Merry CHRISTMAS and Happy New Year!

2023 Advent/Christmas Reflection of Bishop Larry Silva

for the Asian and Pacific Islander Communities in the United States

Nativity sets portray the great event of the birth of the Lord Jesus, the great gift of Emmanuel, God-with-us. Although the birth of Jesus took place in a particular historical time and place, and although we know he and his family were Jews, Nativity sets often portray them with local faces and local features. There are portrayals of Baby Jesus and his family with African, Asian, Caucasian, or Pacific Island features.

This is because the Body of Christ, the Church Jesus formed by the power of the Holy Spirit, is a diverse Body, encompassing all peoples and nations. Yet at the same time it is one Body, not many. This reality serves us well to remember that it is God’s intention that all of us, as diverse as we have been made by God, are meant to live as one family, united in love.

We, as the Body of Christ, have the privilege of witnessing to the real peace that can come when we celebrate our diversity but live out our unity.

May the Lord Jesus, whose birth we celebrate, fill you with a longing for unity among all our brothers and sisters throughout the world. May Jesus thus reign over the whole world as Mighty God and Prince of Peace!

Bishop Larry Silva

Bishop of Honolulu

Chair, USCCB Subcommittee on Asian and Pacific Island Affairs

Asian and Pacific Island National Encounter

July 15 - 17, 2024, Indianapolis, IN

By: Jem Sullivan, PhD Associate Professor, School of Theology and Religious Studies, Catholic University of America, SCAPA Consultant

Do you wish to meet and share your Catholic faith with Asian and Pacific Islander Catholics from around the United States? Are you looking to learn more about the bishop’s pastoral response to Asian and Pacific Islander Catholics titled “Encountering Christ in Harmony?” Do you desire to deepen your faith and grow in love of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist?

We invite you to join in a unique gathering hosted by the Asian and Pacific Island National Encounter from July 15-17, 2024, in Indianapolis, Indiana. Join with other API Catholics in a pre-event community before the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis. This will be a perfect opportunity to deepen your Catholic faith with other API Catholics who are centered on the gift and mystery of the Eucharist, the "source and summit of the Christian life."

During the API National Gathering, there will be opportunities to pray together centered on the celebration of the Eucharist, and to celebrate the unity in diversity of faith communities that make up Asian and Pacific Islander Catholicism in the United States today. Join with other APIs to deepen your Catholic faith, share your cultural experiences of faith, and become part of an important national conversation on the contributions and opportunities for Asian and Pacific Island Catholics today.

For more information about the API National Encounter, please reach out via email, scapa@usccb.org. Check out the flyer

Simbang Gabi-An Affirmation of Filipino Faith Tradition

By Rev. Noel B. Reyes, Archdiocese of Chicago

I remember growing up in my hometown in the Philippines, hearing the church bells at dawn for nine consecutive days before Christmas. It was a call to wake up to come to church for the Simbang Gabi. Getting up very early in the morning to attend the Novena Masses in preparation for Christmas began during the Spanish occupation of the Philippines.

Pope Sixtus V, whose reign began in 1585 and lasted until 1590, plays a significant reference to the celebration due to the indulgence granted to those who would complete the Simbang Gabi. Misa de Gallo or Misa de Aguinaldo, or Simbang Gabi, refers to one single intention of spiritual preparation of journeying with the Blessed Mother leading to the Solemnity of Christmas. Click to read the full article

The Syro-Malabar Tradition-The Season of the Annunciation

By: Alexander Padayatil

St. Thomas Syro Malabar Forane Catholic Church - Philadelphia, PA

St. Thomas Syro Malabar Catholic Diocese of Chicago

In the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, we celebrate the Season of the Annunciation (which corresponds to the Season of Advent for the Latin Church). The Season of the Annunciation calls us, particularly the Syro-Malabar Catholic faithful, to pray, fast, and prepare our hearts as we anticipate the celebration of the coming of the Child Jesus.

For the Syro-Malabar Catholics, one of the traditions observed in preparation for Christmas is the '25 Days Fast', which is from December 1st to December 24th. Fasting is a way we can refocus our desires to Christ and strip away any worldly inclinations and dependencies. Fasting is not easy. As a Syro -Malabar young adult from Philadelphia, it is hard to say no to a good cheesesteak!

But by fasting, I can offer it as a sacrifice and for any prayer intentions I may have. Additionally, the Syro-Malabar faithful in the United States have many other traditions. Christmas caroling at parishioner's homes is something I grew up with and is a core memory of my childhood. It is a tradition that our community continues to this day. Another great tradition we observe is the raising of the Star in every house, because the Star symbolizes the star that guided the wise men and shepherds to the Child Jesus. In conclusion, this Season of Annunciation is truly a time to prepare our hearts for the Christ, and I am proud to be a Syro- Malabar Catholic with our traditions this season.

Advent Reflection-Finding Moments of Silence

By: Faith Leasiolagi

The Advent hymn, “Waiting in Silence” by Carey Landry, captures how I prepare for the Child Jesus… “Waiting in silence, waiting in hope, we long for You Lord, give us new vision, open our hearts, teach us your way, God ever with us, come Lord Jesus!”, just to name a few lines from the hymn. Click to read the full article

In the Light of Faith, the 12th Gathering of Burmese American Catholics

By: Rev. David Michael

Historically, Christians did not celebrate birthdays as it was linked to the pagan culture. The lighting of candles and blowing them out was done to acknowledge gods and to dispel evil spirits. Our Liturgy during the Advent season highlights that, at his first coming, Jesus assumed the lowliness of human flesh and opened for us the way to eternal salvation and that we long for his second coming in glory. Click to read the full article

Reflections on the 4th Assembly of the National Association of Filipino Priests-USA

By: Rev. JM Manolo A. Punzalan, Archdiocese of Newark

On October 24-27, 2023, nearly 400 Filipino Catholic priests from across the nation converged in New Jersey for a landmark celebration of the 4^th Assembly of the National Association of Filipino Priests – USA.

The Filipino Assembly – which coincided with Filipino American History Month — was on a “synodal journey” and discussed how “journeying together” should be done through the theme “Communion, Participation, and Mission,” the same topic the bishops assembled in Rome discussed over the past month. Click to read the full article

Upcoming Events

Save the Date

The 21st Asian and Pacific Island Catholics Marian Pilgrimage on Saturday, May 4, 2024, at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, DC.

The Subcommittee on Asian and Pacific Islanders

US Conference of Catholic Bishops | 3211 Fourth Street, NE | Washington, DC scapa@usccb.org