Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Here is a great link for activities!

Here is a excerpt from the same link behind this wonderful celebration:

"Cinco de mayo is celebrated on the 5th of May. Contrary to what many people believe, Cinco de mayo is not Mexico's independence day from Spain. Rather, it's a remembrance of a David and Goliath-like fight. In 1862, as the French invasion of Mexico began, Mexican General Ignacio Zaragoza's force of 4,000 soldiers defeated twice as many French soldiers in the Battle of Puebla. The French occupation would continue until 1866. But the Mexican soldiers' courage and determination inspired Mexican Americans. Even back then, historians say, California's Mexican Americans celebrated the win. Later, in the 1960s and 1970s, Chicanos involved in the civil rights movement related the Cinco de mayo story to their quest for respect in the United States. They identified with the Mexican Indian and mestizo (people of Mexican Indian and European descent) soldiers' triumph over European conquest attempts. Chicano activists publicized it and made it a popular holiday in the United States. Today, it's become much like St. Patrick's Day. You don't have to be Mexican to celebrate it. "

How true is that? A few years ago in my parish, we had 'cinco de mayo' parties b/c of the large part of our parish being Mexican. It was awesome to have us all together. We have a Sunday Spanish Mass every week but we never get a chance to really get to know those that attend that Mass. That is why the party was so fun to make new friends, experience a bit of their culture, and to expose my children to all ethnicities in a good Catholic setting. Unfortunately, it was not put on the parish calender the last 2 years and ohhhh...how we do miss it!

For today, we will celebrate it by watching CCC's video of St. Juan Diego. We'll have some salsa and chips at lunch and dance to some Mexican music!

(I have to admit, with the celebration of today, I can't help but think of that nasty terrible swine flu!)

God bless,
Mary