Cebu parishes have option to cancel Simbang Gabi masses due to Odette

The parishes under the jurisdiction of the Archdiocese of Cebu, including suffragan dioceses Bohol and Dumaguete, have the option to cancel Simbang Gabi masses due to the onslaught of Typhoon Odette.

"In view of Typhoon Odette’s serious threat and expected landfall, the decision whether to continue our celebration or if ever, the cancellation of the Misa de Gallo in the parishes and other venues is left to the discretion of the Team of Pastors and Parish Priests based on the Risk Assessment of their respective parish situations," according to the social media post of the Chancery of Cebu.

"The same discretion covers the possibility of having our parish churches and facilities as evacuation centers for our affected brothers and sisters.  We continue to pray the Oratio Imperata for Deliverance from Typhoon Odette."

The Parish of the Alliance of Two Hearts in Banawa, Cebu City has opted to cancel the masses on the evening of Dec. 16 and early morning masses the following day.

In Mandaue City, the Misa de Gallo masses at the Christ the King Parish have been cancelled and will resume of Saturday, Dec. 18.

In a social media post, the parish took note of the expected heavy downpour in Cebu province on Thursday evening.

"Because of this, let us just suspend our Misa de Gallo tomorrow in 4 venues within the parish, namely: Christ the King parish church, and the 3 covered courts of Opao, Umapad and Ibabao Estancia. We will resume our Misa de Gallo on the 18th that is Saturday. Stay safe everyone. May Christ our King and Mary, Help of Christians protect us from this calamity."

The online mass of the Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Cebu on Thursday evening was cancelled.

"We apologize for the inconvenience. Our live Simbang Gabi Mass for December 16, 2021 is cancelled due to technical difficulties brought by the Typhoon Odette."

"We ask our brothers and sisters at home to continue to pray for everyone's safety. Thank you and keep safe always. May God, together with the Our Lady of Guadalupe de Cebu, protect us all from all dangers brought by the typhoon."

Simbang Gabi is the traditional nine-day votive masses that many Filipino Catholics look forward to in anticipation of the celebration of the birth of Christ on Christmas Day. The dawn masses are attended by families and friends as many also expect having a the traditional breakfast of puto bumbong and bibingka with a cup of hot chocolate.

Others still believe, although unfounded, that after attending all nine masses, one can get toutter a wish and this would be granted.

Based on the 8 p.m. Tropical Cyclone Bulletin posted by PAGASA, Cebu province is among the areas placed under Signal No. 4.  -- BAP, GMA News