Glendora honors Hispanic heritage

GLENDORA, California--"God wants us to change how we look at each other," explained guest speaker Raul Ramos at the Glendora congregation's Hispanic Heritage Day May 9.

13-Heritage.jpg (5013 bytes) "Jesus Christ commands us to reach across the barriers," Mr. Ramos said. "We all bear the same family name."

Mr. Ramos pastors the San Diego and Pasadena Spanish congregations.

More than 180 people turned out for the daylong celebration timed to coincide with Cinco de Mayo (May 5) observance of the date in 1862 when Mexicans repulsed the French army at the Battle of Puebla.

Before Mr. Ramos' sermon, his wife, Sylvia, performed songs in English and Spanish as a call to worship.

Three presentations given by church members highlighted the contribution Hispanic Americans continue to make to the national life.

David San Jose narrated the struggle of the "Mothers of East LA" in 1985 as they resisted a new state prison in their neighborhood.

Fred Ortiz showed how Hispanics have helped move the Catholic Church to the side of those fighting for social justice in Latin America.

Beth Misner read a prayer of the Migrant Farm Workers, which asked: "Help us love even those who hate us/ So we can change the world."

The day concluded with traditional Mexican food, a selection of Spanish dances by two Glendora children, Delicia Fernandez and Vikki Flores, and a dance initiated by the traditional smashing of the piûata.