Written by: Mer Engalla, May 2025

If you look around the church at any given Mass at St. John’s you will notice at least a quarter of the people are Filipinos. This group has been one of the strongest sector of parishioners at SJ since its establishment in 1916 in El Cerrito. Originally serving the Italian/Portuguese/Latino and African American population in the Greater Richmond area in the East Bay , the Asian Catholic parishioners started to be drawn to this small simple Church along the busy corridor of San Pablo Avenue in El Cerrito. The Filipinos, a community coming from the Philippines, – the largest Catholic country in South East Asia – brought with them their deep faith in God, their catholic traditions to practice their faith within their culture, and innate sense of community and generosity as it was “back in the homeland”.

It is no surprise then, that the Filipinos thrived at this small parish, finding not only a home to practice their faith but also bond with their “kababayans’ . To this day, many decades later since the founding of St. John’s , they have brought and introduced many of their religious traditions and introduced them at the Parish , in the hopes of preserving these for generations to come. Also, they actively participated in parish life serving as volunteers as members of the Parish Council, numerous Committees, Lectors, Choir , Extra Ordinary Ministers, Altar servers, Greeters, Fundraisers, Flower arrangers, Church decorators, Festival workers, and many more. Their unselfish commitment to serve have kept the parish life at St John’s thriving, successful, and inspiring to each and everyone, Filipinos or not. They not only participated, but more importantly, they provided (i.e. time, talent, treasure), with joyful generosity, commitment, and selflessness.

Below are just some of the typical activities the Filipinos do at St John’s:

1. Simbang Gabi:
   

   Simbang Gabi 2019

   Annually held in December, it is a 9-day novena Mass in preparation for the Birth of Jesus. The mass is organized by Filipino volunteers where the Mass is followed by a potluck dinner in the Conference Room where everyone is welcome to partake of delicious Filipino dishes and dessert lovingly prepared by Filipino families in the parish. This nightly gathering provides an opportunity for everyone to share in the Christmas spirit, and re-kindle friendships, or even start new ones that could last a lifetime.
2. Flores de Mayo: To honor our Blessed Mother Mary, a day in May is dedicated to the Virgin Mary with a special Mass. A small procession of parishioners is gathered to offer beautiful flowers (typically roses of many colors) and placed before a statue of the Blessed Mother at the altar. This special celebration originates from the Philippines when little girls are “dressed up” and made to hold a long string of flowers and process towards the Virgin Mother at the altar to lay the flowers at her feet. This procession has been “simplified” here in the States .Nowadays, the frenetic preparation of dressing up the kids and holding the string of flowers together which often breaks is now replaced by a simple procession of anybody (adults or children) who wish to participate in the procession for flower offering. Nevertheless, this simple gesture to honor the Blessed Mother ends up in a beautiful array of colorful flowers adorning our Altar for the entire month of May.
3. Annual Parish Festival Food Booth:
   

   2016 Parish Festival

   For many years, the Annual Parish Festival is one of the biggest and well-attended events of St. John’s. Although, the main objective is to raise funds for the church, it provides an opportunity for all the families at St.John’s to work, pray, and eat together with food, games, and entertainment all day long. It is at this event where all the various ethnic groups in the parish can come together and celebrate our rich ethnic diversity – especially in food . It is so satisfying watch all the ethnic groups showcase their foods, arts and craft, music, dances, costumes, etc. and see how they all can work together and feel like family. The competing aromas of food from many countries permeates the whole Gymnasium and will not fail to stir anyone’s gastric juices and appetite.

The Filipino group, of course, has participated in this event with great pride year after year.

Who does not know and crave for the famous Pancit, Adobo, Lumpia and Turon? They have consistently been one of the Top 3 fundraisers, raising generous sums of money donated for the church.

1. San Lorenzo Ruiz Group:
   

   San Lorenzo Ruiz 2019

   San Lorenzo Ruiz is a Catholic Filipino saint, canonized by Pope John Paul II in October 1987. He was a Catholic priest martyred in Nagasaki Japan because of his refusal to renounce his Catholic faith. He was executed by the Tokugawa dynasty during the 17^th century as they persecuted Japanese Christians during that period.. Naturally, Lorenzo’s sainthood is an enormous source of pride for the Filipino Catholic community, and many Filipinos were moved to form a “group” in his name to honor his legacy and many parishes around the world where there is a significant Filipino Catholic population and St John’s was no exception. They organized to celebrate his martyrdom with a special Mass around September, around Lorenzo’s birthday on September 29^th, followed by a special reception for a social gathering and prayer to San Lorenzo and talk about the meaning of his martyrdom.. Sadly, it seems that this activity has not survived the test of time as its leading members have become increasingly become less active and unable to fulfill their leadership roles due to either health reasons, or have moved away from El Cerrito.

These are only a few of the “formal” organizations and activities where Filipinos have demonstrated great leadership, significant contribution, and commitment towards parish life at St. Johns throughout these many years. There are many more. Many members have passed on, but the “dwindling” members have tried to remain and continue their legacy in whatever way they can. Their influence and involvement permeate every aspect of life in the church be it be in the Liturgy, Finance, Faith Formation, Social Justice (GRIP), Communications, and many more. You will find a Filipino or two in any of these groups at any time, quietly doing their part. Their commitment to the Lord knows no bounds as they know the Lord’s commitment to them is beyond what they are even capable of giving back.