One way to gather the pews is to celebrate the Simbang Gabi Mass.
People filled the pews Saturday for evening Mass at St. Mary of Vernon Catholic Church in Indian Creek.
Simbang Gabi, a Filipino Christmas tradition, is celebrated annually in the Catholic community until December 23, with each day having a specific theme. The masses began on December 15th.
The theme of Saturday's mass at Indian Creek was “Nostalgia – Homesickness.”
Simbang Gabi is a nine-day novena to Mary, the Blessed Mother, celebrated by Filipino Catholics around the world with masses, usually at dawn. Evening masses are also held.
“Simbang Gabi reminds us that the beauty of Christmas lies in the belief that light shines in the darkness, and every trial is an opportunity to anticipate God doing something new,” said Cardinal Blaise Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago.
“As our Filipino brothers and sisters share this cherished tradition with the entire church, we are reminded that the birth of Christ brings people together in unity, joy and hope,” he added.
Following the Mass, a reception was held at the parish's Rev. John P. Finnegan Center.
A highlight was the five children who portrayed angels during the mass. The young people came from Mundelein, Gurnee and Kenosha, Wisconsin.
Annette Liwanag of Vernon Hills served as the ministry coordinator for St. Mary Simbang Gabi.
“At St. Mary of Vernon Church, we follow a modified version of Simbang Gabi, which means night mass,” Liwanag said. “Why is this important? For me, as an immigrant, it serves as a cultural and social connection with Filipinos living abroad.
“It connects us to home, culture and identity,” she continued. “It brings family and friends together in a festive atmosphere where we serve signature desserts such as kakanin, share stories, give gifts and strengthen our bonds and sense of belonging.
“Most Filipinos are Catholics and our religious traditions play a significant role in our lives,” Liwanag added.
Liwana said the mass series serves as “spiritual preparation and devotion, and I try to attend masses in nine different churches. Every parish that I know of, if there are Filipino parishioners, celebrates Simbang Gabi.
The Rev. Ignatius Anaele, pastor of St. Mary of Vernon Catholic Church, and the Rev. Radley Alcantara, associate pastor of St. Clement Parish in Chicago, celebrated the Mass.
Alcantara, the son of Filipino immigrants, served at St. Mary's Church in Lake Forest, St. Anastasia Parish in Waukegan and was a chaplain at Carmel Catholic High School in Mundelein. Alcantara entered St. Mary of the Lakes/Mundelein University Seminary and was ordained by Cardinal Cupich in 2017.
Several Lake County parishes held Simbang Gabi Masses, including churches in Waukegan, Wadsworth, Round Lake, Grayslake, Lake Villa, Gurnee and Old Mill Creek.
“I think it’s great,” Alcantara said. “I think it helps, especially immigrant people, Filipinos who left the Philippines to stay connected to home.
“It helps us bring a piece of home, helps us come together as a Filipino community and honor our traditions,” he said.
Anaele said, “This is very important because there is a large Filipino community here in the parish. And St. Mary of Vernon Parish is also becoming a multicultural parish. We are celebrating diversity.”
According to the archdiocese, the origins of Simbang Gabi can be traced back to the arrival of Spanish missionaries in the Philippines.
Filipinos celebrated pre-Christmas masses before dawn, known by the Spanish name “Misa de Gallo” or “Cock Mass.”
Simbang Gabi precedes Misa de Gallo on Christmas Eve to announce the birth of Jesus Christ.
