www.welcomehomergv.com
•••
Welcome Home WINTER TEXAN • • • December 22, 2021
1
We’re just connecting the dots.
VOLUME 7 • ISSUE 11 • December 22, 2021 • • • your official connection to the rio grande valley • • •
hello F R O M K R IS T I
It’s
hard to believe the holidays are right around the corner. Each year, it seems they get here faster than the year before. This year, I’m thankful because I’ve been able to see so many of our Winter Texan friends, whereas last year, if we saw each other, it was via Zoom. Our office closes the week between Christmas and New Year’s, as we have found over the years that our Winter Texan friends are busy with golf-cart parades, holiday parties, and stuffing stockings. It also gives us a bit of time to breathe, enjoy our families, and celebrate and allows us the opportunity to get some much-needed rest. We know exactly what will be waiting for us after our break. Come January, it’s go-go-go, and we need our rest to keep up with all of you! From our families to yours, we wish you a wonderful and safe holiday. We’ll be wellrested and ready to see you in 2022! • We’re just connecting the dots,
Kristi
THANK YOU TO OUR
2021-2022
SEASON SPONSORS
• The Illumination of the Lourdes Grotto of Rio Grande City •
An annual twinkling Christmas delight Story and photos by Gretchen Losi
For those looking for somewhere
special and holy to visit this Christmas season, Rio Grande City has just the spot for you. A longtime tradition, running several generations in the Rio Grande Valley, is the illumination of the Lourdes grotto at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Nearly 100 years ago, a Germanborn priest, Rev. Gustav Gollbach, immigrated to Texas. He spent some 20 years spreading the Gospel around the state before finding his
way to Rio Grande City, where he served 13 years at Immaculate Conception. Here is where he accomplished his most memorable work, a replica of the miraculous Lourdes grotto of France. The original destination in France, with its healing waters, attracts more pilgrims than any other Christian shrine in the world. Rev. Golbach, inspired by Lourdes in LOURDES GROTTO CONTINUED ON PAGE 4 >>