4000 Pinoys pack Kuwait Christmas Mass — priest

More than 4,000 Filipino Catholics in Kuwait packed the Holy Family Cathedral in Kuwait City to attend Christmas Mass, the biggest number in recent years. Fr. Ruben Barrameda of the Apostolic Vicariate of Kuwait said this showed how fervently overseas Filipinos keep their religious traditions even if they are far away from home. “After so many years of the traditional Simbang Gabi, this year had the biggest number of Pinoy churchgoers," he said in an article posted Saturday on the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines news site. He said this showed the Filipinos' sincere devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary despite difficult working conditions and transport problems. Many of the Filipinos availed of confession in preparation for Christmas, he added. During a Christmas Mass at the cathedral, some other halls at the vicariate were opened to accommodate the Filipino faithful. Barrameda said he integrated catechism and some personal experiences in his homilies, which made the congregation more interested. In addition to the thousands of Filipinos who attended the Simbang Gabi, many listened to the live broadcast through voiceofpinoy.com, especially contract workers far from Catholic churches. “Our listeners come from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and neighboring countries in the Persian Gulf and the Middle East," Barrameda said. He said he remains optimistic 2011 will bring peace to the Philippines and love and forgiveness within Filipino families and for the Church to provide closer care and attention for the welfare of poor people. — LBG, GMANews.TV