Local Catholic Filipino community to celebrate 25th anniversary with Mass and reception

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SALT LAKE CITY — Twenty-five years ago, Utah’s Catholic Filipino community decided to solidify their presence by forming a group dedicated to sharing their traditions.

“The name ‘Misang Bayan’ was coined as the name for the Utah Filipino Catholic community, derived from the literal translation for ‘community Mass,’” said Marina Fernandez, the group’s coordinator.

With permission from the Diocese of Salt Lake City, “We the Filipino Catholics here in the State of Utah were given the privilege of celebrating the Mass in our own native tongue,” Fernandez said.

As part of the Misang Bayan responsibilities, the community wants in the years to come to preserve, maintain and continue sharing Filipino traditions, values and good practices.

“With it comes the fostering of fellowship and strengthening the sense of community among Filipinos (Catholic and our non-Catholic friends and family) here in Utah,” Fernandez said.

Perhaps the most visible of those traditions is the annual Simbang Gabi novena just prior to Christmas, when the Filipino community attends Mass on each of the nine days leading up to Dec. 25. A meal of traditional foods usually is served after each Mass, and the Misang Bayan invites the entire Catholic community to join them for the Mass and meal.

Other Misang Bayan events and activities include bilingual celebrations of the Holy Eucharist that are held every first Sunday of the month at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Magna, annual celebrations of the Feast of Santo Niño, the Fiesta Misang Bayan and the Pasko ng Bayan, known as the Dec 25th Mass. In addition, they celebrate the feast days of Filipino saints such as San Lorenzo Ruiz and San Pedro Calungsod.

The Misang Bayan also celebrates the Stations of the Cross during Lent and participates in the annual diocesan Intercultural Marian Celebration. Every two years they celebrate the Flores de Mayo/Santacruzan.

Every couple of weeks the Misang Bayan members, along with other members of the Catholic community, gather to pray a Block Rosary to Our Lady of Fatima.

“Everyone is welcome to come and join in all of these celebrations,” Fernandez said.

The first Filipino Mass in Utah was celebrated on April 6, 1997 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church.

Fernandez said that the Misang Bayan has had the blessing of having many Filipino priests ministering in Utah, including Bishop Oscar A. Solis. Others now ministering in the diocese are Father  Noel Ancheta, hospital chaplain at Primary Children’s/ University of Utah/Huntsman Cancer Institute/Shriner’s; Fr. Ariel Durian, administrator of St. Peter Parish in American Fork; Fr. Rodelio Ignacio, parochial vicar of St. Mary of the Assumption Parish in Park City and St. Lawrence Mission in Heber; Fr. Robin Cruz, parochial vicar of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Logan; Fr. Joshua Santos, pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Ogden; and  Fr. Butch Omana, chaplain of Christ Prince of Peace at Hill Air Force Base in Layton.