Serving the community since 1922
Serving the community since 1922
Catholic singer Maggie Gutierrez, from Delano, serenades Our Lady of Guadalupe with inspiring Christian music.
Father José Luis Rico delivers a sermon, reminding the congregation of the holiday's significance.
Los Amigos del Inicio, a band from Shafter, fills the church with Latin American melodies during the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Saint Therese Catholic Church celebrated the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Dec. 12 with a special service honoring the Virgin Mary's apparition to Juan Diego, a Mexican peasant, in 1531. The Virgin Mary appeared to him on Tepeyac Hill near Mexico City, instructing him to have a church built in her honor. This event holds great significance for its role in spreading Catholicism throughout the Americas and is especially meaningful to Mexican and Latin American communities. The feast celebrates her as a symbol of compassion, unity and cultural identity.
Nearly 700 people attended the event throughout the day, with some traveling from as far as Los Angeles and the Bay Area. Following the service, attendees enjoyed a gathering featuring food, a theater production by Grupo Adoración and traditional dances performed by the catechism student group Matachinez. The festivities also included live music by the local band Los Amigos del Inicio and raffles with prizes, including a hand-painted portrait of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
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