Talented Alohi's dancers flanked by JR Productions' top deejays

Slide Show

It is always a sad occasion when a beloved pastor is reassigned, and St. Benedict’s Father Joseph is indeed a much-beloved pastor. It was only fitting, then, that the new Father Provincial’s going-away party be a spectacular event!

On Saturday, August 15, 2009, the parish hall looked nothing like your normal parish hall! It was like walking into a fancy and colorful Hawaiian luau!

The parish’s administrative assistant, Rose Lopez, Rose’s husband, Jose and parish secretary Eva Corral pulled out all the stops organizing the party and it was a smashing success! The hall was beautifully-decorated with bright shades of pink, orange, yellow, red and purple banners and garland spread across tables and streaming from the stage and ceiling. Jose Lopez is the proprietor of JR Productions which provided some terrific deejays that kept the records spinning. Jose also served as master of ceremonies and his upbeat energy throughout the evening kept the crowd very much entertained.

The catered affair was fit for a king! The menu included tasty fried chicken, submarine sandwiches, various summer salads, cool sliced fresh fruit and beverages consisting of soda, bottled water, coffee and iced tea. But that was only the beginning! There was also a dessert station that rivaled any major hotel chain’s! Cakes, donuts, cookies, candies, you name it, covered several extra-long tables. The scrumptious sweets were graciously provided by members of the parish’s Altar Society, Catholic Daughters and Secular Augustinian Recollects.

The party was specially highlighted with delightful entertainment provided by the locally-based Alohi’s Polynesian Dancers. The young women in the group performed graceful traditionally-Polynesian dance numbers, whereas several male performers brought out the laughs for the evening with their funny face-making expressions and audience-participation routines.

The parish hall was filled to overflowing. In fact, as the celebration got underway, it was soon apparent that more tables needed to be set up to accommodate the many friends of Father Joseph.

In addition to the faithful of St. Benedict’s, Fr. Joseph was also thrilled that many members of his family from Buena Park, California, were present to join in the feast.

Fr. Joseph very admiringly thanked Rosie and Jose Lopez and Eva Corral for their generous planning and carrying out of the celebration as well as for their constant love and support for him. Fr. Joseph also thoughtfully introduced the new pastor, Fr. Domingos Machado, OAR and new parochial vicar, Fr. Michael Rafferty, OAR, warmly welcoming them to the parish of St. Benedict.

Fr. Joseph told the parishioners that for seven years he has called St. Benedict his home, and that the people of the parish and the city of Montebello will always have an extraordinarily special place in his heart.