Originally published at Orange County Catholic
LEADING UP TO CHRISTMAS, many families’ schedules are filled with parties, shopping, wrapping presents and more. But Spanish teacher Elba Singleton decided to make sure Our Lady of Guadalupe was not forgotten in the mix this December.
A PRAYERFUL MOMENT DURING THE ALL-STUDENT MASS FOR OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE. PHOTO BY ALAN WENDELL/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
Her school community wholeheartedly agreed.
“Our culture right now is just going to Christmas, and we forget about Advent,” she said. “We forget to celebrate our mother Mary and to know about her, to know that this happened for real. I wanted to bring the love that I have for Mary to our students.”
St. Cecilia Catholic School in Tustin took Singleton’s idea of remembering the reason for the season, deciding to celebrate on Dec. 12 the Mexican-born tradition of the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe with a schoolwide procession, Mass, traditional costumes and food.
“I hope that most importantly, it deepens their love for Our Lady,” said Principal Mary Alvarado. “It’s important that the children understand these are traditions passed down generation to generation, because people truly love Our Lady.”
Growing up, Singleton said her family always celebrated Our Lady of Guadalupe.
