Simbang Gabi is a novena of prayer in preparation for the great feast of Christmas.  Parishioners Lita McBride and Teresita Guerrero carry a festive cloth from the Philippines with which they will prepare the altar.


For the first time, Archbishop Sartain leads the Filipino community of the Archdiocese of Seattle in prayer.


The star-shaped lanterns called "parols" recall the star that led the magi to the infant Christ.  A highlight of the celebration is when the illuminated stars come down from the oculus as the Gloria is sung.


Everybody looks up!




Parishioner Adolfo Guerrero and a team of volunteers lower the stars from the oculus.


The coordinators of the Simbang Gabi novena in parishes across the Archdiocese bring their parols before the Archbishop for a blessing.




Maria Ochoa presents the Archbishop with a lei, a welcoming gift from the Archdiocesan community.


At the end of Mass, Archbishop Sartain gives everyone an assignment:  to pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life from the Filipino community.