By Robert & Dolly de Leon
The diocese and several of its parishes celebrated the Feast Day of Santo Niño during the weekend of Jan. 17-18. Bishop Alberto Rojas led the diocesan celebration at St. Patrick Church in Moreno Valley on Jan. 18 by presiding over a Mass that was attended by over 800 parishioners and guests. The Mass was concelebrated by Father Leonard De Pasquale and Father Octavio Cortez, parish pastor. St. Patrick was filled to capacity for this joyful celebration of the Feast of Santo Niño, a vibrant gathering of faith and culture. Santo Niño’s Feast Day is a symbol of the birth of Catholicism in the Philippines more than 500 years ago. The Mass also coincided with the parish Santo Niño Ministry’s 36th Anniversary.
The Filipino community came in full participation, dressed in traditional attire—Barong Tagalog for the men and Saya or Bolero dresses for the women—adding color and cultural richness to the occasion. The celebration opened beautifully with a liturgical dance performed by the youth girl’s group, setting a reverent and joyful tone for the Mass. The choir sang beautifully in English and Tagalog.
Following the liturgy, a potluck fellowship was held and proved to be remarkable, thanks to the generous contributions of many families. A wide variety of beloved Filipino dishes were shared, including lechon, pancit, lumpia, adobo, and more.
Heartfelt thanks are extended to the organizers and to everyone who contributed their time, talent, and resources to make this Santo Niño Feast Day a truly successful and memorable celebration.
Other parishes celebrated a Mass in honor of Santo Niño including Our Lady of Lourdes, Montclair; St. Mary, Fontana; St. Joan of Arc, Blythe; St. Matthew, Corona; St. Ann, Needle; Sacred Heart, Rancho Cucamonga; Our Lady of the Assumption, San Bernardino and The Holy Name of Jesus, Redlands. The Diocesan Vocations Ministry hosted a Santo Niño Mass celebrated by Bishop Emeritus Gerald Barnes at Christ the Redeemer Church, Grand Terrace on Jan. 11.
Robert & Dolly de Leon are parishioners and leaders of the Santo Nino Prayer Group at St. Patrick Church, Moreno Valley.