Hobart's Philippine community has flocked to Saint Paul's Catholic Church for years, but this festive season other cultures are joining them — nine nights in a row.
In a church in Hobart's outer northern suburbs, the walls echo with the sounds of Philippine hymns and Christmas carols.Hobart's Philippine community is inviting other cultures to take part in its Christmas celebrationsThe mass is followed by a community meal with traditional Philippine food
Parishioner Florence Parker helped organise the masses, called Simbang Gabi — Philippine for Night Mass — and said the tradition had been tweaked to suit Australian families. The mass includes readings in Tagalog, Arabic and English, and traditional Philippine devotions including mass-goers kissing a statue of baby Jesus.
"This parish has the first Filipino [priest] here in Southern Tasmania, so we like to support our own, and also it's nice to be able to have a gathering with all Filipinos," Ms Parker said.
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