BISHOP KEVIN VANN will officiate at the solemn dedication of the church and altar of the Poong Jesus Nazareno at the Filipino Catholic Center on Tuesday, July 21, at 5 p.m. The dedication of churches and altars is one of the earliest liturgical traditions of the Catholic Church and is an integral event for a newly built or acquired building and altar to be consecrated as a place of worship.
This first and only Filipino Catholic Center of its kind in the United States, the PJNFCC, was inaugurated by Bishop Vann exactly a year ago on July 21. The property was purchased by the Alagad ni Maria (Philippine Disciples of Mary) with assistance from the Diocese of Orange San Jose Filipino Ministry (DOSJFM). Partnering with the Alagad ni Maria will enable the DOSJFM to achieve its goal of providing cultural experiences for the younger Filipino generations as well as to enrich their Catholic heritage. The DOSJFM was established at the initiative of the Alagad ni Maria and is recognized as part of the Ethnic Ministries of the Diocese of Orange in a decree issued by the Bishop of Orange in June 2021.
The Alagad ni Maria priests obtained a replica of the Poong Jesus Nazareno (the Black Nazarene) from Quiapo, Manila, which was eventually housed in the Alagad ni Maria chapel on Magnolia Street in Anaheim when it arrived in March 2024. The image was visited various parishes in Southern California for some time, but the idea of finding a suitable permanent home for the Poon soon became a priority. The Poon’s home was also envisioned to become the Filipino Catholic Center for the cultural programs and activities of the DOSJFM. And so, the search for a suitable property site began. The search ended in February 2025, and escrow closed on the property in Anaheim three months later, in May 2025.
Finding the erstwhile Vietnamese Christian Church on 3700 W. Orange Ave., Anaheim was literally a godsend, and being able to raise almost 50% of its asking price was another blessing. On June 1, 2025, Fr. Peter Lavin, on behalf of the Alagad ni Maria priest community in the Diocese of Orange, received the keys as new owners of the property. The life-size replicas of the Poong Jesus Nazareno and Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage (popularly known as Our Lady of Antipolo) now permanently reside in the church at the property.
Some necessary repairs and improvements were made to convert the church into a Catholic worship place. The church has a seating capacity of 200. The existing church pews have recently been refurbished with new upholstery and new kneelers added. Masses are regularly held every day, except on Mondays when the center is closed. Masses in English are held on Tuesday through Friday at 6 p.m., and in Tagalog on Saturdays at 4:30 p.m. and on Sundays at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. The center’s facilities also include a fellowship hall with a 200-person capacity as well as three classrooms. These are utilized for folk dance and rondalla rehearsals, retreats, seminars, language classes, fellowships, social and cultural events and other religious gatherings. The Alagad ni Maria priests serving the Diocese of Orange also call the place home.
Please join us in this milestone event. As many devotees are expected to attend the dedication ceremonies, parking may be an issue; therefore, carpooling is highly encouraged.