The first night of Simbang Gabi was held at Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Rockaway on Dec. 15. Father Vic Leviste, parochial vicar of St. Joseph Parish in Mendham, and Father Cerilo Javinez, diocesan consultant for the Diocesan Commission for Catholic Filipino Ministries (DCCFM) and parochial vicar of Sacred Heart/Our Lady Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Parish in Dover, celebrated the first of the nine-day novena Masses in anticipation of Christmas in the Paterson Diocese. Simbang Gabi is being celebrated simultaneously in Morris and Passaic counties. Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney will celebrate the culminating Mass on Dec. 23, at 7 p.m., at St. Christopher Church in Parsippany. Also, Paskong Pinoy, a Filipino Christmas Mass, will be held on Dec. 25 at noon at Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Rockaway.
