Past Events
500th Year of Christianity in the Philippines Opening Festivities June 26, 2021 Christ Cathedral
San Jose Filipino Ministry Sponsors Advent Events in Orange CountyIn its inaugural year, the San Jose Filipino Ministry is on a roll welcoming the holidays with two main events this year – an Advent Retreat and “Paskuhan ng Pamilyang Pilipino”. The Advent Retreat with Bishop Timothy Freyer was held on Saturday, Dec. 4th at St. Pius Church Parish Hall in Buena Park. Some 200 Filipino faithful from Orange County and neighboring cities attended the retreat which was followed by a Mass celebrated by the Bishop
A superb speaker, Bishop Freyer related very well with his Filipino audience. He started his talk with a background on the coming of Christianity to the Philippines 500 years ago in 1521. This is an event that Filipinos all over the world are celebrating this year, and in Orange County this big anniversary celebration at the Christ Cathedral on June 25, 2021 attended by more than 2,000 guests, was sponsored by the SJFM. He also talked about the gift that Christianity brought which is the Good News of our salvation and God’s never ending love for mankind which is so great that He sent to the world His only begotten Son who died on the cross as the ultimate sacrifice for our redemption. Bishop Freyer also spoke on a variety of topics such as evangelization and the gift of the sacraments particularly the sacrament of reconciliation and anointing of the sick. We were reminded that Jesus Christ came in humble beginnings as a babe in a manger. We were also reminded to be prepared for His second coming as well.
“I found this Advent recollection very uplifting and appropriate for our preparation for the coming of our Savior”, remarked Liz Juan, a parishioner from Holy Family in Artesia, after hearing the Bishop speak at the retreat.
The SJFM’s second holiday event, “Paskuhan ng Pamilyang Pilipino”, was held on Friday, Dec. 10th at St Irenaeus Church Parish Hall in City of Cypress. “Paskuhan” from the word “Pasko” (Pascua), roughly means “gathering for Christmas”. It is the Ministry’s first attempt at a diocesan-wide Christmas event aimed at bringing together Filipinos from parishes all over the Diocese of Orange in one big celebration. Paskuhan started with the Holy Mass celebrated by Fr. Binh Nguyen, Pastor of St. Ireneaus. He commended the SJFM for its goal of unification of Filipinos in the Diocese of Orange. After Mass, festivities were held in the Parish Hall which featured a choir caroling contest, giving of gifts to children (“mano po” pamasko for kids), vocal solo from a young singing talent, a short video clip of Filipino artists singing Christmas carols, community singing, and a free raffle drawing. A light food fare of pancit, empanada, fruit and coffee was served to some 180 guests in attendance. A modest but good start, according to Fr. Anthony Bautista from Alagad in Maria, the congregation of priests behind the establishment of the SJFM.
Paskuhan program emcee Rico Lagman gave a brief background on the founding and organization of the San Jose Filipino Ministry. The newest ministry under the Ethnic Ministries of the Diocese of Orange, the San Jose Filipino Ministry was officially established and recognized by the Diocese on June 1, 2021. It was named in honor of St. Joseph, whose jubilee year we celebrated in 2021. The SJFM’s mission is to assist in the spiritual growth, provide resources and help enrich the faith, culture and tradition of Filipinos and Filipino-Americans in the Diocese of Orange. Its vision is to unite and bring together all Filipinos and Filipino Americans to live as witness of the Good News with faith, hope and charity. For more information on the SJFM and its programs, please visit our website at www.dosjfm.org. Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/DOSJFM.
Join this faith experience!
Devotion to Poong Jesus Nazareno, a profound expression of Filipino Catholic faith, symbolizing identification with Christ’s suffering, a source of miracles and hope through prayer and embracing sacrifice as a path to God’s grace.
Guest parking available at:
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
4000 W Orange Ave, Anaheim, CA 92804
Western High School
501 S. Western Ave, Anaheim, CA 92804
Parking at the PJNFCC is RESERVED for the clergy, choir and event volunteers.
CARPOOLING IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Recommended Attire – Your favorite PJN shirt if you have one, or any shirt/dress in shades of red or maroon color
Live Streaming at YouTube @PoongJesusNazareno
For more information go to www.DOSJFM.com or to facebook.com/DOSJFM
or click the links below
8th August 2025—PJNFCC Raffle Fundraiser Night
Our Mega Raffle Draw took place on 8 August 2025, at PJNFCC Anaheim, CA, bringing together hundreds of supporters from our community.
Thanks to your generosity, we raised vital funds for our parish programs and outreach efforts.
Congratulations to all the winners!
By Emilie Takahashi, The Orange County Register / OCregister.com, July 22, 2025, 10:09 AM
The Angelus (newspaper of Archdiocese of Los Angeles), July 22, 2025
Coverage of the whole Event link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ui_vDh_X7jA
Links to all available photos that our two photographers took:
https://rcbo.filecamp.com/s/o/N4AiGcSNtChb0Vjn
https://rcbo.filecamp.com/s/o/N909EgPSg8NAXqFd
The Philippine Inquirer- Inquirer.net US Bureau / July 20, 2025; 2:30 PM
By Paris Apocada, Catholic News Agency (CNA) , D.C. Newsroom, July 21, 2025; 11:00 AM
Blessing of the Poong Jesus Nazareno Filipino Catholic Center
21 July 2025
By Becky Tamondong, DOSJFM, July 1, 2025, Orange County Catholic
Newsroom of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange (RCBO), July 16, 2025 at 12:00PM
POONG HESUS NAZARENO
Viva Poong Hesus Nazareno!
They came with personal intentions and petitions for themselves and others. Some sought miracles of healing, conversion of loved ones, strength and help in their struggles – but above all – love for the Lord and gratitude for His presence. On Friday, March 1, the Christ Cathedral was overflowing with devoted Filipinos and people of faith to venerate the Poong Hesus Nazareno (Jesus of Nazareth) also known as the Black Nazarene.
They flowed into the cathedral for Mass that was presided over by Bishop Kevin Vann, who was vibrant with joy and is a close friend of the Filipino community.
Hundreds gathered outside the cathedral’s Cultural Center to see and touch the life-size replica carved in wood of the suffering Christ fallen on one knee and bearing the weight of the cross.
Devotees prayed and took pictures of the holy image that was gifted to the Diocese of Orange by a woman in the Philippines who was miraculously healed of cancer through the intercession of the Black Nazarene.
As a sign of veneration, devotees touched a maroon colored “panyolito” (handkerchief) with the Poong Hesus image and novena prayer inscribed on it in yellow and wiped the foot of the sacred statue.
The procession began with trumpets blasts and songs were sung in honor of Hesus Nazareno. The rosary was prayed aloud as the faith filled crowd meditated on the sorrowful mysteries.
Gina Quiniano, a parishioner from St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Huntington Beach, exclaimed numerous times during Mass, “The bishop is singing!” as she and others were deeply touched to see Bishop Vann joyfully leading the congregation in prayer.
Fr. Peter Lavin, A.M, superior of the Alagad ni Maria, known as the Disciples of Mary Religious Community and spiritual advisor to the San Jose Filipino Ministry, was instrumental in bringing the Poong Hesus to Orange. He gave a most passionate and booming homily in “Taglish” (Tagalog and English). He shared that the greatest miracles he has witnessed are conversions of hearts, “people changing their lives” with the help of the Lord.
“Together He is with us through all our trials and experiences in life,” said Fr. Peter.
He spoke of “the instrument of love” and the cross.
“Together, to ease our burden, brothers and sisters, especially those who are depressed, those who are suffering…the Lord is always with us.”
Fr. Peter expressed his gratitude to Bishop Kevin Vann who has been to the Quiapo Church in Manila where a replica of the image has been enshrined since Jan. 9, 1767.
The bishop witnessed the great devotion that the Filipino people have for the Black Nazarene and welcomed the opportunity to have an image locally in Orange.
The original image made of dark mesquite wood and was brought to the Philippines by the Augustinian Recollect Missionaries in 1606 is enshrined in the Recoletos Church in Intramuros.
On Jan. 9, the annual feast day, millions of devotees gather to participate in the procession called the “Traslacion” (the transfer of the image) of the Black Nazarene in which a replica statue is carried through Manila.
“I am aware that millions of Filipinos have a deep devotion and love for Poong Hesus Nazareno,” said Ike Quiaoit, chair of the Diocese of Orange San Jose Filipino Ministry Group.”
“But I never imagined that the exact replica of the 400-plus year old image from Quiapo Church in Manila would come and stay permanently in the Diocese of Orange, thanks to Fr. Peter Lavin and the clergy of Alagad Ni Maria. I consider it a tremendous blessing to be a part of the Diocese of Orange San Jose Filipino Ministry which is responsible for bringing our Poon not just to Filipino Catholics in Southern California but to all people of faith who wish to know Him.”
The Poong Hesus has also touched the lives of others who are not of Filipino descent, including Debbie and Matt Haag, owners of St. Joseph Catholic Books & Gifts in Anaheim. Years ago, a Filipino customer gifted Debbie with a statue of the Black Nazarene in thanksgiving for her father, Joseph France’s service in the 115th Battalion of the “Seabees” during World War II.
“They put in roads, ports and docks in Subic Bay near Manila,” said Debbie Haag. “He was part of the invasion force to free Lingayen Gulf in the Philippines (1943-1945). The memory that my dad was there, and now I have Him (Jesus) here for our customers to come in and venerate if they want to.” If parishes are interested in hosting the Poong Hesus Nazareno, please email inter-parish-coordinators@dosjfm.org
To stay up-to-date with Poong Hesus Nazareno, join the online community on Facebook: Diocese of Orange San Jose Filipino Ministry Group.
By DANIELLE TAYABAS 3/14/2024
(Source: Orange Country Catholic)
Diocese of Orange Welcomes the Poon Jesus Nazareno
On Friday, March 1, 2024, some 1500 Catholic faithful flocked to the Christ Cathedral in
Garden Grove, CA defying the threat of rain forecast for that day, to welcome the Mahal
na Poon Jesus Nazareno. Instead of rain, beautiful sunny skies prevailed so the planned
procession took place around the Cathedral Campus. The procession consisted of the
“carosa” (decorated flat carriage) bearing the Black Nazarene statue, hundreds of men
and women praying the rosary in synchronized fashion as they followed the statue, and
trumpeters for musical effect. The procession ended in the Cathedral where the Poon
Nazareno was carried by the Hijos de Nazareno to the front side of the altar. A solemn
Mass concelebrated by Bishop Kevin Vann, Christ Cathedral Rector Fr. Bao Thai, and the
Alagad Ni Maria priests formally welcomed the Poon to the Diocese of Orange.
Highlights of the liturgical celebration included the Holy Rosary Chamber Chorale of the
Federation of Rosary Groups of Orange County (FFRG-OC) which provided liturgical
music during the Mass. Deacon Cole Buzon, who did the gospel reading, will be
ordained priest on June 8, 2024 and will become the first home-grown Filipino priest in
Orange County. Everyone was invited to attend his ordination to be held at Christ
Cathedral. Ike Quiaoit, Chair of the Diocese of Orange San Jose Filipino Ministry
(DOSJFM), the sponsoring organization of this event, welcomed the congregation and
thanked those who have been instrumental in bringing over the Poon Nazareno to
California: Josephine Bautista, Roy Militante and Fr. Peter Lavin. In her closing remarks,
Becky Tamondong, DOSJFM Vice Chair, thanked everyone present for supporting this
endeavor aimed to deepen the faith of the Filipinos and Filipino-Americans in Orange
County. She also announced the ongoing recruitment of the Hijos and Hijas de
Nazareno – Catholic men and women who will primarily be in charge of the proper care
and maintenance of the Poon Jesus Nazareno, which is here with us to stay. Contact us
at info@dosjfm.com if interested.
The Poon Jesus Nazareno is known for the miraculous healing it bestows to believers in
need of healing. This replica of the Black Nazarene revered in Quiapo, Manila, was
brought to Orange County through the benevolence of Josephine Bautista, a long time
devotee of the Poon Nazareno. Through her devotion to the Poon, she herself was
miraculously cured from cancer. She has since made it her mission to promote devotion
to the Poon Nazareno. The Poon will be visiting various parishes. Communities or
ministries interested in hosting a visit of the Poon in their parish may contact the
DOSJFM via email at inter-parish-coordinators@dosjfm.org.
By Becky Tamondong, DOSJFM, 3.7.24
(Source: Philippine News Today)
Advent Retreat
Youth Walk
