Newsletter 2026 January
January 2026 vol.2
Chaplain’s Corner
Standing at the Door
January is like standing at a doorway. Behind us lies a year of joys and struggles; before us, a path still unfolding.
This January is special for the Philippine Community in Berlin. We are beginning not only a new year, but also our journey toward the 40th anniversary in 2026—four decades of faith, friendship, and shared life far from home.
In the Bible, forty is a sacred time of transformation: Israel in the desert, Jesus in prayer, humanity renewed after the flood. These were not easy moments—but they were moments when God shaped His people.
As migrants and families, many of us know these in-between spaces well. Faith became our compass. Community became our home.
As we begin this year, let us walk with gratitude for the past, openness to one another, and trust in God who has accompanied us all these years—and will continue to lead us forward.
Lord of new beginnings, bless our community as we walk toward our 40th year. Give us grateful hearts and the courage to move forward together. Amen.
- Fr. Simon Eric Boiser, SVD
Regular Church Events
First Week Devotional Masses
Let us begin the month with prayer and thanksgiving through our traditional first-week devotional Masses, all to be held at the Jugendheim, Bayernallee:
January 2
5:00 PM - Sacred Heart Novena before the Mass.
6:00 PM - 1st Friday Mass
January 3
4:00 PM - Novena to Our Lady of Manaoag before the Mass.
5:00 PM - 1st Saturday Mass
January 7
5:00 PM - Perpetual Help Novena.
Join us in these sacred devotions as we honour the Lord and our Blessed Mother, seeking blessings
Sunday Mass
Celebrate with us every Sunday:
2:30 PM: Adoration
3:00 PM: Rosary
3:30 PM: Mass
Blessing Schedule
Our community comes together after the mass for special blessings throughout the month. Join us for these meaningful celebrations:
January 4
Birthdays - every 1st Sunday
January 11
Wedding and anniversaries - every 2nd Sunday
January 18
Religious Items - every 3rd Sunday
January 25
Healing Prayer - every 4th Sunday
Sacramental Services
For baptism inquiry, please get in touch with Minda Moaje Barth:
mobile: +49 151 5428 70 26
Confession, Private Blessings, and Marriage Counselling
Please get in touch with Fr. Simon Boiser:
e-mail: simonsvd@gmail.com
mobile: +49 172 6860 147
Catechism Schedule for First Communicants
The catechism sessions for our First Communicants will continue in the month of January 2026. Parents and children are kindly reminded of the following schedule:
Time: 2:30–3:15 p.m.
Venue: Prayer Room of the Jugendheim
Schedule and Topics:
January 11 - Understanding the Eucharist
January 25 – The Sacrament of Reconciliation
These sessions aim to help the children grow in their understanding of the sacraments and to prepare them more deeply for their First Holy Communion. Parents are encouraged to support their children through regular attendance and prayer.
Children’s Catechism
The Children’s Catechism classes are held every second and last Sunday of the month, during the Sunday Mass. These sessions help children grow in faith through age-appropriate lessons, prayer, and reflection.
Time: 3:30–4:15 p.m.
Venue: Prayer Room of the Jugendheim
January Topics:
January 11 - Baptism of the Lord
January 25 – Walking with Jesus
Parents are encouraged to bring their children regularly and to support them in nurturing a joyful and active faith life.
Upcoming Church Events
Thursday, January 1
Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God
Let’s begin 2026 with faith and gratitude. January 1 is the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God, a special feast as we entrust the New Year to her loving intercession. Join us for our first Holy Mass of the year on January 1 at 3:30 PM. Come and celebrate the New Year with us in God’s presence.
Sunday, January 4
Sternsinger
The children of the Philippine Community are invited to join the German tradition of the Sternsinger (Star Singers) on Sunday, January 4, 2026, singing during the Sunday Mass.
Dressed as the Magi or Three Kings who visited the Holy Family, the children will sing traditional Christmas songs and share a message of faith, peace, and joy.
This nationwide annual action also supports children in need. This year’s proceeds will go to Bangladesh, where Sternsinger partner organizations work to free children from child labor and help them attend school.
We warmly encourage our children to take part in this meaningful tradition of faith and solidarity.
Thursday, January 15
St. Arnold Janssen Day
On Thursday, January 15, the Philippine Community is warmly invited to join the celebration of the Feast Day of St. Arnold Janssen, founder of three missionary congregations: the Divine Word Missionaries (SVD), the Servants of the Holy Spirit of Perpetual Adoration (SSpSAp, “Pink Sisters”), and the Missionary Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit (SSpS, “Blue Sisters”).
A common Mass celebration with the German parish community will take place at 6:00 PM. Our Filipino Chorale will participate during the Mass, and the SVD Lay Partners will assist during the fellowship after the celebration.
The German Parish and the Filipino Community in Bayernallee were founded and continue to be pastorally cared for by the Divine Word Missionaries. All Filipino chaplains and parish priests who have served—and continue to serve—the community are SVD missionaries.
Everyone is warmly invited to celebrate this feast in gratitude for the missionary spirit and pastoral care that continue to guide our community.
Friday, January 16
Basic Formation on the Creed of the Catholic Church
Those who wish to deepen their Catholic faith are warmly invited to join the Basic Formation on the Creed of the Catholic Church. This program offers a meaningful appropriation of the faith for mission ad extra, collaborative discernment and service, and ongoing formation in faith and spirituality.
The theology program is open to all interested lay Catholics and will take place at least once a month, either online or in person. The sessions will be led by Fr. Manny Cruz, together with members of the Lay Core Ministry based in Bonn and Hamburg.
For those interested, there will be an online orientation meeting on Friday, January 16, at 8:00 PM, during which the program overview, expectations, and schedule will be presented.
For registration & inquiries, please contact the chaplain: simonsvd@gmail.com; +49 172 6860147
All are encouraged to take part in this formation to grow in understanding, strengthen their faith, and be better equipped for Christian witness and service.
Sunday, January 18
Feast of the Santo Niño
The Philippine Community will celebrate its annual Feast of the Santo Niño on Sunday, January 18. Please note that the Holy Mass will begin earlier than usual, at 2:30 PM.
After the Mass, the celebration will continue with the Sinulog Dance, with various groups from the community taking part. In this spirit, the Cofradia Devotees proudly share their Sinulog 2026 logo.
Those interested are kindly requested to submit their names to Sis. Veron Boensch. Dance groups are also reminded to organize practices and costumes early.
As we mark 40 years of devotion (1985–2025), we continue to share and pass on this beautiful tradition of faith to others. A fellowship will follow the celebration.
Viva Pit Señor!
Sunday, January 25
Word of God Sunday
Word of God Sunday will be celebrated on Sunday, January 25. The celebration will begin with a Bible Enthronement before the Mass at 2:30 PM, followed by a Blessing of the Bibles during the Mass.
The Church invites all Catholics to rediscover the beauty, power, and importance of Sacred Scripture in our daily lives. The Bible is not only a book to be read, but God’s living Word that guides, consoles, challenges, and strengthens us as individuals, families, and as a community of faith.
After the Mass, the Bible Sharing Group will organize a special program for children, featuring Bible games and interactive activities, helping them learn to love and appreciate the Holy Scriptures in a joyful and meaningful way.
Everyone—children, youth, and adults—is warmly invited to take part in this celebration. Let us bring our Bibles, listen attentively to God’s Word, and renew our love for Scripture as the foundation of our faith and life.
Upcoming Community Events
NOTICE OF RESUMPTION OF OVERSEAS VOTER REGISTRATION
Registration Period: 01 December 2025 to 30 September 2027
Notice is hereby given that Republic Act No. 9189 as amended by Republic Act No. 10590, and COMELEC Resolution No. 11171, all citizens of the Philippines abroad, who are not otherwise disqualified by law, and who are at least eighteen (18) years of age on or before 08 May 2028, may register as overseas voters for purposes of participating in the 2028 Philippine Elections Overseas.
Where to file? All qualified Filipino citizens who are not yet registered overseas voters may file their applications for registration/certification:
• At any Philippine Embassy, Consulate, Manila Economic and Cultural Office, or designated Post abroad; or
• At designated registration centers in the Philippines
What to bring? Applicants are advised to bring the following requirements:
• Valid Philippine Passport; or
• For seafarers: Seafarer’s Record Book (SRB), or
• For dual citizens: Original or certified true copy of Order of Approval of Filipino Citizenship or Identification Certificate
Missionary Families of Christ
As we welcome the new year, Missionary Families of Christ (MFC) gathers with grateful hearts and a renewed spirit. May our moments of prayer, service, and fellowship strengthen our faith and deepen our unity as one family in Christ. Please take note of our January activities and join us as you are able.
General Prayer Assembly
Saturday, January 17 at Bayernallee
A powerful gathering of praise, thanksgiving, and intercession for our families and community.
Music Ministry at the Holy Mass
Every 4th Sunday of the Month
Lifting our voices to glorify God through music and worship.
Intercessory Prayer
Every Wednesday (Online via Messenger)
A dedicated time to pray for one another, our families, intentions, and the world.
Everyone is welcome—families, friends, and newcomers!
Come and be renewed in faith, hope, love, and service. We look forward to growing with you!
The Loved Flock
With joyful hearts, The Loved Flock, warmly invites everyone to join us this January for a meaningful time of prayer, worship, and fellowship. Let us grow together in faith as one community united in Christ.
2000 Hail Marys
Saturday, January 3 at the residence of the Delantar Family (Alma & Gerry).
Let us come together for a full day of prayer and intercession,
Music Ministry Service at Holy Mass
Sunday, January 4
The Music Ministry will serve during the Holy Mass. Praise & Worship and practice will begin at 1:00 PM.
Prayer Meeting
Sundays, January 11 & 18 at the Jugendheim, 2nd floor
Let us continue lifting our intentions and nurturing our fellowship through prayer.
St. Anthony Devotees
We invite you to join our Monthly Prayer Meeting every last Tuesday of the month. This gathering is a blessed moment for all of us to pause, pray together, and lift up our intentions through the intercession of St. Anthony of Padua. Whether you are praying for guidance, healing, family, or thanksgiving, you are welcome to bring your intentions to this monthly devotion.
The Bible Sharing Family & SVD-Lay Partners
The Bible Sharing Family together with the SVD-Lay Partners continues to offer rich opportunities for prayer, reflection, and community. Join us in our following activities for this month:
Wednesday, January 14 - Missiology 4th part “Anthropological foundations; the “Anthropos Tradition”
Thursday, January 15 - Feast of St. Arnold Janssen
Sunday, January 25 - Word of God Sunday. Bible Sunday celebration together with the St. Anthony Devotees, Legion of Mary, CWL, CFC, Shalom, Bible Sharing Family, Loved Flock, MFC.
Thursday, January 29 - Feast of St. Joseph Freinademetz.
If you are interested to know more about us please contact: Gloria M. Lange –
gloria59@gmx.de
COFRADIA Devotees
Feast Light Berlin
Join us for the first Feast Live worship of the year on January 25, 2026, at 11:30 AM, at the Jugendheim (1st floor), Bayernallee 28, Berlin. We joyfully gather again as one community for prayer, fellowship, and the Word. Everyone is welcome—let us come together to celebrate God’s love. See you there!
Catholic Women’s Singing Group (CWSG)
Ministry in Song
The Catholic Women’s Singing Group (CWSG) will accompany the Holy Mass at the Home for the Aged (Haus Malta) on Wednesday, January 21, at 3:30 PM. Through their songs, they hope to share comfort, hope, and prayer with our elderly brothers and sisters. On the same day, the group will have rehearsal at the Jugendheim at 1:00 PM.
Would you like to join the singing ministry? Please contact the chaplain or Baby Lüdecke for more information.
January Birthday Celebrants
Janet Cortes-Künzel, Marynelle Jaralve
Emma Aboyo-Krejci, Adria Liebenau; Michael Brandeis;
Jayden Redado, Jonathan Redado Detlef Schulz, Maurine Roa
Roselle Vinluan; Jeciel Pajo
Severina Mede
Regine Marie Magtipon
Josephine Farjansjah
Roxanne Abando
Bon Jaralve; Nelly Fenten
Linda Malaluan
Irwan Farjansjah
Jomar Gangcuangco
Eimie Magaso, Cris Marie Bonggo
Regina Hausman
Nelita Reinicke
Kent Contreras
If you wish to be part of our birthday celebrants, feel free to register and reach out to any of the pastoral team members.
If you would like to support our church with a donation, please send your contribution to the following bank details:
Bankverbindung: Erzbistum Berlin Phililpp. Gemeinde Bayernallee
IBAN: DE06 3706 0193 6001 4610 18
BIC: GENODEDIPAX
Kontonummer: 6001 461 018
BLZ: 37060193 (Pax-Bank eG)
Stay informed!
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Philippine Catholic Community in Berlin
Bayernallee 28, 14052 Berlin
Germany