15 July 2007
re: Día de San Antonio 2007
17/07/07 15:58
The Feast Day for St. Anthony of Padua (El Día de San
Antonio) this year was well attended. As many as
twenty five states were represented by this year's
attendees. Many people came who had not been to Los
Sauces for many years, and some who had never been to
the village before. The church had standing room
only, and people even spilled out the back. The choir
loft was so crowded I was truly concerned that it
might collapse. It did not.
This year's celebration was so well attended due to the fact that the new church doors and memorial plaques were being dedicated. Funds were acquired for the replacement of the doors by contributions made in memory of former deceased residents of the village of Los Sauces. The names are engraved on metal plates, which are placed on the memorial plaques on the rear south wall of the church. I got a warm feeling seeing my mother's name on the wall of the church she so cherished. I am sure other donors felt the same way seeing their loved ones' names on the memorial plaques.
A potluck meal with plenty of food was enjoyed inside the church after the Mass. It was a time for renewing acquaintances and also making new ones. The weather cooperated beautifully, and so did the mosquitos! They were not much of a problem as they can be.
The day in Los Sauces was followed in the evening with a banquet in Alamosa and the presentation of the Pioneer Awards. These were presented to those in attendance who were 85 years and older and had lived in Los Sauces at one time. Manuel Salazar also gave a very informative historical presentation, which provided much background information about the village and its early settlers.
The weekend was a most memorable one.
This year's celebration was so well attended due to the fact that the new church doors and memorial plaques were being dedicated. Funds were acquired for the replacement of the doors by contributions made in memory of former deceased residents of the village of Los Sauces. The names are engraved on metal plates, which are placed on the memorial plaques on the rear south wall of the church. I got a warm feeling seeing my mother's name on the wall of the church she so cherished. I am sure other donors felt the same way seeing their loved ones' names on the memorial plaques.
A potluck meal with plenty of food was enjoyed inside the church after the Mass. It was a time for renewing acquaintances and also making new ones. The weather cooperated beautifully, and so did the mosquitos! They were not much of a problem as they can be.
The day in Los Sauces was followed in the evening with a banquet in Alamosa and the presentation of the Pioneer Awards. These were presented to those in attendance who were 85 years and older and had lived in Los Sauces at one time. Manuel Salazar also gave a very informative historical presentation, which provided much background information about the village and its early settlers.
The weekend was a most memorable one.