Parishioner Profile: GUADALUPE DE LA CRUZ — A Close Friend of Our Lady

These days, it is hard to catch Guadalupe De La Cruz without a rosary in her hands — or love for Mary in her eyes.

“I am very close to the Virgin Mary,” she says. “Above all, I love the Holy Mass, and after that comes the Rosary, little Jesus and St. Joseph. I just love the Rosary and I am always trying to pray it — I pray it as many times as I can each day. It is very, very special and beautiful. If we pray the Rosary slowly, contemplating the life of Jesus throughout each decade, the Holy Virgin will protect us from many evils.”

And it is also hard to catch her away from our parish building.

“Our parish is my second home or even my first home!” she says. “I know almost everyone there. The parishioners are very kind and good. I pray for my fellow parishioners, and I know they pray for me as well. Our parish family brings us love and help in times of difficulties. The Church teaches us and brings us precious priests.”

Each year, Guadalupe joins three teams of parishioners in visiting people in their homes and praying the Rosary with them. They usually begin this effort in October and finish up on Dec. 11 — the eve of the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

“We have done this for many years,” she says. “We visit 46 homes and pray 46 Rosaries total. We didn’t get to do it last year because of COVID, but I really enjoy it and I hope we can do it again this year.”

Guadalupe also enjoys giving her time and talent to those in need, such as by bringing Holy Communion to the sick, and praying for the deceased.

“I like to visit them, and enable them to receive Jesus, so He can help them bear their pain,” Guadalupe says. “I want to bring them the peace and joy of Jesus. I also try to pray a Rosary Novena for the soul of almost every person from our parish who dies.”

Most importantly, as the mother of eight children and the grandmother of five grandchildren, Guadalupe lives out the stewardship vision by bringing the love of Christ to her family in beautiful ways.

“I am always praying for them and trying to be a good example to them,” she says. “Several of my boys go to St. Patrick’s Church and they are very happy to spend a lot of their time there.”

Looking back on her life, 75-year-old Guadalupe can see the gracious hand of God at work in marvelous ways. With this in mind, she wants to give hope to those who need it most.

“I have had great faith in God all throughout my life,” she says. “God has helped me every single day of my life. Whenever I need something, He is there for me. I also see His presence in others. If I could give advice to others, I would say to come to church and do not leave God behind. You will find everything you need at church. If you put your faith off to the side, life will be very difficult for you.”