Tres . . . Dos . . . Uno . . .
The countdown to the fiesta has begun! Join us for the Holy Family Fiesta Fair this weekend, Saturday, October 11, 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Sunday, October 12, 10:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Call your amigos y amigas and grab your sombrero. There will be fun for all ages!

Attractions & Games Galore!
There are more than 30 games and attractions - enough to keep you and your kids busy the whole weekend. Here's a sample of what you will find: Euro Bungee, Rock N' Roll Tea Cups, Giant Slide, Paint Ball, Lollipop Spin, Quarterback Blitz, Leap Frog, Toddler Town, Confetti Eggs, Ceramics, and the Cake Walk & Book Walk.

Live . . . from the Holy Family Fiesta Main Stage!
There will be tons of live music and entertainment all weekend long: mariachis, trios, salsa, and classic rock music, Folklórico Dancers, and children's entertainers.

Bingo!
Be sure to check out the bingo action in the Parish Hall. It's fun, it's air-conditioned and you just might win some great prizes like a 46" LCD HDTV used at the Fair! Monsignor Connolly will be calling the last bingo on Saturday (8:00 p.m.) and Sunday (6:00 p.m.) when the TVs will be given away.

Tasty Food and Drink!
All this fun is guaranteed to help you build up an appetite (and a thirst - no doubt)! You'll find lots of tasty treats at our food booths: Mexican, Italian sausages, pizza, hamburgers & hotdogs, corn on the cob, ice cream, cotton candy, cold drinks and desserts at the Sweet Shack. The Gathering Area will be transformed into a Cantina where you can enjoy margaritas, wine and a variety of beers from around the world. We'll have Fuss ball tables and two flat screen TVs for the football fans.

Raffle Tickets!
Don't forget to turn in your raffle tickets for a chance to win some BIG cash prizes: $5,000, $1,000, $500 and 15 prizes for $100 each. The raffle drawing will be held on Sunday, October 12, at 7:00 p.m. at the closing of the Fair. Good Luck!

Interested in Volunteering?
It's not too late! We still need more volunteers to work in various game booths on Saturday and Sunday. If you can come by and help for a couple of hours that would be great!

Questions about the Fair? Want to get a T-shirt?
Stop by the Volunteer Check-in booth (next to the ticket sales) if you have any questions throughout the weekend. The Fair chairs or co-chairs will be there to answer questions and help direct you if you want to volunteer at the last minute. We'll also be selling Holy Family Fiesta t-shirts and caps.

If you have any questions or would like to volunteer, please contact the Fair Chairs, Barbara & Paul Wagner, 626-396-0980 or pbae@sbcglobal.net; Biviana & Juan Jimenez, 626-454-0411 or biviana7@yahoo.com; Devara & David Mathias, 626-844-0441 or devara_mathias@yahoo.com.

 

 

Authors, Artists Contribute to Variety at our Vibrant Bookstore
Our Holy Family Bookstore has become a place where authors and artists come to share their stories, stunning artwork and spirituality. Over the past few months, the bookstore has hosted a half dozen events, offering visitors a variety that ranges from quilts made by the women of Tutwiler, Mississippi, to a new book on the power of the Virgin of Guadalupe to inspire movements.

Up next on the bookstore calendar is a visit by author Heather King, set for Sunday, October 19. Her remarkable book, "Redeemed," is a truly honest - and tremendously humorous - account of the journey toward conversion for this "All Things Considered" commentator.

In The Tidings, Heather says that "only a God of inexhaustible love, infinite creativity and a burning desire to count every last one of us 'in' could have taken a broken-down wreck like me and made something useful of her."

On Sunday, October 26, the bookstore will welcome master woodcarver Jesus Calvo Sosa, who will show and sell his whimsical woodcarvings. He carves using the inspiration of his native Oaxaca, Mexico, and creates imaginative figures.

The special events reflect the bookstore's commitment to reach out to our parish and community beyond, as well as to connect to other Holy Family ministries, says manager Anne McGann Yee. "People come in looking for ways to grow in their knowledge and spirituality."

The bookstore's intimate setting offers an inviting opportunity to sit and share a few words with the artists and authors. Visitors had time to chat with Sister Therese Denham, C.S.J., as she shared the meaning of her mandala art in September.

Or, they talked with David Sanchez, Ph.D., about his exciting new book, "From Patmos to the Barrio." If you missed this special signing, you still can purchase a copy personalized for you by David, a Holy Family parishioner and Bible Study lecturer. Just give Anne a call.

With summer over, the bookstore is back to its regular hours. On Sundays, it is open from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.; Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday hours are 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The store offers extended hours on Wednesday, staying open until 7:00 p.m. It is closed on Mondays. More about the Holy Family Bookstore can be found on our website. Anne and staff members Alston, Kathy and Becca can be reached at 626-403-6133.

Hurricanes Hit Close to Our Hearts
While they were far in distance, last month's hurricanes hit close to our hearts. Our friends at Hands Together in Haiti were affected tremendously. Even as they tended to those in great need, Father Tom Hagan and Doug Campbell took time to give Karl Holtsnider and Jessica Korzenecki, Mission Haiti volunteers, an update and noted how much "it saddened us to witness the destruction . . ."

After Jessica's short introduction, she shares Fr. Tom and Doug's report with us and asks us to "keep the people of Haiti in your prayers." We begin the article here and continue it on our website. She begins:

While the Caribbean hurricanes have subsided, the devastation in Haiti is widespread and recovery is slow, painful and expensive. Our friends at Hands Together have been particularly hard hit. The report from Father Tom and Doug describes the destruction and Hands Together's plans to rebuild.

Hurricane Response Plan
Father Tom Hagan, Doug Campbell, and Joe Taylor drove to Gonaives, Haiti on September 15 to assess firsthand the devastation caused by hurricanes Hannah and Ike, and to work with Fr. Gerard on an immediate response/recovery plan.

Our support and prayers are needed more than ever. Please read about the response plan on our website.