HAMMOND – Parishioners from St. Margaret Mary filled the neighboring fieldhouse at Bishop Noll Institute on Dec. 8 to celebrate the Blessed Mother with Bishop Robert J. McClory in a week that began with the feast day of the Immaculate Conception and continued with the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
“It is a day of celebration, a day of community, bringing people together,” said Valdemar Ayala, a St. Mary Margeret parishioner attending his second annual feast day Mass. “(Mary) is our mother, and in Mexican culture, as Jesus’ mother, she is very important to us.”
The congregation marked the feast days of the Virgin Mary, the patron saint of Mexico and the Americas, with joyful music led by the parish choir, the Guadalupanos, a procession to the altar led by women in colorful peasant costumes, and a dance of light performed by more than two dozen barefoot women of all ages honoring the Blessed Mother.
Bishop McClory noted that the Mother of God is worthy of celebration “because she brings us to Him.”
An emcee, Jirasol Jimenez welcomed the bishop of the Diocese of Gary and the faithful to a basketball court converted into a beautiful altar and nave. “There were so many religions in Mexico six hundred years ago, and Mary came to unite the people of Mexico, and so we show how grateful with are,” said Jimenez of the Virgin of Guadalupe who appeared to the peasant Juan Diego on a hilltop outside Mexico City in 1531 on Tepeyac Hill, while he was on his way to Mass. She asked him to ask the bishop to build a shrine to her there, where she would bless those who called upon her.
However, when Juan Diego requested this of the bishop, the bishop demanded proof of Mary’s vision. Juan Diego returned to the hill and found roses blooming although it was almost winter. He picked some flowers and brought them in his cloak to the bishop. When he opened his cloak, the flowers tumbled out and an image of the Blessed Mother was imprinted on the cloak. The bishop agreed to build a chapel on the hill.
“We are also pilgrims of God, so we can be better prepared (for his coming),” added Jimenez.
Bishop McClory recalled his own life in telling an analogy in his homily. Noting that he grew up in the Detroit area, where the Midwest weather is similar to that of Northwest Indiana, he admitted that he was always fascinated by snow plows that could so powerfully and efficiency “create a straight path” on the road.
Likewise, he repeated the words of John the Baptist in Isaiah 40:3-4: A voice proclaims: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD! Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God! Every valley shall be lifted up, every mountain and hill made low.”
Added the bishop: “Bumps and potholes should be made smooth for all shall see the salvation of God.”
By acknowledging “our love for God and seeing his mercy,” said Bishop McClory, “He says you don’t need to do it alone. ‘I’m coming to you,’ says God, ‘I’ll work with you and make the road smooth.’”
John baptized the people, said the bishop, saying: “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. (John 1: 29) Prepare your hearts to open them to God.
“Take off those clothes of mourning and put on the new … the Lord is given to mercy, see him in reconciliation,” urged the bishop.
Bishop McClory pointed out that many people have heavy burdens in their life – family, work, anxiety, “but today we celebrate, because (Mary) takes us to her son.
“Don’t define yourself by your obstacles, but define yourself by Jesus, who will compete the work in you. He will move that plow and make straight the path,” stressed the bishop. “Jesus is the one we can turn to for forgiveness of sins.”
Caption: Costumed as peasant women, and carrying small candles in their hands, dancers from St. Margaret Mary church closed the Mass on Dec. 8 in honor of the Immaculate Conception and Our Lady of Guadalupe. With a congregation of more than 500 expected, the liturgy celebrated by Bishop Robert J. McClory was held at the Bishop Noll Institute fieldhouse next to the church. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)