Intergenerational event in Denison focuses on Our Lady of Guadalupe

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
December 11, 2003

DENISON - St. Rose of Lima Parish in Denison recently held an intergenerational faith festival that focused on Our Lady of Guadalupe.

According to Lori McCleerey, a member of the Generations of Faith core team that organized the event, the parish opted to take on this new ministry because they saw a need to make things more intergenerational.

"We saw that we were providing religious education for our youngsters but we were not providing much for adults or for families. We saw a big need in our parish for more family-centered learning," she explained.

The core team also viewed Generations of Faith ministry as a means to bring the Hispanic and Anglo parishioners together for events that would combine social and educational aspects.

The event was offered at two times. More than 160 people attended the Wednesday night session and 41 gathered for the Saturday morning session.

"We had mixed views about the attendance in the committee. Some were expecting more, some less. For me personally, any number was God's number," said McCleerey.

The gatherings kicked off with sharing a sack lunch meal with one another, followed by an introduction of the topic, opening song and prayer. Next, a group of youth from the parish presented a skit that told the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

After the skit, they broke into age-specific groups. Children under kindergarten went to childcare where they were able to watch a video and color pictures of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Another group consisted of kindergartners through sixth graders and their parents. They made an Advent wreath and talked about its symbolism. They also colored a picture of Our Lady of Guadalupe with fabric crayon, which was then ironed onto a banner.

Teenagers and young adults (college-age) formed another group. Through an Oxfam-type meal, students had a lesson in justice and oppression as some were given many beans in which to they could purchase food and privileges and others received little.

"Afterwards they had discussion about how this felt and were asked if they noticed who shared," said McCleerey.

The adult group listened to a presentation by Adrian and Martha Paz, Hispanic parishioners who have a deep devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe. Adrian Paz gave a detailed explanation as to what everything means in the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Small group discussion followed.

After the hour-and-one-half catechetical sessions, the larger group came back together. They briefly discussed their activities, blessed the Advent wreaths there were made in the family activities and had a closing prayer and song. Participants received a home kit in order to continue studying the topic. The kits also included an invitation to participate in special Our Lady of Guadalupe activities planned in the parish for Dec. 13 and 14.

Rob Claypool attended the intergenerational event with his wife and three children.

"We were all impressed with it," he commented. "Our older two - our high school and junior high student - were not sure what to expect, but on the way home they were very enthusiastic. They were genuinely upbeat about it."

Claypool noted that he was vaguely familiar with the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe, but the event certainly helped to expand his knowledge on the topic.

"I don't think we are ever to old to stop learning," he stressed. "I think this is a great deal not only for our church but for all parishes. I think it should be the role of all Catholics to try to increase their faith by any means possible."

He said that they were so impressed by this event and looking forward to the future offerings that the Claypools have volunteered to help with the next faith festival.

Evelyn Duncan, a 65-year-old retiree, attended the gathering.

"I absolutely loved it," she said. "I loved Renew so much when we had it and we haven't had much since. I thought this was an opportunity to do something in the parish. It was nice to see people in a setting where you could talk to them other than just walking in and out of church."

For a first-time event, Duncan thought found it to be well planned.

"Learning should not stop," she said. "Unless we have something like this, we have no way of learning other than Father's homily. How else are we going to learn and be able to discuss it? You can read your Bible and that is terrific, but I really loved the discussion part of it."

Adrian Paz described it as very successful and found it to be an avenue to stir new interest in Our Lady of Guadalupe. In order to prepare for his presentation, he had purchased several books. When the event had concluded, several parishioners purchased the books because they wanted to know even more.

It also generated interest in the novena to Our Lady that began on Dec. 3 and is recited at 6 p.m. daily. Many of the Anglo people are praying the novena at home.

He pointed out that while some Hispanics attended the gathering, many were unable to due to work schedules. With this in mind, some smaller-scale presentations will be made during the Our Lady of Guadalupe festivities on Dec. 13 and 14. The celebration will conclude following 6 p.m. Mass on Dec.14 with a potluck. Mexican-Indian dancers will be featured.

In addition, at midnight on the actual Feast of Our Guadalupe Dec. 12 they will conclude the novena, have music and Mass.

Members of the core group were pleased with the mix of ages that attended the intergenerational gathering - from young families to elderly.

"The evaluations definitely showed there is a need in our parish for this and they want to continue it," said McCleerey. "I think this helps accommodate the needs that are out there to bring education back to more of a family-centered style and intergenerational effort to make sure there is a lifetime of education."

Two other faith festivals are already planned - one in February to focus on Lent and one in the spring to center on Pentecost.