Asian and Pacific Island News & Events

News

Read news pertaining to the Asian and Pacific Islander community. For more news, check out the e-newsletter archive, USCCB news releases, and the Catholic News Service (CNS) website.

Encountering Christ in Harmony: A Pastoral Response to Our Asian and Pacific Island Brothers and Sisters

• July 6, 2018 - Read the news release announcing the full text of Encountering Christ in Harmony: A Pastoral Response to Our Asian and Pacific Island Brothers and Sisters.
  
• June 14, 2018 - Read Dennis Sadowski's (CNS) article about the U.S. bishops' approval of Encountering Christ in Harmony during their Spring General Assembly.
• June 13-14, 2018 - Watch the Spring General Assembly on-demand video to see Bishop Solis' presentation about Encountering Christ in Harmony to the body of bishops.
• May 11, 2018 - Read the news release about the U.S. bishops discussing and voting on Encountering Christ in Harmony during the Spring General Assembly.
  

Ordination of Asian and Pacific Island Priests in the U.S.

• June 5, 2018 - Read Mark Pattison's (CNS) article about the ordination of first U.S.-born Syro-Malabar priest
  
• June 4, 2018 - Read Dave Hrbacek, Matthew Davis and Maria Wiering's (CNS) article about the ordination of first U.S.-born Hmong-American priest
  

Tropical Storm Tembin-Philippines

• December 2017 - In response to the flooding, mudslides/landslides, and damage caused by Tropical Storm Tembin in the Philippines, Catholic Relief Services (CRS) released a prayer in solidarity with the victims of this natural disaster. You can also help CRS respond to this crisis by donating to their relief efforts.
  

Papal Visit to Myanmar and Bangladesh November 27-December 2, 2017

• December 1, 2017 - Defend God's image by defending the Rohingya, pope urges by Cindy Wooden
• November 28, 2017 - Respect the rights of all groups, pope tells Myanmar's leaders by Cindy Wooden
• November 27, 2017 - Update: Pope meets generals after brief welcome by children in Myanmar by Cindy Wooden

National Assembly of Filipino Priests November 7-10, 2017

• November 27, 2017 - Filipino priests called to walk with fellow immigrant Catholics by James Ramos

News Releases

• January 23, 2018 - Pope Francis Accepts Resignation of Bishop Stephen Blaire of Stockton; Names Auxiliary Bishop Myron Cotta as Successor
• October 6, 2017 - Pope Francis Names Fr. Thanh Thai Nguyen as New Auxiliary Bishop of Orange, CA
• August 5, 2017 - New Bishop of Syro-Malankara Eparchy of St. Mary Queen of Peace of the U.S. and Canada is Named; First Bishop of New Eparchy in Parassala, India also Named
• January 10, 2017 - Pope Francis Names Auxiliary Bishop Oscar A. Solis, Chairman of the Subcommittee for Asian & Pacific Island Affairs, Bishop of Salt Lake City, UT

Annual Asian and Pacific Island Catholics Marian Pilgrimage

• May 5, 2018 - Read Rhina Guidos' (CNS) article about the 16th Annual Asian and Pacific Island Catholics Marian Pilgrimage.
• May 6, 2017 - Read Cardinal Wuerl's homily and view pictures from the 15th Annual Asian and Pacific Island Catholics Marian Pilgrimage.

Events in 2018

August 3-5, 2018 - The 2018 Hmong American National Catholic Association (HANCA) Leadership Training will be held at St. Anthony Retreat Center in Marathon, WI.

August 25-26, 2018 - The 2018 Korean American Catholics' National Charismatic Conference will be held at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center in Redondo Beach, CA. Please visit the website for more information.

August 31 - September 2, 2018 - The National Conference of Burmese-American Catholics' (NCBAC) 9th Annual Gathering will be held at the W.K. Kellogg Auditorium in Battle Creek, MI. To donate, please check the NCBAC website and check back for more information.

September 15, 2018 - The Diocese of Arlington's Filipino Ministry of Northern Virginia's Mass in honor of San Lorenzo Ruiz's feast day will be held at St. Bernadette Catholic Church in Springfield, VA. Please check the flyer for more information on how to donate to the event.

September 16, 2018 - The Archdiocese of Milwaukee's Asian Pacific Unity Day will be held at the Cousins Center in Milwaukee, WI. Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki will be the main celebrant and a festive dinner will follow.

September 28, 2018 - The Archdiocese of Washington's Mass in honor of San Lorenzo Ruiz's feast day will be held at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Kensington, MD. A reception will follow the Mass. Please check the flyer for more information on how to donate to the event.

September 30, 2018 - The Archdiocese of Chicago's Asian Catholic Initiative's 2nd Asian Community Mass will be held at St. Celestine Catholic Church in Elmwood Park, IL. His Eminence Cardinal Blase Cupich will be the main celebrant and a potluck reception will follow immediately after the Mass.

October 13, 2018 - The 3rd Annual International Cultural Festival, hosted by the Asian & Pacific Catholic Network (APCN), will be held at Bishop O'Connell High School in Arlington, VA. Festival goers can enjoy a lively festival with food, crafts, and cultural shows.

October 14, 2018 - The Filipino Ministry of the Archdiocese of San Francisco's Annual Gala will be held. Check back for more information.

November 11, 2018 - Subcommittee on Asian & Pacific Island Affairs meeting will be held in Baltimore, MD.

Ongoing Events

Ongoing - Shalom World hosts a number of events periodically across the country. Check the website for dates and locations.

Past Events

July 27-29, 2018- The 5th Annual Gathering of the Karenni-American Catholic Association was held in Phoenix, AZ.

June 23, 2018- The 21st Annual National Filipino Pilgrimage in honor of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage was held at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC. Most Reverend Francisco M. de Leon, D.D., fourth bishop of Antipolo, was the main celebrant.

June 22, 2018 - The Diocese of Arlington's Mass for Multicultural Ministries was held at St. Neumann's Catholic Church in Reston, VA. Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge was the principal celebrant and homilist.

June 12, 2018 - Subcommittee on Asian & Pacific Island Affairs meeting was held in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

May 24, 2018 - Day of Prayer for the Church in China. The Archdiocese of Washington's Day of Prayer for the Church in China celebration was held at St. Mary's Parish Hall in Rockville, MD.

May 5, 2018 - The 16th Annual Asian and Pacific Island Catholics Marian Pilgrimage was held at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC. This annual event brought together many Asian and Pacific Islander Catholic communities to celebrate their heritage and Marian devotions. Most Reverend Oscar A. Solis, bishop of Salt Lake City and chairman of the Subcommittee on Asian and Pacific Island Affairs, was the main celebrant and homilist.

May 2018 - Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.

February 15-17, 2018 - Building Intercultural Competence for Ministers (BICM) Training during the Mid-Atlantic Congress (MAC) was held at the Hilton Baltimore hotel in Baltimore, MD.

February 16-17, 2018 - An Asian and Pacific Islander Catholics Gathering at MAC was held in Baltimore, MD. There was a keynote presentation by Fr. Ricky Manalo and breakout sessions with Fr. Ricky Manalo, Dr. Stephen Cherry, and Dr. Seggy Acosta.

February 16, 2018 - 新年/Chinese New Year (一年的狗/Year of the Dog)

February 16, 2018 - Vietnamese Tết (New Year)

February 3-6, 2018 - The Catholic Social Ministry Gathering was held in Washington DC. The theme of the event was "Building Community: A Call to the Common Good". In conjunction with the CSMG, the Diversity Outreach Initiative (DOI) also took place. The DOI seeks to develop leaders from diverse Catholic communities for ministry in the Church.

December 15-23, 2017 - Many archdioceses and dioceses celebrate Simbang Gabi, a Filipino tradition of Novena Masses (nine consecutive days) celebrated in parishes across the country leading up to Christmas. It is "a privileged votive mass, i.e., a mass that does not correspond to the liturgical calendar but has a special intention" said Philippines Church historian Fr. Rex Andrew Alarcon. Watch the Archdiocese of Washington's video explaining what Simbang Gabi is.

November 11, 2017 - Subcommittee on Asian & Pacific Island Affairs meeting was held in Baltimore, MD.

November 7-10, 2017 - The National Association of Filipino Priests 3rd General Assembly was held in Houston, TX. The theme of the event was "Joyfully & Faithfully Sharing God's Mercy". The assembly had a number of guest speakers discussing various topics, including USCCB President, His Eminence Cardinal DiNardo and Most Reverend Oscar A. Solis, SCAPA Chairman.

October 15, 2017 - The Archdiocese of San Francisco's 7th Annual Filipino Ministry Dinner-Dance Fundraiser was held at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption in San Francisco, CA. The theme of the event was "Heal the World Through Music"  which focused on Music Ministry and the spiritual power music has to bring people together, transcending boundaries.

October 7, 2017 - The 2nd International Cultural Festival, hosted by the Asian & Pacific Catholic Network (APCN), was held at Bishop O'Connell High School in Arlington, VA. Festival goers enjoyed a lively festival with food, arts and crafts, and vendors with participation from various countries, including: Philippines, India, Vietnam, Samoa, Guam, and more.

October 7, 2017 - The 2017 Marian Congress & Pilgrimage on the 100th Anniversary of Our Lady of Fatima was held at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC. Archbishop Bernardito C. Auza, D.D., Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations was the main celebrant and homilist. Fr. Wade L. J. Menezes, CPM, current Assistant General and former Director of Vocations & Director of Seminarians, was the guest speaker.

October 1-9, 2017 - The 25th International Week of Prayer and Fasting was held at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC. Most Reverend Joseph N. Perry, Episcopal Vicar for Vicariate VI of the Archdiocese of Chicago, was the main celebrant. Guest speakers included Immaculée Ilibagiza, Teresa Tomeo, and Eric Scheidler.

September 17, 2017- The Archdiocese of Baltimore's 7th Filipino Fiesta Celebration honoring San Lorenzo Ruiz and San Pedro Calungsod was held at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Baltimore, MD. The Triduum was held on September 12-14, 2017 prior to the fiesta. All Filipino organizations in DC, MD, VA, PA and NJ were invited to celebrate with Most Reverend William Lori, Archbishop of Baltimore.

September 9, 2017 - The Korean American Catholic Day of Prayer Vocation Conference was held at St. Paul Chung Catholic Church in Fairfax, VA. The theme for the event was "Come and see".

August 11-13, 2017 - The U.S. Catholic China Bureau's 27th Biennial National Conference was held at St. John's University in Queens, NY. The theme of the conference was "Experience of the Chinese Church in the 21st Century". Keynote speakers included: Fr. Joseph Zhang, Archbishop Eugene Nugent, and Fr. Joseph Jiang, SJ.