Re: Simbang Gabi Zoom

[Rogelio Rigor]

Sharing:

The earliest parol wasn’t meant as a Christmas decoration at all. It was a functional bamboo-and-paper lantern created to guide worshippers on dark pre-dawn roads during Simbang Gabi in the 1600s—long before electricity reached the islands. Its light was practical, not decorative.

\ Over time, communities began competing to make their parols brighter, bigger, and more colorful. What started as a simple guiding lamp evolved into the dazzling star lantern tradition we know today, eventually giving rise to Pampanga’s Giant Lantern Festival.

#ParolOrigins #SimbangGabi #PinoyChristmas #PHFolklore

On Mon, Dec 1, 2025 at 12:38 AM Rogelio Rigor <rri...@gmail.com> wrote:

Greetings Simbang Gabi Team!

We've rounded up the First Sunday of Advent with Deacon Steve announcing today the upcoming Simbang Gabi and the Parol-making workshop this next Sunday, the 7th. 

To finalize things, wondering if folks are up to having a zoom meet on either Wednesday evening (5-6pm) or Friday evening (5-6pm). Thursday evening, 12/4 6-8pm is the first SG choir rehearsal. 

A few updates: 

- frames and children's "parol-itos" for the 12/7 parol-making workshop are ready. Deacon Steve has been updated (since the Bulletin announcement says it starts at 12n) that parol-making will begin AFTER the 9am mass (mostly children and maybe some adults) and AFTER the 11am mass to go until 1pm at the latest. The venue set-up will be prior to the 9am mass. I will be there to assist in the table set-up.

-As mentioned, SG choir will have its first rehearsal on Thursday, 12/4.

-Opening introduction prior to the mass is Mercy, to orient the parishioners what Simbang Gabi is. A written, short piece about Simbang Gabi is to be submitted this week to be placed in the bulletin (Jen has already submitted an announcement); Josie Morales will be our First Reader (if there is an Ilocano version of the Reading is ok; otherwise, it will be in Tagalog) and we have yet to find a Second Reader. 

-During the parol-making workshop, folks will be asked if they want the parol they have made for themselves to take part in the processing of the Parish Parol. At the workshop, we should be able to get an idea of whether we will have enough folks who will take part in the processing-in, similar to what St. Therese has traditionally done with their processing-in. 

-Social Hall set-up for the 14th will be discussed with Caprice. 

-Food arrangements are currently being made and will be reported at our zoom meeting. As discussed in the previous meeting, the SG team will start fundraising for future SG expenses. Also, during the SG mass and parol workshop, a separate Philippine Disaster Relief Donation Box will be in place for folks willing to donate. 

-The buntings have also been secured. 

-Post mass cultural presentations have been confirmed: Filipiniana Dance Troupe for 3 dances and the Barriotix acoustic ensemble for guitar "haranas" and "kundimans". The social hall PA system will be used. 

 More updates to be shared at our upcoming zoom meeting. 

Looking forward to finding out which dates work for you all. In the meantime, keep warm and stay healthy, it's flu season!

Thanks everyone!

Blessings, 

Roger

[Rogelio Rigor]

Hi SG Team! Here's the link for our scheduled Zoom meeting tomorrow starting at 5pm. 

Agenda to follow tomorrow morning. 

Salamat and will be seeing most of you tomorrow!

Roger

Topic: Team Simbang Gabi 2025
Time: Dec 5, 2025 05:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87421809273?pwd=FQRfTlvHIKMQKbe5VQ5iGhD7yfXLn9.1

Meeting ID: 874 2180 9273
Passcode: 813266

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[Rogelio Rigor]

Good morning, everyone!

I am attaching an agenda for tonight. Kindly just add whatever I might have missed.  Also, I have missed adding our co-parishioners from St. Patrick...if anyone can just forward this to those whom you know, please do so. Maraming Salamat!

Blessings!

Roger

On Fri, Dec 5, 2025 at 7:57 AM Steve Wodzanowski <ste...@stjosephparish.org> wrote:

Thanks everyone 

I definitely hope to hop on at some point.. not 100% sure when.

Blessings 

Steve 

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From: Rogelio Rigor <rri...@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, December 4, 2025 11:01:31 PM
To: Mercy Lazo <mercy...@gmail.com>; LAUREN DIVINA <divina...@comcast.net>; Cindy Cawaling <cindyc...@gmail.com>; Jennifer Montoya <jtmo...@me.com>; Eloisa Cardona <elois...@gmail.com>; Gloria Angela Okada <gokada...@gmail.com>; Montoya <bjmo...@mac.com>; Josie Morales <jomo...@gmail.com>; Steve Wodzanowski <Ste...@stjosephparish.org>; Jennifer Olegario <jennifer...@gmail.com>; Aaron Verzosa <aa...@archipelagoseattle.com>; Amber Manuguid <am...@archipelagoseattle.com>; Caprice Sauter <capr...@stjosephparish.org>; Kassey Castro <kassey.oli...@gmail.com>; Denise Muyco <dmu...@ravelinc.com>; simbang Gabi <simban...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: Simbang Gabi Zoom

 

[Rogelio Rigor]

Oops, just pressed the key without the attachment...baby boomers!!! LOL...

[Eloisa Cardona]

Caprice, we need to know if there Lumpia can be fried in the kitchen, or beforehand and brought to the social hall. Can we get an answer beginning of next week?

Eloisa

On Fri, Dec 5, 2025 at 4:07 PM Caprice Sauter <capr...@stjosephparish.org> wrote:

Sorry, that I cannot join your call this evening (we’ve got tickets to Elf). But please let me know if there is anything I can do!

 

QR codes that Jen Montoya requested are in the Social Hall, right by the window that leads to the kitchen. They are clearly labelled.

 

I plan to be on hand 12/14 and take pictures!

Thanks,

Caprice

 

 

Caprice Sauter
Communications & Scheduling -St. Joseph
Communications - St. Therese
direct line – (206) 602-2627