Filipino Ministry going strong

Every first Sunday at St. Frances Cabrini Church in Alexandria, at 2:00 p.m., Father Dwight DeJesus celebrates Mass for the Filipino Catholics of the diocese. It is a regluar Mass but spoken entirely in Filipino and Fr. Dwight, pastor of St. Francis de Sales Church in Echo, says attendance typically averages anywhere from 50-100, but at Christmas time upwards of several hundred, some of them from other dioceses and even other religious denominations attend!

Filipino Mass started in July, 2006 at St. Frances Cabrini Church with the commitment from Fr. Dwight de Jesus, who is from the Philippines, to be the celebrant and the blessing from Fr. Jose Robles-Sanchez, pastor at the time, to use the church and activity building. Since then, the Filipino Mass has been celebrated every 1st Sunday of the month at 2:00 p.m. followed by fellowship and meal at Cabrini’s activity building.
The Filipino Mass is open to all Catholics in the area. During advent season, three night masses are celebrated followed by a traditional Filipino light meal. With the blessings of Fr. Chad Partain, current pastor of Cabrini church, this Filipino Ministry continues to serve the Filipinos of our diocese.