It ‘s Christmas time once again! The past months had been dedicated to planning how to spend the upcoming Christmas season. Those who are involved in community organizations, Christmas is such an important occasion to celebrate. Serving the choir made us pre-occupied with scheduled practices especially the implementation of the New Roman Missal. Responses and songs are done in Gregorian chant, which is music for the soul. The chant brought me back to the hands of time, as a teen who would sing during the High Mass in Latin Chants, with Father John Rizzato, an Italian Salesian Priest, embodied heart and soul of the liturgy.
The firstweekends of December were spent mostly in gatherings of friends. Community organizations like Maillardville Residents Association (MRA), a group of residents who aims to build community by advocating safe and healthy neighbourhood through communication and collaborative initiatives. What used to be populated by Francophone community, the place had changed with the influx of people from diverse culture.
Recent road development along Marmont Street in Coquitlam and Lougheed Hi-way opened the endless possibilities for all businesses to thrive in the vicinity. Shopping at Ikea, Home Depot, Winners, Toy’sRUs, Mark’s; coffee and meals-in-a-jiffy from Tim Horton’s and Wendy’s fast foods were made easier.
The third week December marked the start of ‘Simbang Gabi’ (Dawn Mass) tradition. Filipino Vancouverites are fortunate to make this an on-going tradition as organized by Sambayanang Pilipino (The Filipino Worshipping Community) Society of BC. Mass is being held in different parishes in Vancouver and Lower Mainland. Under the guidance of increasing numbers of Filipino priests as Spiritual Directors, Sambayang Pilipino Society of BC had established respect and recognition from Archdiocese of Vancouver where the first day of Novena Mass will be held on Thursday, December 15 at 7:30 pm at The Holy Rosary Cathedral,Vancouver. For more information visit www. sambayanangpilipino.org
Archdiocese of Vancouver recognizes Philippines as a mainly Catholic country and known for its rich pageantry around the Advent and Christmas season. The B.C. Catholic Newspaper www.bccatholic. ca dated December 5,2011 issue featured a color front-page photo of a beautiful advance Advent fireworks and a well-lit giant Christmas tree which was situated along the bay walk in Palawan. This photo was taken by journalist, Reuters.
Unique food discoveries in and out of our kitchen will a part of the highlight of any Christmas celebration. Homemade pineapple glazed ham, Marca Pina Queso de Bola,Puto Bumbong, Ube Halaya, Suman at Latik and,of course, piping hot Chocolate eh (thick chocolate drink thicken with real ground peanut for extra richness and flavour).
“Say Merry Christmas” to everyone, it is not just a holiday!
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