FOREST CITY — The Filipino-American Community of Immaculate Conception Parish celebrated 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines with a Mass of thanksgiving Sept. 19. The celebration was held on the feast day of Our Lady of Peñafrancia, the Marian patroness of the Bicol Region of the Philippines.
In honor of this anniversary, the Filipino-American Community donated to the parish a reproduction of the famous Black Nazarene statue, located in the Minor Basilica of Quiapo, district of Manila, in the Philippines. Father Herbert Burke, pastor, spoke of the devotion to this sacramental and blessed it during Mass.
After the special Mass, everyone was invited to the parish hall to enjoy Filipino food and fellowship.
— Giuliana Polinari Riley, correspondent
