ST JOHN – This December, many parishes throughout the Diocese of Gary are celebrating the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Recitation of the Rosary, Mass, music and lively performances have all been part of the tradition to honor La Virgen de Guadalupe.
St. John the Evangelist marked the feast day, and the miracle that started it all, during a morning service on Dec. 6, just ahead of the actual Dec. 12 feast date.
Margo Khalil of Dyer arrived at St. John church, describing herself as a very strong believer in Jesus and his mother. When asked what the Blessed Virgin Mary means to her, she simply gave a warm smile and, putting her hand over her heart, answered, “a lot.”
“I learned I feel a sense of peace in a way when I pray to her,” she said. “I just find a lot of peace in doing that.”
Khalil was one of the members of the diocesan community who watched a group of Aztec dancers perform in the narthex of the church before the start of Mass. Attendees gathered in a circle watching the female members of the Azteca Basiles Folklorcos de Xel-Ha Escuela de Danza dance in colorful costumes.
The dance studio, located in East Chicago, has been participating in the church’s celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe for more than 10 years. In fact, a second generation of dancers is now stepping forward to participate. Debra Bolaños, the students’ leader and educator, shared that the current generation of dancers has added to the festivities at the St. John parish for the past four years.
“It's something we look forward to, because it's also a special celebration for our heritage,” Bolaños said. “The girls are all connected with the feast day and know the story. They also like the whole idea of Aztec culture with all the feathers and costumes and the history that comes with that, so they get excited to perform.”
Bolaños added that coming to St. John the Evangelist is “like a home for us,” as most of the girls are from East Chicago or the South Chicago area.
Once the performance ended and the attendees found their way into the church, Dr. Claudia Sadowski, coordinator of intercultural ministry for the diocese, took to the ambo to share a few opening remarks.
“I would like to welcome each and every one of you,” she said. “We are grateful for your presence today, and for the gift of coming together as one body of Christ.”
Sadowski provided a few brief reflections on the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe that would be re-enacted in the church just minutes later.
“In 1531, on Tepeyac Hill in Mexico, Our Lady of Guadlupe appeared to St. Juan Diego, a humble an indigenous man. Speaking to him in his native language, she revealed God's closeness to the poor, the wounded and the forgotten,” she said. “She presented herself as a loving model, calling all her children to unity, dignity and hope in her son Jesus Christ. From the miracles encountered was born a faith that unites cultures, people and generations.”
Sadowski continued, “Our Lady of Guadalupe reminds us that we belong to one another and that in Christ there are no strangers, only family. Today, as we gather, may her message renew our hearts to walk together, to honor every culture, and to live as one body, one church and one people in Christ.”
The message delivered by presider Father Ed Shea, O.F.M., during the liturgy was one focused on staying connected to God. He reminded the faithful that God is present wherever people are gathered in His name.
“Many times we feel so connected to God and then all of a sudden, we don’t know why, but we are not. It’s the human condition,” acknowledged the priest who spoke in both English and Spanish.
Father Shea asked the congregation to listen to the readings and notice the theme of encountering within them. The first reading shared the story of Juan Diego, in the second reading, St. Paul discussed how people should encounter God, and the Gospel told of the encounter between Mary and her cousin Elizabeth in the spirit of the Visitation.
“We have a God that wants to encounter us,” he said. “The keyword for the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is an encounter – encuentro.”
Following Mass, all were invited to participate in fellowship in the narthex, hosted by the Ave Maria Hispanic Ministry of SJE, along with additional performances by Mariachi Oro Y Plata and Azteca Basiles Folklóricos de Xel-Ha Escuela de Danza.
Our Lady of Guadalupe celebrations around the diocese
– Dec. 11, 3:45 p.m., The Shrine of Christ's Passion, St. John
– Dec. 11, 5 p.m., St. Edward, Lowell
– Dec. 11, 5 p.m., St. Patrick, East Chicago
– Dec. 11, 9 p.m. & Dec. 12, 5 p.m., Holy Family, St. Joseph, LaPorte
– Dec. 12, 6 p.m., St. Paul, Valparaiso (Mananitas: Dec. 11, 10 p.m. & Dec. 12, 12 a.m.)
– Dec. 12, 6:30 p.m., St. Michael, Schererville
– Dec. 12, 6 p.m., St. John Bosco, Hammond
