Guadalupe Parish culminates las posadas with a big celebration

Intermountain Catholic

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Live entertainment with Advent and Christmas themes was part of the posadas at the Complex.  IC photo/Laura Vallejo

SALT LAKE CITY — Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish closed the novena of las posadas for the 2012 holiday season in a big way, with 500 parishioners gathered at the Complex, an entertainment venue in Salt Lake City. They arrived from different parishes of the Diocese of Salt Lake City.

The most Rev. John C. Wester, Bishop of Salt Lake City; Father Eleazar Silva, parochial vicar of the Cathedral of the Madeleine; Father Omar Ontiveros, pastor of Saints Peter and Paul Parish in West Valley City; and Father Oscar Martinez, pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Salt Lake City, were among the guests.

Bishop Wester welcomed everyone, saying that he was proud and impressed to see how many people gathered for the celebration.

"I welcome everyone and congratulate all of you for what you do," said Bishop Wester.

The evening began with different musical presentations in which songs such as ‘Aleluya’ were interpreted.

A group of little girls presented several Christmas songs with choreography and were the delight of all present, as well as the proud parents who were recording video and taking pictures.

"I am so proud of my little one," said Fernando Velasco, Our Lady of Guadalupe parishioner. "She was very excited and practiced at home, and now to see her there – it is just a heart-warming experience."

A representation of how Mary and Joseph asked for shelter was presented with live animals. The three wise kings also arrived on a camel and horses, which delighted the children and many of the adults.

The event even featured a realistic infant Jesus – a baby boy who was barely three weeks old.

Fr. Ontiveros was in charge of giving away medals and rosaries to the attendees as well as narrating one of his personal stories about Christmas and Advent.

"We are preparing to welcome our Lord, and the way of doing it is with a lot of joy, patience and preparation," Fr. Ontiveros said.

Sofia Palestino, a member of the Hispanic Council and Our Lady of Guadalupe parishioner, was in charge of the organization of the event; she presented different music bands that donated the funds to buy toys for all the kids that were there that night.

Sweet bread, chocolate, candies and toys were distributed to all the people.

"I can’t believe they are giving my kids toys," said Marina Guzman, another Our Lady of Guadalupe parishioner. "If it was not because of this, they might have no gifts this season, because I either get them warm clothes or toys."

Fr. Ontiveros also thanked all the people for their participation as well as attending the event and wished them a happy and peaceful holiday season.