Auxiliary Bishop Robert Fedek was the main celebrant at St. Stephen Deacon and Martyr Parish in Tinley Park on Dec. 23, 2025 as the Archdiocese of Chicago celebrated its 39th annual Simbang Gabi novena Dec. 15 through Dec. 23. Sponsored by the archdiocese’s Asian Catholic Initiative, Simbang Gabi is one of the oldest and most revered Filipino Christmas traditions. Simbang Gabi (Night Mass) includes a nine-day novena to the Blessed Mother traditionally celebrated in a series of dawn Masses by Filipino Catholics around the world. The Masses include liturgies, music, native delicacies and the treasured parol, a Filipino star-shaped lantern that symbolizes the star of Bethlehem. In Chicago, Filipino Catholics have organized evening novena Masses since 1986. This year, 55 archdiocesan parishes celebrated Simbang Gabi Masses. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
The choir leads the congregation in song. Auxiliary Bishop Robert Fedek was the main celebrant at St. Stephen Deacon and Martyr Parish in Tinley Park on Dec. 23, 2025 as the Archdiocese of Chicago celebrated its 39th annual Simbang Gabi novena Dec. 15 through Dec. 23. Sponsored by the archdiocese’s Asian Catholic Initiative, Simbang Gabi is one of the oldest and most revered Filipino Christmas traditions. Simbang Gabi (Night Mass) includes a nine-day novena to the Blessed Mother traditionally celebrated in a series of dawn Masses by Filipino Catholics around the world. The Masses include liturgies, music, native delicacies and the treasured parol, a Filipino star-shaped lantern that symbolizes the star of Bethlehem. In Chicago, Filipino Catholics have organized evening novena Masses since 1986. This year, 55 archdiocesan parishes celebrated Simbang Gabi Masses. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Auxiliary Bishop Robert Fedek prays during Mass. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Children dressed as angels pray during Mass. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Parishioners pray during Mass. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Members of the choir sing during Mass. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Bishop Fedek blesses parols during Mass. Filipino parols (lanterns) are star-shaped Christmas decorations symbolizing hope, representing the Star of Bethlehem that guided the Three Wise Men. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Bishop Fedek accepts the gifts during Mass. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Parishioners pray the Our Father during Mass. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Father Tirso Villaverde, pastor of St. St. Julie Billiart Parish in Tinley Park, distributes Communion during Mass. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Children dressed as angels smile at the end of Mass. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Father Matthew A. Nemchausky thanks parishioners following Mass. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
parishioner smiles at the end of Mass near parols. Filipino parols (lanterns) are star-shaped Christmas decorations symbolizing hope, representing the Star of Bethlehem that guided the Three Wise Men. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Parishioners carry parols in the closing procession. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
An adult carries a parol and children walk behind in the final procession following Mass. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Children dressed as angels walk in the final procession Mass. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
The Knights of Columbus walk in the final procession during Mass. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Bishop Fedek walks in the final procession during Mass. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Aaron Velec helps his parents take off his angel costume following Mass. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
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