You are here:HomeNewsLatest News 16 March 2021 Most Rev Anthony Randazzo, Bishop of Broken Bay along with the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Adolfo Tito Yllana will lead the community of the Church in a celebration of thanksgiving to mark the milestone of 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines this evening, 16 March 2021. At a commemorative Mass at Our Lady of Dolours Parish, Chatswood, celebrated by Bishop Randazzo, the Filipino born Apostolic Nuncio to Australia will preach the homily as hundreds from the Filipino Chaplaincy gather to honour the quincentenary of the Christian faith amongst their people. The Mass will be celebrated 500 years to the day when, on 16 March 1521 the first Spanish fleet arrived in the Philippines and planted the cross of Jesus Christ on the Island of Mactan in Cebu. The Filipino Chaplaincy Chatswood Parish choir will sing traditional Filipino hymns as part of the liturgy, sung in a combination of English and Tagalog, a reflection of the Filipino community’s integration and positive impact in the Australian context. Filipino Australians are the fifth-largest expat community, accounting for 232,384 people in Australia at the last census. Of them, three quarters identify as Roman Catholic. The Philippines is the top birthplace of Catholics in Australia born overseas. With COVID-19 safety plans and restrictions in place, the large church of Chatswood will accommodate the maximum number to safely enable the celebrations. Event: Mass to commemorate 500 Years of Christianity in the Philippines Date: Tuesday 16 March 2021 Place: Our Lady of Dolours Catholic Church, 94 Archer St, Chatswood. Time: 7.30pm Due to COVID-19 restrictions, media wishing to attend must register in advance. The Filipino Chaplaincy in the Diocese of Broken Bay will be leading celebrations throughout the year to mark this significant milestone at various locations around the Diocese. The year-long commemorations include a “Flores de Mayo” (Flowers of May) celebration in honour of Our Lady on 9 May; a commemorative Mass to honour Filipino saints – San Lorenzo Ruiz and San Pedro Calungsod on 11 July; a re-enactment of the First Mass in the Filipino Archipelago on 17 October; and “Simbang Gabi” (Christmas Novena Masses) celebrations beginning 12 December.