchewan, which had been seeking an increase in its Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) for Canadian immigration, has stated that the increased quota will help to alleviate labour market shortages. Saskatchewan currently has the lowest unemployment rate of all the Canadian provinces. The nominations will be made through the SINP’s new Saskatchewan Express category, which will be announced on January 2 and come into operation in early 2015, along with the federal government’s new Express Entry immigration selection system. “The benefits include faster federal processing of permanent residence applications, and a new avenue for businesses looking to fill critical labour market shortages through the recruitment of foreign workers,” said Saskatchewan Minister Responsible for Immigration, Jeremy Harrison, in a press release.