OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE: Parishes hold celebrations in honor of Our Lady

By KATIE LEFEBVRE, Globe staff reporter
Dec. 14, 2006

Many parishes and schools throughout the Diocese of Sioux City celebrated the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe on or before the feast day of Dec. 12.

Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City held mananitas at 5 a.m. on Dec. 10 followed by Mass at 6 a.m. Father Matthew Hewitt and Father Paul-Louis Arts concelebrated the Mass. Bishop R. Walker Nickless was in attendance.

At the beginning of Mass, Bishop Nickless made a few comments in English to those gathered. Father Hewitt then reiterated the comments in Spanish.

"Today it is my privilege as bishop to be with you on this most holy remembrance of the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe," said the bishop. "It is my opportunity to say thank you for the witness of your faith in our diocese. Your presence in our diocese makes us richer. I thank you for that. I ask your forgiveness that I am not being able to share my remarks in Spanish."

He added that he does not know much Spanish. He knows some Italian, but the two do not match very well.

"I am grateful for Father Matthew Hewitt and his service to you," said Bishop Nickless. "He loves you, he cares for you and he is a great pastor for you. Yesterday we celebrated the feast of St. Juan Diego. This humble man was a man of faith and trust in the Lord. His devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe enabled him to become a saint. My prayer for you and all of us in the Diocese of Sioux City is that we be like St. Juan Diego - humble, faithful, servant of God."

The bishop mentioned that Our Lady of Guadalupe is the patroness of the Diocese of Sioux City.

"May she lead us to her son," said Bishop Nickless.

After Mass, a play depicting the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe appearing to Juan Diego was held in the Epiphany Center across the street from the Cathedral. Parishioners portrayed the people in the play.

Following the play, Bishop Nickless and Father Hewitt blessed a statue and picture of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

The celebration at St. Rose of Lima Parish in Denison began at 5 a.m. with mananitas on Dec. 10. Mass was held at 6 a.m.

Father Paul Kelly, pastor at St. Rose of Lima, noted that there was a church full of people gathered for the Mass.

"They were very enthusiastic, as usual," said Father Kelly. "The hour of the mananitas went without a hitch. There was very animated singing. We also had the dancing and prayerful reflections intermixed."

Following Mass there were several activities held in the school including a play, a rosary and more dancing. The event concluded with a meal. Father Kelly pointed out that people were pleased with the event.

"It (Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe) is such a part of the Hispanic identity," said Father Kelly. "It is part of who they are as Catholics. It is part of the reason they became Catholic. It has stuck with them for all these years. Of all the places she could have appeared, she appeared in Mexico."

At St. Mary Parish in Hawarden, a Mass and celebration was held on Dec. 10. Father LeRoy Seuntjens, pastor, commented that the church was full for the Mass and noted "a big part of the Mexican community and fair number of Anglos were there."

"It went wonderful. It was the best celebration ever," said Father Seuntjens.

Dancers from Sioux Center and Rock Valley brought the icon of Our Lady of Guadalupe from the last house where the rosary was held to the church. The dancers brought the icon into the church.

"We had the Mass with tremendous music," said Father Seuntjens. "Then we had the Mexican food at a fiesta afterwards."

Father Seuntjens pointed out that the history of the feast is important - what Our Lady did for the people of Mexico and the Native Americans.

"She converted the Native Americans and stopped the killing of the unborn," said the priest.

On the feast day, Dec. 12, the final rosary was held. The shrine of Mary in the church was decorated. A local mariachi band put on a concert of mananitas in honor of Our Lady.

The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe was the focus of an Advent prayer service held Dec. 11 at Sacred Heart School in Sioux City. The service, held in Sacred Heart Church, included a skit that portrayed the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe appearing to Juan Diego. Another highlight of the service was Hispanic dancers, clothed in bright colored costumes. They danced to the beat of a drum.

The students learned the significance of Mary saying yes to the Lord and they were asked a variety of questions in which they responded, "Yes, Lord." Another central message to the service was the importance of being a light for other people. The students sang This Little Light of Mine.

Masses and celebrations were also held at Sacred Heart Church in Alvord, St. Patrick Church in Estherville, Sacred Heart Church in Fort Dodge, St. Mary Church in Rock Valley, Christ the King Church in Sioux Center, St. Patrick Church in Sheldon, Sacred Heart Church in Spencer and St. Mary Church in Storm Lake.