WWW.THEFLORIDACATHOLIC.ORG | Dec. 21, 2018-Jan. 10, 2019 | Volume 80, Number 4 ‘The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.’ — John 1:9 WWW.THEFLORIDACATHOLIC.ORG | Dec. 21, 2018 - Jan. 10, 2019 FLORIDACatholic ORLANDO DIOCESE uring the Christmas season, let us each be the one who extends the favor of the Christ child to another. If we all were to do this, love one another as I have loved you, that stable of Christmas night would burst into a mansion of the heart that no one can deny. Dec. 21, 2018 - Jan. 10, 2019 Florida Catholic YOUR ORLANDO COMMUNITY 2 Left, Ulysses, a young Centro Guadalupano parishioner, comes forward with his family to bring the offertory during the Mass celebrating Our Lady of Guadalupe in Wahneta. Above, Chinelos or costumed dancers, move to the rhythm of the brincón or jump, to honor Our Lady of Guadalupe. Costumes are decorated with indigenous tribal images harking back to their heritage. The main dancer wears a robe depicting Christ, noting their conversion, and others display Our Lady of Guadalupe, who appeared on Tepeyac Hill (now a suburb of Mexico City) where the dance originated. (PHOTOS BY GLENDA MEEKINS | FC) Our Lady of Guadalupe honored, rain or shine GLENDA MEEKINS to celebrate it on a Sunday,” ex- little town has their own church,” been a part of Centro Guadalupano Comparza Guadalupana, from of the Florida Catholic staff plained Esteban Verdugo Roblero, he said. “That’s how it began, with for 35 years and has his own reason Bradenton, dancing the Danza de coordinator of the event and Grand a few humble country people. This for his devotion. Born in Mexico los Chinelos. Originally from Mo- WAHNETA | It was pouring rain Knight of Council San Juan Diego was just a field of grass. We cleaned City, the location of Tepeyac Hill relos, Mexico, (near Mexico City) and still more than 1,000 mission- 14975. The council was named after it up and slowly began building. where the Virgin appeared to Juan the group made up of children and ers from Centro Guadalupano Mis- the modest local to whom the Vir- With God’s help, we can do what- Diego, the parishioner says the Vir- adults hopped to the “brincón” or sion in Wahneta, packed into the gin appeared in 1531, asking that a ever we set our minds to.” gin has a special place in his heart. jump step as a tribute to Our Lady small church. Bishop John Noonan church be built for her to lead many Lector, Maria Guadalupe Alva- “My wife was very sick with cancer,” of Guadalupe. Their colorful gowns celebrated Mass alongside pastor to her Son and so she could console rez, was named after the cherished he explained. “We prayed fervently adorned with sequined and painted Father Luis Osorio. Parishioners the many natives suffering at the patroness. Her mother had a great to Our Lady of Guadalupe and now, illustrations of Our Lady appearing filed in while shedding raincoats, hands of Spanish soldiers. Origi- devotion to the Virgin of Guada- it has been two years that she is can- to San Juan Diego on Tepeyac Hill many revealing colorful clothing nally from Chiapas, Mexico, Ver- lupe and to the rosary. Recently re- cer-free.” He raised his daughters (now Mexico City) shimmered as from their native countries. The dugo Roblero remembers similar turning from visiting her mother in and son with the same devotion. they moved. The central character community assembled on Dec. 9, celebrations in his homeland. He Mexico, the two shared excitement As a group of Young American wore a long robe with images of three days prior to Our Lady of Gua- added, “As Mexicans, we are proud regarding the upcoming feast. “It Dreamers processed in the rain to Christ. The dance reflected their dalupe’s feast day, to honor their pa- to be Guadalupanos.” is a great honor for me (to read) as I bring the statue of the Virgin just great joy. troness and show her love. Tony Alvarado arrived in Polk am named after Our Lady,” said Al- outside the church, singing could “I am very proud that we are Although most parishioners are County before the mission opened varez. “She is my Most Holy Mother. be heard inside, welcoming them. humble people who continue to Mexican, there were Nicaraguans, in Wahneta with the help of St. Jo- She has helped me so much in my Following the celebration of Mass, come and honor Our Lady,” said Colombians and many others who seph Parish in Winter Haven. Now marriage, in my family, and be- the cheerful crowd proceeded to Alvarado, a founding member. celebrated Mass in recognition of more than 2,000 people gather at cause I am an immigrant, she is my the nearby hall for traditional foods “She is mother of God, Mary, and is Our Lady’s feast day, officially Dec. the mission named after Our Lady protectress,” she said tearfully. like flautas, tamales, and tacos— the same, whether in Puerto Rico, 12. “Here we are almost all migrant of Guadalupe, patron saint of the Oscar Chavez, District Deputy homemade by volunteers. Cuba or wherever. She is Mary, our laborers. That is why we chose Americas. “In my country each for the Knights of Columbus, has Mexican dances ensued with Mother.” n Santa visits with chil- Knights of Columbus bring gifts, dren of refu- gee families Santa to refugee children thanks to Catholic STAFF REPORT called out. Charities This is the seventh year the of Central ORLANDO | Christmas came Knights hosted breakfast with San- Florida’s early for 105 refugee children ta, and the first year it participated Compre- thanks to Catholic Charities of in Coats for Kids. The council do- hensive Central Florida’s Comprehensive nated 48 lightweight coats for the Refugee Services and Refugee Services and Knights of youth, while Pegasus Transporta- the Knights Columbus Msgr. Bishop Council tion, Inc. donated 69 gifts. Other of Columbus 2112 in Orlando. gifts were donated by a Bible study Msgr. Bishop Most of the children and their group from Most Precious Blood Council families are from places like Cuba, Parish in Oviedo. 2112. Haiti, the Democratic Republic “It’s just a part of being Catho- (ANDREA of Congo and this was their first lic. I love the kids. I just think of NAVARRO Christmas in the United States. them shivering and I want them to | FC) Amidst the sounds of Christmas be comfortable. It’s a lot of fun for songs and sing-alongs, the Knights us to do this and we hope it keeps served a meal, then each child growing,” said Former Grand awaited eagerly to hear their name Knight Ron Abate. n 3 YOUR ORLANDO COMMUNITY Florida Catholic Dec. 21, 2018 - Jan. 10, 2019 ‘or a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. ‘F They name him wonder-counselor, God-hero, Father-forever, Prince of Peace.’— Isaiah 9:5 FLORIDA Christmas: A three-week season, Catholic DIOCESE OF ORLANDO not just one day of the year Vol. 80, No. 4 50 East Robinson St. My Sisters and Brothers in Christ: bration of Christmas is relegated earth ripened by our love of God cial difficulty or death of a family P.O. Box 1800 How great our joy. Today the to Dec. 24 and 25. After Dec. 25, and bear its fragrant fruit across member. Pope Francis said while Orlando, FL 32802-1800 407-246-4800 Fax 407-246-4942 child whom we seek, the deliv- the secular world begins it mar- the land. it is normal to be afraid of the un- erer of mankind, is born. This keting of sales and Christmas Choose to see how God wants known, we can’t let this direct how PUBLISHER divine gift does not come to us in decorations are taken down and to love you through this Christmas we respond to newcomers in our Bishop John Noonan wrappings of the secular world. fade away, making room for more season and how you accept this love midst, who should be treated with The glitter on the gift is parties and glitter; not and offer it seven-fold. respect and generosity. “Having DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS a star of the heavens; the for the celebration of the Welcome the stranger. We hear doubts and fears is not a sin, the Jennifer Drow [email protected] paper in which the gift Christ-child, but for the this often and we are confused by it. Holy Father explains. “The sin is to is adorned is of human beginning of a new year. Throughout our salvation history, allow these fears to determine our WRITER/PHOTOGRAPHER flesh; the gift is offered For us, as Catholics, the many of God’s holy people – proph- responses, to limit our choices, to Glenda Meekins through the womb of the Christmas season be- ets, soldiers, servants and kings – compromise respect and generos- [email protected] earth, our Blessed Moth- gins on the vigil of Dec. were strangers. Jesus was a stranger ity, to feed hostility and rejection,” 407-246-4808 er. This gift to us, Prince 24 and ends Jan. 13, the on the night of his birth, born in a he continued. “The sin is to refuse To submit a request for news coverage of Peace, is not bestowed Bishop Baptism of the Lord – town not his own. What will your to encounter the other, to encoun- in the Diocese of Orlando, email news@ upon a mansion, but laid three full weeks of the offering be for this stranger? Might ter the different, to encounter the orlandodiocese.org.