Mabuhay!
As students, we sometimes find it hard to practice our religion. Being away from home we tend to go to church less because we would rather sleep in or hang out with friends. Some of us even question our faith and there might not always be someone there to answer the questions that we are asking.
Eugene Enclona saw this issue and recognized it as something that most students go through and decided to do something to help. With help from his mom, Marita Santos, and Sister Gertrude Borres, they got in touch with Father Efren and started a Filipino Mass in University City. It takes place every first Saturday of the month in St. Agatha-St. James Catholic Church at 7 PM followed by a Filipino dinner. They have a Filipino priest for mass and sing Tagalog songs to give it a more more of a feeling like mass back in the Philippines. Unfortunately, since the mass is catered for the student, it is on a temporary stop while they are on break but will resume again in September!
The mass is heavily supported by parents. Especially the parents of Filipino students studying in Philly. With their kids being far from home, they know they are being exposed to secular ideas that will challenge their faith. They are happy to hear that their kids will have a community to turn to if or when they start having questions.
“We are trying to provide value to the students and make them feel at home and provide this community for them so they don’t feel as homesick”
The Filipino Mass that Eugene organized together is also created to give Filipinos a sense of family and community that they were not able to find anywhere else. He mentioned that even within the Newman community, some students still do not feel a hundred percent at home and he hopes that with the community he’s created, they can finally find their home.
“We try to provide a sense of home. A Filipino home.”
This is the only Filipino youth ministry in Philadelphia. It is such an amazing group of people and I am so glad I met them! So for any students looking for a youth ministry, this community is open to everyone! Look forward to their mass this upcoming school year!
Hangaan sa muli,
Nicah
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