Filipinos in Utah hold Sinulog for 500 years of PH Christianity

A traditional dance at the Sinulog Festival held April 24 at St. Olaf Parish honors Santo Niño, an image of the Christ Child that is revered in the Philippines.(Photo: Marie Mischel)

The Filipino community in Bountiful, Utah gathered at St. Olaf Catholic Church on April 24 for a Sinulog Festival that included a Mass, traditional dances and traditional foods.

Philippine-born Bishop Oscar A. Solis said the celebration was for “the greatest gift that God has given our country – the gift of Christian faith,” according to the ICatholic.org website.

“Christianity has shaped not only our nation but shaped every heart of the Filipino, and they bring it wherever they are,” he said. “They make the presence of the faith through their participation in the life of the Church,” serving as choir members, ministers of hospitality, Eucharistic ministers, and in other leadership roles.

Solis concelebrated the Mass with compatriot priests in the diocese: Fr. Robin Cruz, parochial vicar of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Logan; Fr. Max Butch Omana, chaplain of the Christ Prince of Peace Catholic community at Hill Air Force Base; Fr. Rodelio Ignacio, parochial vicar of St. Mary of the Assumption Parish in Park City; Fr. Joshua Santos, administrator of St. Joseph Parish in Ogden; Fr. Noel Ancheta, spiritual director for the Misan Bayan and hospital ministry; and Fr. Ariel Durian, administrator of St. Peter Parish in American Fork. Deacon Scott Dodge assisted.

The anniversary was a celebration not only of 500 years of history “but a celebration of the future,” the bishop said, He also urged those present to hold on to Santo Niño. “Let him be our guide and our inspiration to be able to give what God has given us, to proclaim the message of love and of mercy to the world and to one another,” he said.