THE Auckland Catholic Filipino Chaplaincy in Auckland, New Zealand is gearing up to celebrate its 10th anniversary on May 26-27 with a fiesta atmosphere.
His Eminence Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, Archbishop of Manila, Main Presider and Guest, will officiate the closing Mass of the year-long celebration on May 27 at the Malaeola Samoan Catholic Community Centre, 16 Waokauri Place, Mangere. Other guests include Fr. Mario Tejada, MSP, Fr. Manuel Jadraque, MSP (1st ACFC Chaplain) and Mr. Christian Tecala (1st ACFC Chairman).
Two special events highlight the anniversary celebrations. The Chaplaincy Night on May 26 will present A Night of Thanksgiving and Recognition at the Top of the Park Lounge, Alexandra Park, Greenlane Road West, Epsom.
The morning of May 27 will feature the Filipino Senior Citizens’ of Auckland Grand Santacruzan Procession and a shared lunch, picnic style; among participants. The event will be culminated with a Filipino Cultural Dance Festival, Games and Entertainment, dubbed as Sayaw Saya!
The Auckland Chaplaincy functions as a quasi-parish. It was established under the Roman Catholic Bishop of Auckland in response to the religious and cultural needs of Filipino migrants in Auckland and in the wider New Zealand Catholic Church.
The Chaplaincy provides a feeling of “being at home” for Filipinos living and working in New Zealand.
In the Chaplaincy, Filipinos pray and worship in their native tongue. Sunday Mass is said in Tagalog, and Filipino fiestas and devotions are celebrated.
The place also serves as a meeting place for Filipinos to meet their country men and share their common migrant-life stories, and to seek and offer assistance to anyone in need.
More than anything else, according to pastoral worker Mark Barrios, the Chaplaincy is a home to Filipinos and “to our other brothers and sisters who would like to belong to a Community.”
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