Filipino Community

The Filipino Community was established for the primary purpose of planning and coordinating Filipino sponsored activities at SJA Parish. These activities are designed to promote fellowship and to share with the parish community the Philippine culture and tradition.  

Every year, we host an evening of Simbang Gabi at SJA. This is an inter-parish celebration of nine evening masses before Christmas, by the participating parishes in the Archdiocese of Chicago. We also host Filipino masses at the 10:30 a.m. mass on the last Sunday of March, June, and September. During these celebrations, the Filipino volunteers serve in the liturgy, in addition to the Filipino Choir.

The following are responsible for planning and performing the activities:

Darla and Jim Abano
Elsa and Ned Barin (Director, Filipino Choir)
Juliet and Ron Barnes
Annie and Ito Gameng
Lucy and Pat Napatal
Velma and Oscar Olivares
Cathy Racela (Overall Coordinator)

Simbang Gabi Celebration

The Filipino Community, in collaboration with the Archdiocese of Chicago, celebrates Simbang Gabi in December. Simbang Gabi, which means “Evening Mass,” is a Philippine custom of gathering for the celebration of the Eucharist in preparation for the birth of Jesus, traditionally celebrated by a Novena of Advent Masses leading up to Christmas. The liturgical mass at St. Joan of Arc starts at 5:30 pm on the Saturday before Christmas Eve, followed by a reception and a program of songs and dances. Asian and Filipino food is served; songs and dances depicting Philippine culture and those pertaining to various regions of the Philippines are featured.

Contact Coordinator Cathy Racela through the Parish Office 847.673.0409 for more information.