Florida Catholic | Filipino Ministry Emphasizes Evangelization

Filipino ministry emphasizes evangelization

JENNIFER POWERS | FLORIDA CATHOLIC CORRESPONDENT

Published: 05.22.08

The ministry to the Filipinos of the Diocese of Orlando displays a booth on Filipino Catholicism at the Festival of Faith in Orlando.
VALETA ORLANDO | FC

ORLANDO | It was like a tropical oasis in the midst of the Festival of Faith. Among the beautiful orchids you could almost feel the balmy air of the Philippines. Ladies of Filipino descent, who dressed in beaded gowns, warmly greeted guests with the traditional “Mabuhay,” a word that conveys the desire for others to be full of joy and happiness.

“The colors are Filipino and the content is Catholic,” said Father Peter Puntal, pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Winter Haven, of the display. With a focus on evangelization, the ministry to the Filipinos of the Diocese of Orlando colorfully displayed the evolution of Catholicism in the Philippines. From the beginning of the Philippine islands’ Catholic history –which began in 1529 when the Portuguese explorer Magellan came to their shores to the bloodless revolution of 1986 that overturned the Marcos regime without a shot fired – the exhibit recounts a proud heritage and a deep faith.

The Philippines, with a population that is 90 percent Catholic, is the only Christian nation in the Far East. “We were once evangelized, now we are the evangelizers,” said Tito Garcia of Holy Family, who was instrumental in putting together the display. “As John Paul II said, we are missionaries to the world,” said Father Puntal. “God has placed us in the United States to evangelize and serve.”

Father Puntal is one of more that a dozen Filipino priests and deacons who serve the Diocese of Orlando. In 2000, Bishop Thomas Wenski tapped Father Puntal to bring traditional Filipino festivals to the diocese.

“He said he wanted Simbang Gabi,” said Father Puntal. “Everything else followed from that.” Simbang Gabi is an Advent-Christmas tradition where midnight Mass is celebrated each night of the nine days before Christmas.

The ministry to the Filipinos continues to grow. It now has a quarterly magazine that features people from the local Filipino community. The ministry celebrates traditional festivals several times during the year, and has created a closely knit community that embraces its unique expression of the faith. In July, the ministry will celebrate Birhen ng Antipolo, an annual pilgrimage and eucharistic celebration in honor of the Virgin of Antipolo, Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage. “We welcome everyone to participate in the festivals,” said Garcia. “You would love it.”

To find out more about the ministry to the Filipinos visit the Web site at www.ministrytofilipinos.com.

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Filipino ministry emphasizes evangelization

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