Many Hands Make Work Easier

 Last year a committee was formed to plan a Fiesta for Our Lady of Guadalupe. From what I have heard, this is something that was done in the past on or near her feast day. I recall attending a couple of large parties with pinatas, but in later years the celebration became a rosary and a procession with roses in the chapel. In the church patio there would be Mexican hot chocolate and sweet rolls called Conchas.  

In 2021, after not having a Fiesta for many years, a committee was formed to celebrate the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe. It was amazing how groups for different activities came together. Food, decoration, flowers, drinks, tickets, music, greeters, servers, set up and clean up were discussed.  What I remember about last year is how the two persons in charge of decorations needed paper flowers and everyone pitched in to help make the flowers. It seemed that hundreds of different colored flowers were made. Even members of my book club pitched in to make the flowers. One decorator had an idea of how the picture of our Lady should be decorated and she came up with an idea of flowers, lights and light blue tulle. Her cohort, plus volunteers, helped put the decorations in place until it became a beautiful centerpiece.

This year, the same committees were needed, but the lady that had guided us last year had retired, leaving the new liturgical leader, who had never planned a Fiesta, to put together the celebration. Luckily, one member from last year had kept notes to remind us of what needed doing, some remembered what had to be done, and the planning began. The note-taker became our "go to" person if we had any questions. 

The lady responsible for fixing the center piece had a death in the family and was unable to fix the arch for Our Lady. Would this be a problem? She left instructions of how it should be done and left poles, flowers, and lights to the note-taker. With the help of the volunteers, they managed to put the frame together. To make sure the tables were set up correctly, a sample table of what would go on the tables was displayed that we could follow so all the tables would be the same. Red tablecloths on the large round tables, a scarf with Our Lady's image, rosaries, and a small vase with two roses were to be put on each table.  The volunteers got the tables together, the men hung up the flowers and wrapped them around posts, I drove to Costco to purchase ten dozen roses, and the pullies for the Pinatas were set up. Many hands working together made the decorating easier than the past year. This year, instead of having the dinner catered, the Knights of Columbus prepared soft tacos and burritos with all the condiments. Salsa and chips were placed on the tables. For dessert a parishioner made 200 Bizcochitos, a cinnamon cookie, and someone donated Mexican rolls called Conchas.  The story of Juan Diego and Our Lady of Guadalupe was told to the children by a deacon, and I noticed that all the adults also listened to the beautiful story.

The music, Las Mananitas, played while the procession of children took flowers to the Blessed Mother. Little San Juan Diego also presented a vase with roses to Our Lady.

I heard many compliments regarding the food, the decorations, the music, the children's carrying roses in procession to Our Lady, and the children trying to hit the pinatas. It seemed, to me, that everyone enjoyed the fiesta. When the stick connected with a pinata, the candy would rain down for the children to gather handfuls of candy! 

Many thanks for those that worked hard, and especially to the "go to" lady who made sure everyone knew what they had to do. The knights prepared delicious tasting food for all to enjoy, the priest gave the opening prayer and the Fiesta for 2022 was a success.  We all believe Our Lady of Guadalupe was happy with her party!

"The little girl was so precious! 

She smiled throughout the procession 

and especially when she put the flowers in the vase. 

She made my heart smile!"

Phyllis Telgenhoff