Filipinos, Hispanics, Anglos worship in Methodist church

Señor Santo Niño: Three parishioners, dressed in traditional Filipina garb, carry a statue of the infant Jesus during a special celebration by the Catholic Community of Bertie County, N.C.

Joy and celebration were the hallmarks of a recent festival celebrated by the Catholic Community of Bertie County, N.C., Sunday, Jan. 21, was the Feast of Señor Santo Niño, an important Catholic holiday in the history of the Philippines.

The feast day marks the anniversary of the evangelization of the Philippines by the Spanish. It is the culmination of a week of prayer and fasting.

Since the majority of Bertie County Catholics are Filipino, Father Michael Langell, pastor, incorporated elements of this cultural feast into the Sunday Mass. Most of the local Filipinos came into this area in response to a need for teachers in the public schools.

Special prayers were said at Mass and the presentation of gifts and the recessional featured liturgical dances by the young women of the parish. The dancers were dressed in traditional malongs and sarongs decorated in colorful batik designs. The procession focused on the presentation of small statues of the infant Jesus, Señor Santo Niño, which many Filipino families brought with them when they immigrated to the United States.

Following the Mass the congregation gathered at the parish house for a day of feasting, dancing and fellowship in the Filipino family tradition.

Glenmary first arrived in Bertie County, in the rural northeastern corner of North Carolina, in 2004. Two years later, the congregation has grown to include a culturally diverse community of approximately 70 Catholics. Spanish-speaking parishioners are served by multicultural worker José Mendoza.

This mission elected its first Parish Pastoral Council in May 2006.

Since its beginnings, this fledgling Catholic community has gathered for worship in space provided by the local Methodist church in Windsor, N.C. (The Catholic Mass is at 8 a.m. and the Methodist service is at 10 a.m.) Religious education classes for 15 mission children are held at 9 a.m. each Sunday.

Last year Glenmary assumed responsibility for neighboring Washington County. Father Mike also pastors this county—but with the assistance of pastoral administrator Rebeca Boudreaux. That Catholic congregation is based in Plymouth, N.C.