With Christmas and the New Year coming up quickly, we asked a few of our friends across the Diocese of Parramatta about some of the cultural celebrations and devotions they follow. One of the most welcoming aspects of the Australian church is how we embrace the many beautiful cultures around us as a gift!
Filipino tradition – Simbang Gabe
A tradition in the Philippines that is specifically Catholic, is Simbang Gabe or Dawn Mass. For nine days straight leading up to Christmas Day, this devotion involves attending Mass together before the sun rises around 5:30am to 6am (depending on where you are in the world). Mass is followed by a shared breakfast outside the church.
You are welcome to attend Simbang Gabe from 16 to 24 December 2022 at St Aidan’s Parish, Rooty Hill, Mary, Queen of the Family Parish, Blacktown, Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Seven Hills, Mary Immaculate Parish, Quakers Hill-Schofields, and many more!
Polish tradition – Sylwester
Some say that the first day of the New Year will determine the rest of the year, similar to the saying “conquer the morning, conquer the day!”. For our Polish friends, New Year gatherings known as Sylwester (St Sylvester’s Day) involve a menu of scrumptious sausages, hearty bigos (meat stew) and celebratory wódka for adults. Additionally, the tradition of keeping the scales of the Christmas Day Carp (fish) is kept in people’s wallets as a fun gesture of hope for abundance and prosperity in the new year.
Tongan tradition – Toli-Akau
Malia Lolesio from Holy Family Parish, Mt Druitt, tells us a beautiful tradition from the Tongan culture is ‘toli-akau’ or ‘Christmas tree picking’. Families decorate one or more Christmas trees at the church or nearby hall where celebrations involving dancing, singing, eating and opening of presents occur as a community. What’s special about the Christmas trees is that they are decorated with not only ornaments, but chips, lollies, balloons and even money bags. The children have all the fun in picking and keeping what they like!
Vietnamese tradition – the cave of Bethlehem
Most commonly practised in parishes but expressed in many ways, is the tradition of the cave of Bethlehem. In Vietnamese culture, explains Karen Dinh of St Patrick’s Cathedral Parish, Parramatta, a papier-mâché depiction of the scene of Jesus’ birth is displayed for families, particularly those with young children, to visit and reflect on.
In these nativity scenes, you will find a stable, farm animals, Mary, Joseph, the crib (traditionally left empty until Christmas Day), the three Wise Men, and the Star of Bethlehem. Baby Jesus is placed in the crib on Christmas Day.
Vietnamese families bring this beautiful tradition into their homes, much like how we take the message of God’s love into the home and to all we meet.
As your family gets into the Christmas spirit, why not visit a few parishes around the Diocese and see the many beautiful and different nativity scenes on display.
Indian tradition – Midnight Mass
We all enjoy homemade sweets in Australia, but for most of us it’s not an everyday experience. If you were in India, following local traditions, says Katelyn Almeida of The Parish of Baulkham Hills, you would no doubt find yourself visiting people’s homes and enjoying the sweets they have made especially for you!
If you have a sweet tooth and are feeling adventurous, try some Goan Christmas-season sweets. Look for kulkuls, neuris, dodols, or gons. For Catholics from Goa, Midnight Mass is a traditional practice on Christmas Day.
Celebrating on Christmas Eve is common to many people, and on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, the heartfelt carolling and Christmas greetings will be heard across the Diocese of Parramatta. I know I get goosebumps from awe and wonder when “O Holy Night” is sung in church on Jesus’ birthday!
Find Christmas Mass and Reconciliation times for parishes and chaplaincies on catholicoutlook.org and parracatholic.org. Be sure to also check your local parish’s social media, website or bulletin for more information about Christmas and New Year celebrations to bring family and friends in 2022-23.
Raimie Caramancion is freelance writer and is a parishioner in the Diocese of Parramatta.
This article was originally published in the 2022 Advent | Summer 2022 edition of the Catholic Outlook Magazine. You can pick up your copy of the magazine in parishes and offices across the Diocese of Parramatta now or you can read the digital version here.
