Cristo Rey Catholic Church and Cristo Rey Community Center will celebrate Our Lady of Guadalupe at 6:00 am on Tuesday, December 12, 2006.  Father Fred L. Thelen stated, “Our Lady of Guadalupe is a uniting force in the Hispanic Community, as well as in the faith community at large. In ‘The Church in America’ in 1999, Pope John Paul II reminded us that the Virgin of Guadalupe is venerated as the Patroness and Queen of all America.”

Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared to Juan Diego in 1531 at Tepeyac, Mexico.  Our Lady of Guadalupe told Juan Diego that she wanted a Temple built on the very spot they were standing.  That Temple is now the Basilica de Guadalupe in Mexico City.  It is visited annually by millions of people who make pilgrimage to the Tepeyac Shrine.  The Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe is one of the most important religious holidays in Mexico, perhaps even more significant than Christmas.  Only Saint Peters Basilica in Rome receives more visitors annually than the Basilica de Guadalupe.

Schedule of December 12, 2006

6:00 – 7:00 am.  Las Mananitas – starting with a procession and presentation of flowers to Our Lady of Guadalupe, and continuing with prayer and songs, including Las Mananitas.  Mexican breakfast following.

7:00 pm in the evening.  A dance presentation by “Los Concheros de Cristo Rey Church” followed by a Fiesta Mass, which will, includes a live presentation of the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe.  A Reception/meal with an additional dance presentation will conclude the evening. 

Schedule of December 11, 2006

7:00 - 8:00 pm.  “Novena” with prayer and reflection on the theme of

“Flor Y Canto” (Flower and Song), which contain important symbolism in the

story of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

8:00 – 10:00 pm.  “Serenata” to Our Lady of Guadalupe, in the style of

Mexico City, with a Marachi, Band from Detroit.

John Roy Castillo, Executive Director of the Cristo Rey Community Center stated, “ If an individual needs a ride to and from the center and the church on December 12 they should call 372-4700 and arrangements can be made.  We will leave from the Center at 5:30 am sharp.”  Cristo Rey Church is located at 201 W. Miller Road and Cristo Rey Community Center is located at 1717 N. High Street.