Formation of the National Association of Filipino Priests, USA (“NAFP”)
Los Angeles, California, October 5, 2010. The Roman Catholic Filipino priests in the United States have announced the formation of the National Association of Filipino Priests, USA (“NAFP”), and the launching of its official website: www.filipinopriestsusa.org. The NAFP is an association that promotes unity, support, and growth among Filipino priests ministering with their cultural gifts by serving as a forum for collaboration and effective pastoral leadership.
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Pictures for Slideshow, Provided by: Michael Hoyt, of The Catholic Standard
A Beautiful Asian Pilgramage in Washington, D.C.
WASHINGTON—On May 9, 2009, the 7th Asians for Mary Pilgrimage was held at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. It was a colorful gathering of devotees of Our Blessed Mother from various countries in Asia.
Indonesian prayer dancers led a procession of images and icons of Our Lady of Antipolo (Philippines), Our Lady of Bandel (West Bengal, India), Our Lady of Burma, Our Lady of Cambodia, Our Lady of China, Or Lady of Indonesia, Our LDY OF Japan, Our Lady of Korea, Our Lady of Laos, Our Lady of La Vang (Vietnam), Our lady of Pakistan, Our Lady of Vailankanni (India) and Our Lady of Fatima (Filipino Ministry).
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7th Annual Asian Pilgrimage to the Basilica in Washington, D.C.,
May 9, 2009
Washington —The Asian and Pacific Catholics in the Mid-Atlantic area in collaboration with the USCCB’s Secretariat of Cultural Diversity in the Church, Asian and Pacific Affairs, will hold the 7th Annual Asians for Mary Pilgrimage on Saturday, May 9, 2009 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. In observance of Asian and Pacific Heritage Month, the annual pilgrimage, has grown in size and number as Asian and Pacific Catholics honor Blessed Virgin Mary with prayers and songs reminiscent of Marian devotions in their homelands observed during the whole month of May.
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Montagnard Catholic Community Leaders Visit the USCCB
WASHINGTON—Five pastoral leaders led by the President of the Montagnard Catholic Community, Mr. Mien Pangting, of Charlotte, North Carolina met with Ms. Cecile Motus, Assistant Director of the Secretariat of Cultural Diversity in the Church at USCCB on Friday, June 19, 2009. Mr. Pangting informed the secretariat about pastoral activities they provide in collaboration with the Diocese of Charlotte.
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Diocese of Brooklyn 2008 Shining Star Awards Dinner
Four Pastoral Care Leaders Honored For Exemplary Service
The Secretariat of Cultural Diversity in the Church recognized exemplary and distinguished service of four pastoral leaders who have dedicated their lives to care for immigrants, refugees and people on the move. The awards were given during the Awards Banquet of the National Migration Conference 2008 held at the Hilton Washington Hotel on July 28-31, 2008. The four chosen awardees are admirable role models of selfless commitment to the mission to outreach to Catholic groups which because of special needs (language, occupation, or distance) are not able to participate in regular parish services.
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Sixth Asian and Pacific Catholic Pilgrimage to the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception
The Asian and Pacific Catholics of the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. area in collaboration with the USCCB’s Secretariat of Cultural Diversity in the Church - Asian and Pacific Affairs, held the 6th pilgrimage on Saturday, May 3, 2008 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. In observance of Asian and Pacific Heritage Month, the annual pilgrimage, has grown in size and number as Asian and Pacific Catholics honor Blessed Virgin Mary with prayers and songs reminiscent of Marian devotions in their homelands observed the whole month of May.
The theme of this year’s celebration, “Unity in Diversity Through Mary” called attention to the universality of the Catholic faith no matter the cultural origins of Asian and Pacific people and the uniting grace of the Blessed Mother in bringing people together to pray to and worship her Son, Jesus Christ.
This year’s pilgrimage commenced with a colorful Call to Prayer led by Korean Teen Drummers, Cambodian dancers, a Filipino Choir, and Vietnamese youth dancers. A Marian Procession ushered by Indonesian prayer dancers brought images and icons of our Blessed Mother in the tradition of the Bangali, Burmese, Cambodian, Chinese, Filipino, Indian, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Laotian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan, and Vietnamese Catholic communities. A Rosary (Luminous Mysteries) was led by children from the various ethnic communities interspersed with choir singing. Highlight of the afternoon was a Holy Mass presided by Reverend Allan Figueroa Deck, S.J., Director of the new USCCB Secretariat of Cultural Diversity in the Church concelebrated with more than 10 priests.
The pilgrimage is always a happy gathering for Asian and Pacific Catholics, their families, parishes, and friends. Benefits gained have been shown in increased interest among the pilgrims including those from other ethnic and cultural groups in learning about the heritage of Asian and Pacific Catholics and their faith practices, increased participation and deeper commitment to serve their parishes in evangelization programs, and greater openness to share and dialogue with others.
Pilgrimage to the Basilica | Youth Day
Asian and Pacific Youth Day – Diocese of San Bernardino
By Densy Chandra,
Indonesian National Consultant
The first of its kind, the Asian and Pacific Youth Day in the Diocese of San Bernardino took place on April 21, 2007. More than one hundred young people between the ages of 14 to early 20s took part in the “Bridging the Gap” event. The San Bernardino Diocesan Office of Asian and Pacific Ministry directed by Sr. Theresa Phan, LHC in collaboration with the Diocesan Office For Youth directed by Kathy Cho worked with a Committee to organize the event envisioned as a day of LEARNING, INTERACTION, and FUN. It was designed to help Asian and Pacific youth to:
- Understand and appreciate their particular cultural identities;
- Recognize and embrace the values lived and expressed by different generations;
- Deepen their relationship with God and with the Christian community.
At the end of the day, these objectives were surpassed. The participants and planners went home moved and energized. Many youth participants and their parents asked when the next Youth Day will be.
This first program offered Songs of Praise led by a six- member Vietnamese youth band “Woven”, ice breaker games to encourage bonding among the participants, small group sharing, discussions, games, and even drama/skits. Two presentations generated many questions among the participants - Sr. Grace Le, LHC on “Bridging the Gap between Cultures & Values”, and Fr. Benjamin Alforque, MSC on “How to deepen our faith in Christ embracing the challenges of intergenerational/multicultural gaps”.
Raphael Hong brought a large number of the Korean confirmation students from St. Andrew Kim in Norco. One of his students, Andy Chung, 16, wrote in his website, "The Asian Pacific Youth Day on Saturday was pretty fun. Actually it was really good. I haven’t felt that happy in awhile.”
Valencia Lauran,14, said: “It was very, very exciting to be with fellow Asians like myself, talk about life. It was also entertaining. I would like to recommend it to friends. I can't wait for the next one. People were funny especially during the skits. No one was shy.”
Harmony in faith was experienced according the Sr. Theresa Phan, LHC. It was truly an enjoyable and memorable day for every participant.