Simbang Gabi pre-Christmas Novena of Masses held in Saskatoon

By Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News

A beloved tradition from the Philippines continued in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon, with evening Mass being held in different city parishes over nine days from Dec. 15 to 23, 2019.

The 2019 schedule included:

5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15 at St. Paul Co-Cathedral, 720 Spadina Crescent
7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 16 at Holy Spirit, 114 Kingsmere Place
7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17 at St. Francis Xavier, 222 Willow Street
7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 18 at St. Philip Neri, 1902 Munroe Avenue
7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19 at St. Anne, 217 Lenore Drive
7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20 at St. Mary, 211 Avenue O South
7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21 at St. Patrick, 3339 Centennial Crescent
7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22 at St. Peter the Apostle, 1121 Northumberland Ave.
7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 23 at Cathedral of the Holy Family, 123 Nelson Road – With Bishop Mark Hagemoen.

There was a potluck meal after every Mass, with those attending invited to bring something to share. The language of the celebration is Tagalog, a national language of the Philippines, with some English.

Donations were collected for Prison Ministry, for The Bridge, and for Saskatoon Pregnancy Options Centre.

Lea Mariano coordinated Simbang Gabi this year, with photography by Roland Macana, and choir direction by Robert Enriquez.

Pope Francis celebrates Simbang Gabi Mass at Vatican for first time: LINK

Filipino Catholics find comfort and connection in Simbang Gabi tradition: GRANDIN MEDIA