Simbang Gabi sa Katedral 2008 (Dawn Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral, NYC!)

See the RED STAR? [1st and 2nd pictures] That’s the insignia used by ushers, in different shades to call the attention of those who have the corresponding color of stars of those attendees so they’d be given guaranteed seats!!! I’m simply dumbfounded at how the hardworking organizers of this year’s Dawn Mass at St Patrick’s decided to come up with a set-up like this. My friend Bob & myself, who managed to get inside St Patrick’s before 6:30pm Simbang Gabi mass (Dawn Mass), & got ourselves seated close to the left side facing the altar were asked by a Caucasian looking guy who’s a member of the staff of the Cathedral, to go out again, and line up with the others who were waiting outside for the Dawn Mass. I FREAKED OUT, and insisted I have the right to keep my seat. I was just prevailed to change my mind, after a Filipina asked us again to move to some other seats, as most front pews are reserved for other attendees of this Mass.

I fumed really mad, even my friend Philip, (whom I saw later busy with his volunteer work as an usher, before Bob & I moved to another seat) looked helpless. In fairness, he called up earlier inviting me, and reminding me that only those with “stars” would be given guaranteed best seats. Upon seeing me there quite mad, he just said, there would be vacant seats actually, as the Cathedral won’t be deluged by Filipino attendees, anyway. Some other Filipinos were also disgusted by this set-up. It’s just like being reminded of certain practices back in the Philippines, where certain seats are reserved for the elites, those who are deemed to be powerful, and has connections with influential people!

We’re in a Mass, & it should be “first come, first served” policy! The least that the SGsK organizers of this “Simbang Gabi” event could have done was just to announce right away on their website, for those who are attending that seats would have to be reserved, at least by groups, or by affiliations! This approach is simply, purely elitist, that smacks of exclusivity! It goes against the very essence of being Christian, as you’re admonished to love your neighbors as you love yourself….what if you’re seated with someone you don’t expect the least to be your seatmate while in Mass…the least that you can do is to accept and respect the person, and not plan to make sure you get seats for yourself for some unknown reason (& just for your comfort)!

I cooled down eventually, went on to take pictures, and proceeded to hear mass. The ushers later distributed sweets in small Christmas bags at the end of the mass. The usher who was in charge of the pews where we found ourselves eventually was apologetic, as she understood the situation. We hugged each other, and let “bygones be bygones.”

I also suggest that next time, please refrain from using the “STAR” symbol, for gatherings like this, even though Filipinos usually understand this as symbol of Christmas, among others. However, I’ve observed from those who are members of Jewish communities, who react to it with silent disdain…apparently the “star” reminds them of the “Star of David,” that can bring horrible memories of the Holocaust.

Other photos, with descriptions, follow:

Most Rev. Antonietto Cabajog, [3rd picture] (more about Bishop Cabajog? pls click this link!) Bishop of Surigao, Philippines, was the principal celebrant of this year’s Dawn Mass.

An icon of “Our Lady of Manhattan” [4th picture] stands on the left side, while the Bishop walks up the elevated altar, with back on screen. The photo was taken from the TV sets installed inside St Patrick’s.

Deputy Consul General Melita Sta. Maria-Thomeczek [5th picture] (you happen to want to use the website of the Consulate General of the Philippines in New York? pls click this link!) did the First Reading – Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11

Ms Corazon Reyes, [6th picture] a registered nurse, did the Second Reading – 2 Peter 3:8-14

Deacon Clodualdo M Leonida [7th picture] (he’s been a deacon since 2005 in New Jersey. pls see this link to a PDF file!) read the Gospel ( according to St Mark Chapter 1 verses 1 to 8 )

Rev Jaime Noel Deslate, Psy. D., [8th picture] talked of his homily (he’s joked about his being a priest from Capiz in the Philippines, being a place disreputably known for stories on “dracula”-like creatures! pls see this PDF file link for more info on him!)

Rev Joseph G. Marabe, JCD, [9th picture] (more about Fr Marabe? pls see this news link!) gave “Words of Thanks.”

There was a “SGsK Bible Quiz” introduction before the mass ended, with Ms Elvira Go, [10th picture] Chairperson of Manila Bible Quiz Team, who flew in from Manila, describing all about the quiz.

Ms. Lumen Castaneda, [11th picture] Chairperson, SGsK Bible Quiz, announced the champion family winners, with 3 families winning top prizes!

It’s been a successful gathering[12th & 13 pictures]!!! Congratulations to the organizers, supporters, & to those who attended!

Participating Choirs
Our Lady of Solace, Bronx

Ugnayan Filipino choir of St. Francis of Assisi in Manhattan

Our Lady of Angels’ Choir, Bronx

Filipino Choirs of St. Francis de Sales, St. Lucy, and St. Cecilia’s in Uptown, Manhattan

Divine Mercy Choir of St. Bartholomew’s in Elmhurst, Queens

Filipino Choir of Oxon Hill, Maryland

Himig Silangan Choir – Filipino American Association of Western Connecticut (FAAWC)

Laksambayan Filipino Choir, Our Lady of Pompei

Attending a Prayer Gathering On My Father’s 3rd Death Anniversary

What else can I say on my Father’s 3rd Death Anniversary last November 2nd, I got myself joined the following:
1) attend the Mass, as it was also a Sunday;
2) attend a prayer gathering where my friend invited me to pray and participate with other Filipino prayer devotees;
3) get to join an intimate food gathering after the prayers where we got to taste the best of Filipino home-cooked food set buffet-style at the hosts’ dining table, plus
4) get myself enamored by the beautiful set-up, including floral arrangements by one of NYC’s best floral designers (under Preston Bailey’s event designers:(more about him?)), my friend Oscar, & the wonderful looking religious icons where we gathered around during the prayers, plus plus
5) a surprised birthday celebrant from one of those of my friends’ Philip/Oscar/Lilet’s inner circle in their apartment situated in Stuyvesant Town in Manhattan.

Of course, this may sound so religious, yet I’m delighted to have been part of these activities. Just take it as it is. I’d just like to describe how I got myself loaded with something of the beautiful and memorable that took place on my Father’s 3rd Death anniversary.

Call it “icon worship” if you feel like doing so, yet there’s something very appealing at how the images look like when bedecked with awesome floral arrangements. The image of the Virgin of Fatima (more about the Virgin of Fatima?) is a faithful replica of the very image found in Portugal. Note, as well, the lighted candles which were burning in memory of those souls who have departed, still very much beloved.

The prayer gathering takes place as part of the weekly tour of 3 religious icons (representing the Crucified Christ, The Baby Jesus, [or Sto. Nino, (curious about the best known statue in Cebu, Philippines?)] the Blessed Virgin Mary) as a group that visits households mostly by Filipinos (as far as I’m aware) in NYC. The leaders must be doing this 52 times all year through, perhaps with some breaks, and which practices I noticed must have started somewhere in Mandaluyong in Metro Manila(more about this region?), the 12-million heavily populated capital region of the Philippines. The prayers, lasting nearly an hour as guided by prayer books, cover praises, lamentations, special requests, and those topics that include asking for blessings for both the Philippines and the United States. I’ve felt that my prayers are many times better heard whenever I get to join these prayer gatherings, every chance I got. I presume that Hispanics and other people following Catholic traditions also have their own versions, but may be attended mainly by those who belong to the same race or native background. Amen.