Tuesday, December 6, 2011

HOLY FAMILY FEAST DAY

YOU ARE ALL INVITED! Please come ...

WHAT: 7th Annual HOLY FAMILY FEAST DAY
WHEN: Sunday JANUARY 1, 2012
WHERE: St Vincent de Paul
1010 Columbia Street, NE
Salem, Oregon 97301-7265


Mass 5:00 pm followed by a reception

Celebrant: Rev. Father Henry Rufo, Nativity of BVM Catholic Church in Rainier,Oregon

For more info please email:

Marie McHone - l562562@hotmail.com * Gigi Wolf - gigi_tkd@yahoo.com
Jocelyn Gran - jocelyn_gran@yahoo.com * Maryann G Gaviola - maryanngaviola@hotmail.com

For music ministry please email Luzerna Cowan - cowan1334@comcast.net

MARAMING SALAMAT PO!

The Grotto’s Christmas Festival of Lights

Christmas Festival of Lights

The Grotto’s Christmas Festival of Lights

2011 Dates:
November 25, 2011 through December 30, 2011 (closed Christmas Day)

Our celebration of Christmas begins the day after Thanksgiving with the opening of our most popular event, The Christmas Festival of Lights. With over 500,000 lights, 150 choral performances, a petting zoo, carolers, puppet shows and hot chocolate this is a special event for the whole family.

Click here http://www.thegrotto.org/christmas/ to learn more about the Christmas Festival of Lights

Faith Cafe Schedule 2012

The Filipino Community has been given an opportunity to serve at the Faith Café, which is located at the First United Methodist Church, on the corner of Watson & 4th, in Beaverton. The building is adjacent to the Beaverton Library. Our community along with the other parishes (St. Pius X, Holy Trinity Parish, St. Cecilia Church, St. John the Fisher Parish, and San Juan Diego Parish) in our vicariate, and the First United Methodist Church serve the least of our brothers and sisters in the Beaverton area and beyond. The table is the new schedule for the different groups in the Filipino Community. Kindly click the schedule to enlarge it.

By the way, a Food Handler’s Certificate is needed for each group to participate, please check this website – http://ora.org/ to get one. The Faith Café needs a copy of your FHC for their record.

Monday, December 5, 2011

Simbang Gabi Westside Schedue





Come, Celebrate and Experience

Simbang Gabi – Christmas Novena Masses

From December 15th through the 23rd, mass begins at 7PM, with the exception of Saturday, December 17th, mass starts at 5:30PM, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church. Bishop Kenneth Steiner will preside on the 23rd.

Rosary will precede a half an hour and refreshments will follow after mass.

This is a Filipino Advent tradition of attending daily mass for nine days before Christmas in preparation for the birth of Christ.

Reconciliation Services will be held on Monday, December 19 and Thursday, December 22. Two of our Filipino Priests, Fr. Maro Escano and Fr. Ysrael Bien will hear confessions from 6:15 PM to 6:50 PM. Everyone are encouraged especially our elderly.

For more information please call Franz & Monette Mallari at 503-207-2217.

Portland Singing Christmas Tree

Dear kababayans:

Thank you very much to all who came and experienced the Singing Christmas Tree with us. Each year, although it may seem that we may sing the same songs, we really don't because the arrangements are different. Of course, there are standards like Handel's Alleluia -- but even that we put a variation in this year! Do you have a clue how many alto voices I've learned for "Joy to the World" in just the five years I've been on the Tree?

I wanted to take this opportunity to share with you some thoughts stemming from my gratitude for this opportunity to be a part of this 49-year old tradition. First, I have a natural affinity because it was started the year I was born, I never thought growing up that my life would lead me here and that I would be part of something so wonderful.

My best experiences from being a part of The Tree comes NOT from singing on stage, but from meeting and talking to audiences after the shows. The performers have a chance to go do meet-and-greets, and I always beeline toward multi-generational families for short chats. I am always thrilled to know how much The Tree means to them, not just as a show, but as a part of their holiday tradition. I have met people who have come since the very beginning, and find the Tree to literally usher in their Christmas season. I have met people who've walked away with joy in their hearts, even when they walked in with so much sadness and sometimes despair.

We have a preview night (also our tech/dress rehearsal) that we open for free (by invite only) to those people who cannot afford tickets. This year was especially moving, as was addressed in our show, because of all the hardships abound. Jim Boehner (our director) is such an inspirational and moving speaker that he leads us in prayer every week before and after we rehearse. This year, more than any other that I've known, the needs brought forth for prayers have been exponential and serious...but together we are able to provide support and caring and comfort for one another.

Yes, the Singing Christmas Tree is not just a show, but a MINISTRY. The other reason why I embrace it is because it gives me a vision of the POSSIBILITY. This organization began in a tiny church, when a group of people gathered to discuss the possibility of bringing something new to Portland…a Singing Christmas Tree! With optimism, zeal, and lots of faith, these “pioneers” began what has now become a renowned holiday tradition in the City of Portland. And this Christmas, this group will be performing in the World Nativity Festival to be held in Bethlehem at Manger Square on December 27th!

The other day, when people noticed that I gathered the Filipinos in the production for a group picture...a bunch went out of their way to say to me "we are so happy and glad that we have you 'pinecones' -- you LITERALLY add color to The Tree!" And I know for a fact that they meant it with much warmth and sincerity!

So, as we move on to our 50th year, maybe more of you will consider supporting us -- even if not to sing, but to volunteer during our performances, we always need all the behind-the-scenes and front lobby help that we can get!

Maraming Salamat! MERRY CHRISTMAS! MALIGAYANG PASKO!

;) Dolly Pangan-Specht

Thursday, December 1, 2011

PASKO INVITATION 2011

HELLO MY DEAR FRIENDS AND FAMILIES:

IT IS CHRISTMAS AGAIN!!!

You are ALL cordially invited to join this very joyful season of giving and forgiving. It is a joy to celebrate the Nine Days Christmas Novena here in Rainier, Oregon. It is a good pilgrimage to see the beautiful semi-life size nativity scene and a very traditional Filipino Parol made of capiz shells and japanese paper. So, please come and join us and bring your cuisine to share. It is good to bring something traditional like the Philippine food and specialties. So, take the chance and let us celebrate.

MALIGAYANG PASKO SA INYONG LAHAT! AT MANIGONG BAGONG TAON!!!

MERRY CHRISTCHRISTMAS AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR 2012!!!

IN JESUS, MARY, AND JOSEPH,

REV FR HENRY RUFO

PASTOR

NATIVITY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY ROMA CATHOLIC PARISH

SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST ROMAN CATHOLIC (MISSION)