Cesar Chavez - We need to help students and parents cherish and preserve ethnic and cultural diversity that nourishes and strengthens this community - this nation.
ABOUT OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE
Known in Spanish Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe and the Virgin of Guadalupe by Roman Catholicism is known for her apparition to St. Juan Diego in a vision in 1531. Her image plays an important reverence as a national symbol in Mexico.
Yesterday, December 11th was the Feast of our Lady of Guadalupe. I popped into a Church last night to see what was going on. The musicians were amazing! If you have ever been to San Antonio and listened to Mexican music, that's what it sounded like - upbeat, loud, and joyful! There were three Trumpet players, several Vihuelas, Tambourines, Maracas, Guitarrons, Mandolina, Violin, Huehuetl, Tambora, Quijada, something big that looked like bongos and other instruments I couldn't identify.
When the dancers came out it sounded like a rain stick I purchased about 30 years ago (a long hollow brown tube, approximately 4 feet tall that when you turn it upside down it sounds like rain). Whatever was on the dancers' feet sounded like seashells from the ocean blowing in the wind.
Although I did not recognize the songs the singers sang, their Spanish voices and song choices were very beautiful and uplifting. Inside the church were families with many children - I'm quite certain I was the only person who didn't speak Spanish inside the church celebrating the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. I noticed the fathers were very nurturing towards their children and the devotion to each member of the family was clearly not an act. They all seemed to welcome me to their Feast of our Lady of Guadalupe.
As the program started, little children with their mothers carried flowers to Our Lady at the front of the altar. I was intrigued and then a lady handed me a red carnation. As I looked around, I noticed nobody else was handed carnations, but I quickly observed that I was the elder. So, I got up and placed my flower with the children's. It was quite emotional and unconventional but it left me feeling welcomed, safe, and secure.
As I left the church at the conclusion of the program, darkness hanged from tree branches while stars in the sky brilliantly paved the way to my car. In the dwelling of my soul was peace and light. It wasn't until I began to walk to my car and turned my phone back on that I noticed the time was nearly 10 P.M. Last night was truly a Silent Night a Holy Night ---Patricia Feager
