Parishes around the Diocese are gearing up for Simbang Gabi, or Mass of the Rooster – a tradition held by the Filipino community to prepare for the birth of Jesus.
Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., will celebrate the more than 300-year-old tradition by celebrating Mass Dec. 23 in St. Ann Church, Lawrenceville.
Traditionally, Simbang Gabi is a series of Masses, some of which begin as early as 4 a.m. in December and end at midnight Dec. 24. The observances in the Diocese will be held in the evening.
The tradition began in the mid-1600s in the Philippines, where church bells would start ringing as early as 3 a.m., awakening people for 4 a.m. Mass. This tradition began in order to allow farmers to attend Mass before going off to work the fields in the early morning hours.
The following is a list of Masses scheduled throughout the Trenton Diocese to celebrate Simbang Gabi.
Burlington County
Dec. 3-11 • St. Charles Borromeo, 2226 Riverton Road, Cinnaminson • All Masses will be at 7 p.m. (except Dec. 4 & Dec. 11 at 5 p.m.)
Dec. 9 • 7:30 p.m., Sacred Heart, 260 High St., Mount Holly. In addition, Dec. 10, 6:30 p.m.; Dec. 11, 7 p.m.; Dec. 12-Dec. 16, 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 17, 6:30 p.m., with children’s nativity after Mass, followed by a potluck party in the auditorium.
Mercer County • All Masses at 7 p.m.
Dec. 14 • St. David the King, 1 New Village Road, Princeton Junction
Dec. 15 • St. Vincent De Paul, 555 Yardville-Allentown Road, Yardville
Dec. 16 • Incarnation-St. James, 1545 Pennington Road, Ewing
Dec. 17 • St. Raphael, 3500 South Broad St., Hamilton
Dec. 18 • St. Anthony of Padua, 251 Franklin St., Hightstown
Dec. 19 • St. Gregory the Great, 4620 Nottingham Way, Hamilton
Dec. 20 • St. Paul, 214 Nassau St., Princeton
Dec. 21 • St. Michael, 1130 Brunswick Ave., Trenton
Dec. 22 • Holy Angels, 1733 South Broad St., Hamilton
Dec. 23 • St. Ann, 1253 Lawrenceville Road, Lawrenceville
Monmouth County
For all, 30 minutes before every Mass will be Holy Rosary and Confession.
Dec. 14 • 8 p.m., St. Veronica, 4215 US Route 9, Howell
Dec. 15 • 8 p.m., St. Joseph, 376 Maple Place, Keyport
Dec. 16 • 8 p.m., St. William the Abbott, 2740 Lakewood Allenwood Road, Howell
Dec. 17 • 7:30 p.m., St. James, 30 Peter’s Place, Red Bank
Dec. 18 • 7:30 p.m., St. Dorothea, 240 Broad St., Eatontown
Dec. 19 • 7:30 p.m., St. Clement, 172 Freneau Ave., Matawan
Dec. 21 • 7:30 p.m., Holy Innocents, 3455 W. Bangs Ave., Neptune
Dec. 22 • 7:30 p.m., St. Benedict, 165 Bethany Road, Holmdel, followed by a grand Christmas celebration in the reception hall of St. Benedict Parish. For information, contact Jhun Allanigue 732-829-1612.
Ocean County
For all, recitation of the Rosary at 7 p.m., Mass at 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 10 • St. Justin the Martyr, 975 Fischer Blvd., Toms River
Dec. 11 • St. Luke, 1674 Old Freehold Road, Toms River
Dec. 12 • St. John, 619 Chestnut St., Lakehurst
Dec. 13 • St. Barnabas, 33 Woodland Road, Bayville
Dec. 14 • St. Joseph, 685 Hooper Ave., Toms River
Dec. 15 • St. Monica, 679 W. Veteran’s Hwy., Jackson
Dec. 17 • St. Mary of the Pines, 100 Bishop Lane, Manahawkin
Dec. 18 • St. Maximilian Kolbe, 130 St. Maximilian Lane, Toms River