THE POONG JESUS Nazareno Filipino Catholic Center (PJNFCC), a newly established ministry facility in the Diocese of Orange, is scheduled to be blessed and inaugurated by Bishop Kevin Vann on Monday, July 21, at 5 p.m.
The PJNFCC, located at 3700 W. Orange Ave. in Anaheim, is the newest and currently the only existing Filipino Catholic Center in the United States. It is a joint endeavor of the Alagad Ni Maria (Philippine Disciples of Mary), and the Diocese of Orange San Jose Filipino Ministry (DOSJFM).
Alagad ni Maria is a clerical religious institute that has been serving the Diocese of Orange since 2007. The DOSJFM was established by Bishop Vann in 2021, the year of St. Joseph. It has its own set of bylaws, officers and lay leaders, and is part of the Ethnic Ministries of the Diocese of Orange.
The Center will serve three main purposes. First, it will be the home of an Official Replica of the Poong Jesus Nazareno coming from the Shrine in Quiapo Church Manila, when the sacred image is not visiting any of the various parishes in the different Dioceses of Orange, Los Angeles and San Bernardino. It will also house a replica of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage (Our Lady of Antipolo) coming from the Shrine in Antipolo, Rizal, which was declared an international Marian shrine in January 2024. Second, it will serve as a gathering place for our young people who want to learn about Filipino culture and heritage. Classes will be held on folk dancing, Filipino cooking and Tagalog lessons. Expanded educational cultural programs are in the works and are scheduled to begin in September
Lastly, the center will house the main administrative offices of Alagad ni Maria in the United States. The center sits in 1.4-acre property. It has a small chapel (capacity 180), a social hall with a kitchen, offices and classrooms, meeting/conference rooms and facilities for the youth and other ministry activities. The parking area can hold 90 vehicles.
The fast rising and developing Barkadahan Dance Troupe, the cultural arm of the DOSJFM, now holds its dance lessons and practices in the center’s social hall, much to the comfort and delight of the children and parents as well. Once fully operational, the center will be open Tuesday through Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The property is owned and administered by the Alagad ni Maria but fundraising efforts will continue with the goal of paying off the loan in the shortest time possible.
A mega raffle fundraiser is being held and to purchase raffle tickets contact Cheri Loreto at (714) 914- 6201. The drawing will take place on Aug. 8 during a dinner/dance event at the PJNFCC. For many Filipinos in our extended church community, the PJNFCC is a dream that is becoming a reality. We now have a home where we can pursue our mission to promote pride in our Filipino heritage and culture, where we can nurture and develop love and devotion to things Philippine. Prayers are requested for the success and flourish of our Filipino Catholic Center where education and immersion in our religious faith, culture and tradition will help shape the character of our young and the future generation of Filipinos in the United States.