Filipino-American Association of St. Magdalen's (FASTMAG)

The Filipino-American Association of St. Magdalen’s (FASTMAG) is a faithful and dynamic group of over 100 parishioners of Filipino descent, who are dedicated to Christ and supporting the mission of his Church. Deeply rooted in the rich 
World Youth Day, Manila 1995

Every year, civic life in the Philippines is put on hold for the “Feast of the Black Nazarene,” as an estimated eight million Filipino faithful follow an iconic image of Christ through the crowded streets of Manila. This very public display of faith is emblematic of the people’s great desire to make Jesus the center of their lives and their commitment to follow where he leads. Filipino men and women of faith bring this same zeal for Christ to parishes all across the United States., FASTMAG brings to our parish the vibrant and unique spiritual customs of their island nation. FASTMAG is one of our parish’s most generous donors of time, talent and treasure, steadfast supporters of our pastor and our parish’s mission to heed Jesus’ call to “Come and follow me.” FASTMAG is part of the Diocese of Metuchen Commission for the Filipino Apostolate (DMCFA).

 FASTMAG brings to our parish the vibrant and unique spiritual customs of their island nation. FASTMAG is one of our parish’s most generous donors of time, talent and treasure, steadfast supporters of our pastor and our parish’s mission to heed Jesus’ call to “Come and follow me.” FASTMAG is part of the Diocese of Metuchen Commission for the Filipino Apostolate (DMCFA).

 

FASTMAG Formation and Introduction of the Novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help

FASTMAG was formed in 2003 at the request of Fr. Tim, our pastor, and placed under the spiritual guidance of then parochial vicar Fr. Joey Cervantes, a native of the Philippines. Under the careful oversight of ten elected officers from St. Magdalen’s Filipino community, the association’s first and most foundational contribution to our parish was the introduction of the weekly Novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help, a popular Catholic devotion which began in Europe in the 14th century and spread throughout the world, taking especially firm root in the Philippines. This powerful devotion to Mary has become a unifying spiritual anchor at St. Magdalen’s and undergirds all of the meaningful work FASTMAG does for our parish. The Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help is every Wednesday at 5:30 pm.

FASTMAG’s jubilant faith and welcoming spirit are an attractive public witness to the power of Jesus’ presence in their lives!

Contributions to Parish Life

With a joyful and welcoming heart, FASTMAG promotes harmony and connection in Christ among all members of our diverse parish by sponsoring spiritual, social and educational events including:

• The annual Unity Night, bringing people of varied ethnicities together to experience Filipino culture through the sharing of prayer, native music, dance and food
• The summer picnic at Deer Path Park, where parishioners enjoy food, games and fellowship
• The annual Feast Day of Our Mother of Perpetual Help

FASTMAG also regularly provides traditional Filipino refreshments at parish wide celebrations including the Weekly Novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help, the Feast of Corpus Christi, 40 Hours of Eucharistic Adoration, and St. Magdalen's annual Music and Food Fest.

Centered in the Sacramental Life of the Church

Since its inception, FASTMAG has played a significant role in helping to bring parishioners closer to Christ through their support of the sacramental life of the Church. Their consistent participation at daily Mass, Eucharistic adoration, the various feast days, and devotional and social activities of the parish is a living embrace of Jesus’ intimate invitation into communion with him. In addition, just as Catholics throughout the centuries have built the resplendent cathedrals of the world through their generous donations and humble hands, FASTMAG’s fund-raising efforts and significant donations have helped build our Spiritual Formation Center, enhance our liturgical celebrations, and bring sacramental beauty into our Church.

FASTMAG Donations Enrich the Sacramental Life of Our Church

Monstrance

For over one thousand years, Christians, realizing that Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist, have been drawn to adoration of him in the Eucharist even outside of Mass. The Monstrance is the sacred vessel used to show Christ in the Blessed Sacrament to the people for adoration and prayer.

This monstrance was crafted in 1912 and donated in celebration of the Year of the Eucharist.

Vestments

In the liturgy (Mass), all the sights and sounds should remind us of our glorified heavenly future; all the brokenness of this world will be healed and perfected in heaven. So the priests do not wear ordinary clothing in the Mass, but elaborate, ornamented, festive garments called vestments to remind us that in the liturgy we participate in this heavenly reality which is “here but not yet.” Blue is the traditional color for the Blessed Mother- the chasuble, pictured here, highlighted with blue and gold is used for celebrations of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Crucifix

The General Instruction on the Roman Missal directs that a crucifix should be displayed prominently in the sanctuary of every Church. Although the liturgy is the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection, the crucifix is a powerful sacramental sign, reminding us that in order to be raised up with Jesus to heaven, we must also convert our lives, take up our crosses, and share in Christ’s passion. This magnificent crucifix which graces our sanctuary was hand carved in Italy.

St. Augustine Statue

This hand carved statue of Saint Augustine is one of the many sacred statues displayed in our Spiritual Formation Center. Throughout the year, as our CCD students walk the halls and enter classrooms, they are surrounded by images of heroic saints, inspiring them to strive for holiness. Every November, these statues are displayed in the Church for All Saints Day, a reminder that God calls each one of us to sainthood.

Icon of Our Mother of Perpetual Help

This sacred icon is a beautiful copy of the original which was painted in the 14th century. For over 500 years, Catholics have flocked to images of Our Mother of Perpetual Help seeking her intercession and maternal guidance.

Outdoor Nativity Scene

Saint Francis of Assisi is credited with creating the first nativity scene in 1223. Inspired after taking a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, he created a nativity hoping to draw his community into the splendor of the incarnation. We are blessed to have a radiant full size outdoor nativity scene of our own which invites all who visit our campus during Christmas into a deeper connection with the baby Jesus.

Encountering Jesus in the Liturgy Inspires Christ-like Witness in the World

Scripture shows us that when men and women had an authentic encounter with Christ, they were transformed and went out into the world spreading the Good News. In a similar way, energized and renewed by their intimate involvement in the liturgical and sacramental life of our parish, FASTMAG brings a joyous and welcoming spirit to others and has done significant work addressing the corporal needs of our community and beyond. Through the years, FASTMAG has donated tens of thousands of dollars to:

• St. Magdalen’s Hope House, providing food and clothing to the poor in our community
• The Poorest of the Poor Foundation, which helps build houses and communities in the Philippines
• CARITAS, an organization that helps the victims of natural disasters, including several typhoons that have ravaged the Philippines
• Healthcare initiatives in our local community

“Our mission is to humbly serve the Church,” says Bert Navoa, FASTMAG president. “We want to be connected with Christ and are honored to serve him in whatever way we can.”

Diocesan Collaboration

Anchored in the sacred rituals of the Catholic Church, FASTMAG pursues community building and fellowship in Christ beyond our parish. The association is very active with the Diocese of Metuchen Commission for the Filipino Apostolate (DMCFA) and regularly collaborates with Filipino-American groups in other parishes. Throughout the year, these organizations come together to celebrate:

• A Filipino Mass every four months using the various local dialects and highlighting the diversity of the Philippine language. FASTMAG also helped form a Filipino choir, to enhance these liturgical celebrations.
• The Feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila and San Pedro Calungsod, the first two Filipino saints
• Santacruzan, a Marian celebration of the Immaculate Conception
• Sinulog, a celebration of the Philippines’ acceptance of Roman Catholicism
• Pabasa, chanting the narrative of the life, passion, death and resurrection of Christ during Holy Week
• Salubong, an Easter celebration at dawn recreating the encounter of the Sorrowful Mother and the risen Christ
• Simbang Gabi, a devotional nine-day series of Masses in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary in anticipation of the birth of Christ. Each year, FASTMAG, sponsors an evening.

FASTMAG members join Bishop Paul T. Bootkoski at the annual Feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila. A missionary in Japan in the mid 17th century, Lorenzo suffered great persecution. Under extreme torture and the threat of death if he did not renounce his faith, the Philippine native declared, “"I am a Catholic and wholeheartedly do accept death for the Lord; If I had a thousand lives, all these I shall offer to Him."