CLAYMONT — It’s been 25 years since the Hispanic ministry at Holy Rosary began, and what better way to mark the occasion than with a celebration?
The community will gather after the 12:30 p.m. Mass on Sunday, Oct. 4, the parish’s weekly Spanish-language liturgy, for a day of food, refreshments, music and activities for the youngsters. It is open to anyone.
Marcos Rivera, the assistant director of Hispanic ministry at Holy Rosary, said the percentage of Hispanic parishioners has been growing steadily for the past few decades and has found a home in Claymont.
“We’ve been very welcomed,” he said.
Franciscan Sister Nellie Marrero, who directs the ministry at the parish, has been there since 2008. She said her experience has been very positive. She credits the pastor, Father John Gayton.
“Father John, he’s a wonderful pastor. He allows us to be so open with the community,” Sister Nellie said.
She said the first Hispanic parishioners at Holy Rosary were mainly from Mexico, but that has changed. They come from a number of countries now.
“People now, they don’t know that I’m Puerto Rican. They say, ‘Are you Mexican?’ No!” she said with a laugh.
Adan Perez was born in Delaware and grew up at Holy Rosary. He is a documentarian and wants to tell the story of his community. He recalled two deceased priests, Franciscan Father Chris Posch and Augustinian Father Joe Girone, who sought people to become part of the community.
“Today, I wish there was more of that,” he said. “It was their energy, their passion, their charisma that kind of got everybody to work together.”
Perez said the dedication of the two priests was augmented by that of the people they served. The families created a spiritual home through familiar traditions, such as praying the rosary in one another’s homes and celebrating Las Posadas.
“An image of our Blessed Mother was even sent from Mexico to be displayed among the community, bringing a sense of home and familiarity to families seeking a place to practice their faith,” he said.
Perez said his mother, who is from Mexico, was at Holy Rosary a decade before the Hispanic ministry officially began. The government in Mexico failed its people, he said, so they came to the United States in search of a better life.
His mother, Rosa Pineda, said Holy Rosary means so much to members of the community. She knows people who have moved, “but they love this church, and they come back for the Masses.
“This is my second home. I open the doors, close the doors. Turn the lights on, turn the lights off. That means it’s my home.”
Perez said the younger people now have the responsibility to carry the ministry forward.
“We honor those who planted the seeds, those who helped them grow, and the generations now entrusted with carrying this community of faith into the future,” he said.
Rivera, who is from Chile, said the parish will provide the food and refreshments. He expects the celebration to go through the afternoon. For more information, email ministeriohispano@hrparish.com or call (302) 798-2904.
