U.S.-based Pinoys celebrate Santo Niño feast

Images of the Sto. Niño are blessed and a dance procession honoring the Holy Child is held at the St. Catherine of Sienna Parish, Vallejo, California on the feast day of the Sto. Niño, Jan. 21, 2018. EILEEN BALLESTEROS

VALLEJO, California — Joining the Catholic Church in the Philippines and other parishes abroad, Filipinos living in the jurisdiction of St. Catherine of Sienna Parish celebrated the Feast of Santo Niño on Jan. 21.

Several Filipino families , who are under the Diocese of Sacramento, celebrated Mass in honor of the Sto. Niño and shared a meal after.

For five years now, a local community of Filipinos has been keeping the tradition of celebrating the Feast Day of Señor Santo Niño with Mass followed by a luncheon fellowship.

A Visayan priest Fr. Percy Singco heads the parish, largely consisting of parishioners who are Filipino-Americans or of Filipino descent.

Lina Salceda, a devotee of the Santo Niño and regular churchgoer at the St. Catherine of Siena Church, said Singco hopes the tradition continues as it has for the last four years.

In his homily, Singco expounded on the Child Jesus’ qualities which are worth emulating.
He also stressed several points on how to qualify for the Kingdom of God.

“Repent and Believe, it is not just ‘I have faith’ and sit down. We act because faith alone will not save us. Faith alone will not work if we sit down. [Do] good works, according to the Book of James,” explained Singco.

He also noted how discipleship is linked to sacrifice.

“For us, it (discipleship) is also sacrifice. We, the priests, are inspired how those in the ministries and the other people offer their time, talent, and treasure to the Church, sacrificing in serving the Church,” added the priest.

Prior to the Sunday festivity which culminated with a “bring-and-share” lunch get-together of devotees, novena Masses were organized by an hermano (family sponsor). CBCPNews