It is in this spirit that we celebrated the 2009 Novena for Our Lady of Guadalupe. Each night, within the context of the mass we gathered to recall the miracle of 1531, to contemplate the miracles around us, and to recommit ourselves as a people in our journey towards Christ. Like Juan Diego, those from within our community lead the novena. They are the emissaries of Guadalupe who as parish groups represent a ministry or a facet of the community. Each night, one of the groups developed a theme reflective of their mission and wove into the action of the liturgy and into the traditions of this novena providing a message of hope and salvation to all during the Advent season.
December 12th: "Our Lady of Hope! - ˇSanta Maria de La Esperanza!" THANK YOU to all our benefactors, businesses and families for making December 12th and our Novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe a true miracle of reflection and celebration of the youth in our parish!
On the evening of December 12th, the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, a full church was greeted by Aztec dancers from the Ballet Folklorico of the Back of the Yarads Council to open the liturgy. Music from the Santa Cruz Mariachi and choir accompanied the prayer of the congregation. Fr. Agustin Monroy, CMF, preached inspiring words touching on the topic of how the older generation can witness the faith and enthusiasm of the younger generation, as Elizabeth saw in Mary, the Mother of God.
Fr. Bruce Wellems, CMF presided and dancers again presented gifts. Later in the celebration, Fr. Hector Navalo, CMF blessed the roses and plaques of those who restored the beauty of the parish. The plaques were hung in the back of the Church at the end of the mass with names of those who were presented by donors. All were kept in the prayers of the mass.
Roses are a sign of hope and transformation for our conrgegation, as we strive to serve and guide those families and youth in need. Every person who attended the mass on December 12th received a rose. Many families presented roses in thanksgiving for the miracles they experience in their lives.
After mass, everyone was invited to the hall for a convivencia, where the music of the marimba played, tamales and a delicious móle were served to about 1,000 people. Thanks to our businesses and parents, there was enough food and drink for everyone.
The memory plaques will remain in our Church for many years as we pray the continued good work to serve others in need continue. Thank you again to everyone who is committed to the parish mission. Thank you to those who contributed to the "Campaign of the Roses" in Holy Cross Church. Click here for the list of names.
Novena: December 3-11, 2009. (Click on dates to read of the celebration with pictures.)
December 3 "Facing Violence and Bringing Peace"
December 4 "Accompanying the Immigrants & Finding Hope"
December 5 "Children Are the Future"
December 6 "Encountering Peace in the Home"
December 7 "Employment & The Dignity of the Worker"
December 8 "Feeding the Hungry & Good News"
December 9 "Finding a Home"
December 10 "The Health and Well Being of our Families"
December 11 "A New Hope"
December 12, 2008
The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe Celebration
Mańanitas Morning song and prayer
7 pm Misa del Pueblo, blessing of roses and reception
Four hundred and sevety-seven (477) years ago, the Mother of God chose to appear as Guadalupe to a people yearning for hope in the face of despair in what today we know as Mexico City. She chose a native of that region who had taken the Christian name of Juan Diego to be her emissary. It was her will that he helped her communicate her love and compassion, as well as her commitment to accompany them along their life's journey leading them towards Christ, the child in her womb.
