Wintertime in Germany

The two great festivities, Christmas and New Year, were white-coloured due to strong and torrential snowfall in Germany. The temperature remained constantly below zero. Houses, streets, the surroundings were covered with snow. In some parts of the Ruhr area, the snow reached up to 50 centimeters. Some enjoy the snow because of the possibility of skating, sleigh riding, and other forms of winter sport. But the majority find it a burden because of the cold and stagnant atmosphere. Car doors are frozen and hard to open; winter tires are a must. Driving is dangerous because of slippery roads and highways, though salt is scattered everywhere. People outside are clothed from head to foot with thick winter attire. Many prefer to simply stay home.

Essen: a Culture City!

Essen, once a mining town, now a service industry center in Germany’s multicultural Ruhr region, has been named a European Capital of Culture for the Year 2010. Essen is the second largest city in North Rhine Westphalia with around 600 thousand residents, and the sixth largest city in Germany. Essen competed for the title under the motto: “Change through Culture – Culture through Change.” The other two named cities are Pecz (Hungary) and Istanbul (Turkey).  Istanbul, a non-European Union city, will be the last non-EU city to carry such a title.

The Cultural Capital Year officially kicked off last January 9.  A day before, the new Ruhr bishop, Franz Josef Overbeck, officiated a concelebrated Ecumenical Mass in the Essen Cathedral. In the evening, the church bells from the 53 Ruhr area cities rang announcing the opening of the Cultural Capital Year 2010. The official opening ceremony was held at the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site Zeche Zollverein, the region’s main landmark. German President Horst Köhler with European Commission President Jose Manuel Barosso and other political heavyweights were in attendance.  More than 10 thousand Ruhr residents braved the icy temperature to celebrate the grand opening until the early morning hours.

Feast of Santo Nino

The Filipino Prayer Group in Duisburg invited Fr. Manny Tamayo last January 10 to officiate the Holy Mass in anticipation of the feast of the Santo Nino. The celebration was held at the St. Boniface Hall owned by the Carmelites. After the Holy Mass, Fr. Manny blessed the statues of the Santo Nino and other religious items. The feast continued until late evening.

The main celebration of the feast of Santo Nino is scheduled on January 17 in St. Camillus Church in Essen Heidhausen. Fr. Dietmar Weber and Fr. Manny Tamayo will preside over the Holy Mass celebration. A big number from the Filipino Community in the Diocese is expected to attend.