THE HISPANIC GROWTH
Cultural Aspects… Quinceañeras, Guadalupe Feast, Music, etc.
In September of 2000 Monica López and Lupe Bencomo began having meetings with the church staff, Father Joseph Matt, Susan Ratigan, Kirstie Ruffini, Emma Beaver, and Marguerite Cummings, to see the possibility of starting to have a Mass in Spanish every Sunday. In the first meeting with Father Matt, he asked for Monica and Lupe to find out how many families would be interested in attending Mass in Spanish. Father Matt also asked for two Spanish speaking priests that would be able to celebrate Mass in Spanish in our parish.
A group of volunteers was formed to organize a small survey in the cities of Belton, Raymore, and Martin City. The group was formed by Monica and Pedro López, Lupe Bencomo, Juan and Rita López, Mauro and Tere Hernandez, Rutilo and Martha López, Virginia Monarrez, Catalina Sanchez, Delfina Barragan, and Wendy Mora. They began going door to door where they knew there were Hispanic families. They created a survey with some questions including: “Are you Catholic? Would you like to have a Mass in Spanish in Belton? There is a Catholic Church here, ‘Santa Sabina,’ and the priest is willing to let us have Mass in Spanish. How many members are in your family?” This group obtained the addresses and phone numbers of those wanting a Mass in Spanish in Belton. In about two weeks they had compiled a list with about one hundred families interested in having Mass in Spanish. They also had three priests available and willing to celebrate Mass, Fr. Brendan Helbing, Fr. David Matz and Father José Herrera, who was responsible for the community. All of this happened in October 2000 and the Hispanic community then felt ready to celebrate their first Mass in Spanish on December 12, 2000, which is the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe (one of the most important celebrations for all Hispanic people). Father Joe Matt thought that there was not enough time to organize this and that they should wait and prepare a little longer.
Later on more people joined the group. Wendy Mora made the announcements at the Spanish Radio Station. Angel and Arleen Martinez were interested in working with religious education for children. Irma Carrasco volunteered as a lector, Gerardo Arénivas volunteered to be a lector and Eucharistic Minister. Jorge Valles helped prepare the choir with the youth, having rehearsals two to three times a week.
February 18, 2001, was the first celebration of Mass in Spanish here at St. Sabina. Father José Herrera and Father Joe Matt were the celebrants. At that time only a few people had completed the training for Lectors and Communion Ministers, but Father Matt give them permission to serve.
Currently in 2008 we have approximately 400 Hispanic families. Due to our rich diversity, we celebrate many liturgies bilingually, with readings and music in both languages. Our choirs have worked continuously learning to sing bilingual songs, holding joint rehearsals and singing together at special times of the year. With the addition of our Hispanic community our entire parish has had the opportunity to learn about the Hispanic culture through many celebrations including the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, celebrated each year on December 12th, Cinco de Mayo celebrations, Las Posadas celebrations and Quinceañeras.