For many Filipinos working in Taiwan, Christmas does not come with long breaks or family reunions. Work continues. Rest days are limited. Yet every December, one place in Taipei quietly becomes a home away from home.
St. Christopher’s Catholic Church along Zhongshan North Road is widely known as the OFW Church. During the Christmas season, it becomes a gathering point for Filipinos who want to hold on to faith, tradition, and community, even while far from home.
Why St. Christopher’s Church Matters to Filipino OFWs
Life as an OFW in Taiwan can feel especially heavy during the holidays. Many caregivers and factory workers still report for duty on Christmas week. At St. Christopher’s, Filipinos hear familiar languages, see familiar faces, and feel a sense of belonging that is hard to find elsewhere.
The church is accessible from Yuanshan, Minquan West Road, and Zhongshan Elementary School MRT stations. Even with short rest hours, many OFWs are able to attend evening Masses or early Sunday services.
Beyond worship, the church supports the Filipino community through counseling, legal guidance, health volunteers, and informal job referrals. During Christmas, this support becomes even more meaningful.
Simbang Gabi Schedule 2025
St. Christopher’s Catholic Church, Taipei
December 15 (Monday) – 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM
December 16 (Tuesday) – 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM
December 17 (Wednesday) – 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM
December 18 (Thursday) – 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM
December 19 (Friday) – 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM
December 20 (Saturday) – 8:00 PM
December 21 (Sunday) – 8:00 PM
December 22 (Monday) – 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM
December 23 (Tuesday) – 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM
Language: English
Filipino choir practices and community activities usually surround these Masses.
Christmas Mass Schedule 2025
Christmas Eve – December 24, 2025 (Wednesday)
Midnight Masses:
- 6:00 PM
- 9:00 PM
Christmas Play:
- 8:00 PM
This evening is one of the most attended by OFWs who finish work late and cannot attend daytime services.
Christmas Day – December 25, 2025 (Thursday)
Sunday Schedule
- 7:30 AM – Tagalog
- 9:00 AM – English
- 10:30 AM – English
- 12:00 Noon – Tagalog
- 4:30 PM – Vietnamese
- 6:00 PM – English
New Year Mass Schedule
New Year’s Eve – December 31, 2025 (Wednesday)
Midnight Masses:
- 6:00 PM
- 9:00 PM
New Year’s Day – January 1, 2026 (Thursday)
Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
Sunday Schedule
- 7:30 AM – Tagalog
- 9:00 AM – English
- 10:30 AM – English
- 12:00 Noon – Tagalog
- 6:00 PM – English
What to Expect During Christmas at St. Christopher’s
Christmas at St. Christopher’s feels familiar to many Filipinos. After Mass, small groups gather outside the church. Some share packed meals. Others line up at remittance kiosks or browse sari sari style pop ups nearby. Conversations flow easily, often about family back home, employers, or plans for the coming year.
Many OFWs describe the church as both altar and living room. You come to pray, but you also come to rest.
A Quiet Christmas Anchor for OFWs
For Filipinos spending Christmas in Taiwan, St. Christopher’s Church offers more than a schedule. It offers reassurance. In a season that can feel lonely, this church reminds OFWs that they are not alone.
Even for just a few hours, St. Christopher’s becomes a place where Christmas feels real again.