For many Filipinos working in northern Taiwan, Christmas happens quietly. There is no long holiday leave, no extended family dinners, and often no break from work. But in Taoyuan, one church continues to offer something familiar during the season.
Immaculate Heart of Mary Church has become a steady Christmas stop for Filipino OFWs living and working near factories, industrial parks, and residential care homes in Taoyuan. Each December, it opens its doors to workers who want to celebrate the season with prayer, language, and community they understand.
Why This Church Matters to Filipino OFWs in Taoyuan
Taoyuan is home to many Filipino factory workers and caregivers. Long shifts and rotating rest days make it hard to attend services far from home or in central Taipei. Immaculate Heart of Mary Church fills that gap.
The church regularly offers Masses in Tagalog and English, making it easier for OFWs to participate fully. During the Christmas season, the atmosphere becomes even warmer. Many attend Simbang Gabi after work, still wearing jackets from the cold night air, grateful for a familiar space to pause and pray.
Community potluck meals often follow evening Masses. For OFWs who rarely share meals with others, these moments can feel just as important as the Mass itself.
Simbang Gabi Schedule 2025
Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Taoyuan
December 15 to December 20 – 6:00 PM
December 21 (Sunday) – 5:30 PM
December 22 to December 23 – 6:00 PM
Languages: Tagalog and English
These evening schedules are designed for OFWs who finish work late and can only attend after their shifts.
Christmas Mass Schedule 2025
Christmas Eve – December 24, 2025
- 6:00 PM
This Mass is commonly attended by workers who are scheduled to work on Christmas Day.
Christmas Day – December 25, 2025
- 10:30 AM
- 6:00 PM
Both services welcome Filipino and international parishioners, with a strong OFW presence.
New Year Mass Schedule
Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
January 1, 2026
- 10:30 AM
- 6:00 PM
This Mass is often treated by OFWs as a quiet way to begin the new year with intention and prayer.
How to Join the Christmas Masses
No registration is required. Parishioners are encouraged to arrive 15 to 30 minutes early, especially during Simbang Gabi and Christmas Eve, as seating can fill up quickly.
Services are held in Tagalog and English, and community potluck meals sometimes follow evening Masses. Bringing food is welcome but not required. Many first time attendees simply come, sit, and feel included.
A Small Church, A Strong Community
Immaculate Heart of Mary Church may not be as widely known as larger parishes in Taipei, but for Filipino OFWs in Taoyuan, it plays a vital role during Christmas.
It is a place where tired workers gather, where familiar hymns are sung, and where simple shared meals turn strangers into friends. In a season that often highlights distance from home, this church offers connection.
For Filipinos spending Christmas in Taoyuan, Immaculate Heart of Mary Church quietly reminds them that even far away, they are not alone.