DIOCESAN NEWS
12/08/06
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Celebrations honor Our Lady of Guadalupe
By Elsa Baughman
   JACKSON — Many Hispanic Catholics consider the observance of Our Lady of Guadalupe’s feast day, Dec. 12, as the most important celebration of the year.
   In the last decade, celebrations in the Diocese of Jackson have been commemorated in different parishes and missions with processions, mañanitas (early morning songs), rosaries, skits about the appearance of Mary to the Indian Juan Diego, dances, Masses and social activities.
   This year, the 475th anniversary of the apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe to the Indian Juan Diego in Tepeyac, Mexico, falls on Tuesday, Dec. 12. She was declared Patroness of the Americas in 1945 by Pope Pius XII.
   Celebrations in the diocese will be held at the following parishes, missions:
Canton, Sacred Heart, Sunday, Dec. 10, a procession of people, dancers, and children dressed as Juan Diego will leave from trailer park #1 on Fulton Street at 12:30 p.m. and head to Sacred Heart Church where Mass will be celebrated. A reception will follow.
   Carthage St. Anne, Sunday, Dec. 10, there will be a procession before the 11 a.m. Mass followed by refreshments.
   Forest St. Michael, Sunday, Dec. 10, at 11 a.m. a procession will move from the Scott County Court House to the church. Mass will be celebrated in the church yard at noon. On Tuesday, Dec. 12, Mass will be celebrated at 7 p.m.
   Greenwood St. Francis of Assisi, Sunday, Dec. 10, a procession to the church will begin at 11 a.m. at Highway 430 and Elzy Ave. There will be a festival of Mexican food afterwards followed by Mass at 1:30 p.m. On Tuesday, Dec. 12, Mass will be celebrated at 7 p.m.
   Houston Immaculate Heart of Mary, Tuesday, Dec. 12, at 6:30 p.m. a candlelight procession will begin at the church and end at the new parish center, followed by Mass and a reception.
   Jackson area, at Pearl St. Jude, Sunday, Dec. 10, at 8 a.m. a presentation about the apparition of Mary will be held.
   At 9:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 10, a procession carrying the Antorcha Guadalupana (relay torch) will travel from Highway 80 to St. Peter Cathedral.
At St. Peter Cathedral, the procession will continue at 12:30 p.m. around Smith Park.
   Mass will be celebrated at 2 p.m. followed by a reception at St. Mary Church. Contact: 601-949-6931.
   In addition, at 9:30 a.m. there will be a soccer game at St. Mary Church.
Meridian, Sunday, Dec. 10, at 2 p.m. a car procession will leave the St. Joseph Church parking lot for St. Patrick Church.
   Mass will be celebrated at 3 p.m. at St. Patrick followed by a multicultural potluck supper, music, fellowship for all and piñatas for the children in the Family Life Center.
   Ripley St. Matthew Mission, Tuesday, Dec. 12, Mass will be celebrated at 6:30 p.m.
   Southaven Christ the King, Tuesday, Dec. 12, mañanitas at 5:30 a.m., regular Mass at 9 a.m. in English and at 7 p.m. in Spanish followed by a dinner.
   Tupelo St. James, Sunday, Dec. 10, mañanitas with a mariachis and rosary will be held at 5 a.m. followed by a youth presentation about the apparition of Mary and a light breakfast. At 11:45 a.m. songs (serenata) for the parish community followed by dances. Procession at 2:15 p.m. followed by Mass and a reception.
   Contact: Elquin González, 662-346-6607.
Vicksburg St. Michael, procession and rosary at 1 p.m. Mass at 2 p.m. followed by a reception.

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