Faith & Religion - Fe y religion
Local Priest Credited for Saving Lives During Church Fire
BY CHRISTY MARTINEZ- GARCIA FOR LATINO LUBBOCK MAGAZINE
LA VIRGEN DE GUADALUPE: Our Lady of Guadalupe of Lubbock Guadalupanas gathered for a photo before the observance honoring la Virgen de Guadalupe.
KOC 25TH ANNIVERSARY: Our Lady of Guadalupe Knights of Columbus #11807 celebrated their 25th Anniversary with a small gathering. Congratulations!
LOS MATACHINES: The Our Lady of Guadalupe Matachines danced their traditional religious dance. Their roots go back to a type of widespread medieval sword dance called a morisca.
GUADALUPANOS HONORING LA VIRGEN: Members of the Our Lady of Grace Men's Club participated in the mass honoring La Virgen de Guadalupe.
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you Ip afknow the stor of
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Muleshoe, Te x a s Father Heriberto Mercado, then you understand why many are referring to him as a hero. When the church caught on fire last month during the 8 a.m. Sunday morning service on December 12, 2021 - they had just started a mass celebrating the feast days of Immaculate Conception and honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe. Father Heriberto detected smoke and instead of immediately sounding the alarm, he remained calm and collected. He calmly made an announcement that the congregation leave the building. All 200 parishioners evacuated accordingly. It wasn’t until they were standing outside that they became aware that the church was on fire as the smell of smoke in the sanctuary
didn’t even phase most. Some thought it was the scent of incense they are accustomed to each Sunday. One member of the church, Juanita DelToro, said as soon as people reached the parking lot, they saw smoke and flames coming out of the building. “It was just a shock,” said DelToro sharing that many of the parishioners began to cry. Parish Council President, Rosario Cabrera, said there was damage to various areas of the church. Regardless, she said that all the parishioners were safe thanks to church officials and a quick-acting priest, likely preventing massive panic that may have saved lives. “We have a very brave and heroic priest,” she said. Moreover, the Church remains strong, and they are temporarily holding services in their fellowship hall located behind the church until further notice. If you would like to assist the church has a fire restoration fund at Happy State Bank, or, make an online donation on the Lubbock Diocese website (Catholiclubbock.org), click on Menu, select Give, scroll down to Parish Donation and select Online Give.
Attend the Candle Mass Day Día de la Candelaria
BY CHRISTY MARTINEZ-GARCIA FOR LATINO LUBBOCK MAGAZINE
ía de la Candelaria (Day D of the Candles or Candle Mass) happens on February
2, and is a Mexican celebration that is fusion of the Catholic influences and native Mexican tradition. It falls forty days after Christmas, and is celebrated by Catholics as the "Feast of Purification" or as the "Presentation of Christ at the Temple." According to Jewish law it was customary to bring a baby to the temple after that period of time had passed. So Jesus would have been taken to the temple on February second.
Another custom is for families to own an image of the Christ child, a Niño Dios. At times a godparent is chosen for the Niño Dios, who is then responsible for hosting various celebrations between Christmas and Candlemas. First, on Christmas Eve the Niño Dios is placed in the Nativity scene, on January 6th, King's Day, the child is brought presents from the Magi, and on February 2nd, the child is dressed in fine clothes and presented in the church. In addition, children receive a second round of Christmas presents on Jan. 6, Kings Day. Día de la Candelaria is a follow-up to the festivities of King's Day and Tamales are a favorite food of choice.
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Church Bulletins ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST CHURCH NEW YEAR SCHEDULE: NEW YEAR’S EVE MASS, Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God at Friday, December 31st at 5 pm NEW YEAR’S DAY MASS, Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God Saturday, January 1st at 10:00 am FEAST OF EPIPHANY MASS Sunday, January 2nd at 9:00 am and 11:00 am Located at 10805 Indiana Ave. THESOLEMNITYOFMARY,MOT HEROFGODMASSES: Our Lady of Guadalupe LBK will hold masses Friday, Dec 31st 6 pm in Spanish followed by adoration until 8 pm.; and Sat., Jan 1st at 10 am in English, at 1120 52nd St. BIBLE STUDY AT OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE CHURCH Father Piña’s Bible Study in English will be placed on hold until Wed, Jan 5th at 7 pm. at 1120 52nd St. El Estudio Bíblico en Español con Emilio Abeyta estará en espera hasta el Miércoles, 5 de Enero a las 7pm. SUPPORT FOR YOUR FAMILY: Catholic Charities Youth and Family department is still here to help families’ mental and emotional health. Case managers can help with family conflict, stress, anxiety and more. To be contacted by a case manager, fill out a form at cclubbock.org/ youth-and-families. KALEIDOSCOPE OF FAITH— January 21 & 22, 2022 at the Catholic Renewal Center in Lubbock. We will gather as Church family with featured speakers: Lucia & Ricardo Luzondo, Father Ricky Manolo & Joe Melendrez. For more information, please contact Sister Peggy Szeljack, 806-792-3943. SAVE THE DATE FOR THE SAN RAMON ANNUAL VALENTINES DANCE-Friday, February 11th, 2022— 7:00-12:00 p.m. in the Knights of Columbus Banquet Hall. Call the parish office at 806-863-2201 for details. DATES TO REMEMBER A s h Wednesday - March 2nd Palm Sunday - April 10th Easter Sunday - April 17th ONLINE MASS – Check www.catholiclubbock.org/Covid-19 for a listing. COUNSELING: Affordable marriage and family counseling offered by Marriage & Family Life Office, in collaboration with TTU Marriage & Family Clinic. For appointment, call Dr. Nicole Springer at 806742-3074. DIVINE MERCY Chaplet online at https://www.thedivinemercy.org/message/devotions/novena PRAY THE ROSARY ONLINE at https://www.cathedralofmary.org/faithformation/resources/pray-the-rosary-online
