Advent -- Two Traditions Take Us Day-by-Day to Christmas
Simbang Gabi - Anticipate Christmas Dec. 15-23
December 7, 2017
Simbang Gabi is a festive Filipino tradition of Masses in preparation for Christmas.
Masses are held in the Rockford Diocese on nine consecutive evenings. On some nights, participants share a festive Filipino meal or other refreshments.
This year, Bishop David Malloy will celebrate Mass in the Fox Valley on Dec. 21 at St. Thomas More Parish in Elgin (see list, below).
The Fox Valley celebration is sponsored by the Fox Valley Filipino American Catholic Ministry.
In the Rockford area, a rosary will be offered each evening 20 minutes before Mass starts (see list, below).
A potluck is planned after the closing Mass Dec. 23 at St. Bridget Parish in Loves Park. Organizers are encouraging those who have them to wear a “barong” for males and “Filipiniana” for females.
Participants are asked to bring Filipino foods and desserts to share.
There will also be a short Christmas program.
The Rockford area events are sponsored by the Greater Rockford Filipino American Catholic Community.
Simbang Gabi in the Rockford Area
Dec. 15 - 6:30 p.m. Poor Clares Corpus Christi Monastery, 2111 S. Main St., Rockford
Dec. 16 - 6:30 p.m. Holy Family, 4401 Highcrest Road, Rockford
Dec. 17 - 6:30 p.m. St. Rita, 6254 Valley Knoll Dr., Rockford
Dec. 18 - 6:30 p.m. St. James, 428 N. Second St., Rockford
Dec. 19 - 6:30 p.m. St. James, 402 Church St., Belvidere
Dec. 20 - 6:30 p.m. St. Bridget, 600 Clifford Ave., Loves Park
Dec. 21 - 6:30 p.m. St. Rita, 6254 Valley Knoll Dr., Rockford
Dec. 22 - 6:30 p.m. St. Bernadette, 2400 Bell Ave., Rockford
Dec. 23 - 6:30 p.m. St. Bridget, 600 Clifford Ave., Loves Park; potluck dinner follows, bring a Filipino dish and dessert to share
Simbang Gabi in the Fox Valley
Dec. 15 - 7 p.m. St. Thomas the Apostle (with St. Elizabeth Ann Seton)
Dec. 16 - 7 p.m. St. Mary, 10307 Dundee Road, Huntley
Dec. 17 - 7 p.m. St. John Neumann, 2900 E. Main St., St. Charles
Dec. 18 - 7 p.m. St. Patrick, 6N491 Crane Road, St. Charles
Dec. 19 - 7 p.m. St. Margaret Mary, 111 S. Hubbard St., Algonquin
Dec. 20 - 7 p.m. SS. Peter and Paul, 410 N. First St., Cary
Dec. 21 - 7 p.m. St. Thomas More, 215 Thomas More Dr., Elgin, with Bishop David Malloy
Dec. 22 - 7 p.m. St. Mary, 312 Lincoln Ave., Woodstock
Dec. 22 - 7 p.m. Christ the Teacher University Parish, 512 Normal Road, DeKalb
Dec. 23 - 7 p.m. St. Catherine of Siena, 845 W. Main St., Dundee