Guadalupe celebration first for Chantilly Latinos

By Alfonso Aguilar
Arlington Catholic Herald
December 13, 2007

Photo: Fr. José Hoyos, director for the diocesan Spanish Apostolate Office, greets Arnulfo Rodriguez, dressed as St. Juan Diego during a Mass for the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe at St. Timothy Church in Chantilly.

Beyond expectations, over 400 people attended the first Spanish Mass at St. Timothy Parish in Chantilly last Sunday.

The Mass honored the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, usually celebrated the Sunday prior to Dec. 12, which is her official feast day.

“Today we are making history. This is the first time we gather in this parish to celebrate a Mass in our language, and what a day: the day of the Queen of the Americas,” said Father José Hoyos, director of the diocesan Spanish Apostolate Office.

“Every year there are more and more parishes with Spanish because there is outside a great need to serve our community, and most of these parishes celebrate a Guadalupe Mass yearly,” he said. Father Hoyos then asked the congregation: “Raise your hands those who live nearby.”
At least 50 percent raised their hands and everybody applauded.

Others parishioners like Amalia Silva from St. Joseph Parish in Herndon attended the Mass to support a permanent Mass in Spanish at St. Timothy.

“We fought for many years to have a Spanish Mass, we knew it is a long and complex process. We called on our experience to help to expedite a Mass for the Latino Chantilly community,” said Silva.

Martha Villalba from St. Leo the Great Parish in Fairfax also came to support Latino parishioners. “I was surprised to see many people. The Mass was beautiful, but now I will go back to my parish,” said Villalba.

Some parishioners residing in Chantilly and nearby neighbors said they usually attend Masses at All Saints Parish in Manassas or at Christ the Redeemer in Sterling because they are the nearest with Spanish services.

“But if now we may have a Mass at St. Timothy,” said Ventura Alvarado from All Saints Parish, “we are beginning to grow in St. Timothy, which is very nice.”

The date for the start of a permanent Mass has not been set yet.

“It is encouraging that we are making history,” said Manolo Hernández, one of the young coordinators. “God willing our pastor will see the light.”

Father Hoyos also made history for it was his first time presiding over a Mass at St. Timothy. “It is my first but I hope to come again soon,” he said.

Last Sunday many other diocesan parishes celebrated Masses for the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and several more had special services Wednesday. Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde presided over the Mass at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington. The event included a reception with food and mariachi music.