We celebrate each Fall the anniversary of the Servants of the Cross Mission being officially recognized by the Bishop of Matamoros and serving in Reynosa, Mexico. This year marked the Tenth Anniversary. Hosted by the Solteros (Single Men & Women) and the Seguidores de la Cruz (the movement for Married Couples with their families), games, competitions, music and outstanding homemade tacos accent the relationships and mutual blessings which we all share with one another.

On Sunday, November 26, the Lord provided a sunny afternoon which nearly reached eighty degrees Fahrenheit. A few threatening clouds blew away early and no one ever thought of rain afterwards. Early morning Mass and the normal courses of the school for families proceeded smoothly, affording families time to return home to get naps and to recharge before the mid-afternoon festivities.


Several of the Missionaries of Intercession enjoy the beautiful, sunny afternoon and the opportunity to catch up on their friendships with each other, and with Families and Solteros they know from Sundays.

An atmosphere of music and welcome were provided by the Solteros who run the different games and contests so that families can compete amongst themselves for top honors of who scored the most points in the complete circuit of innovative activities which test manual skills, ingenuity, athletic prowess and teamwork applications. The competition is loving, friendly, joyful, somewhat fierce, polite, courteous and hotly contested-- a wondrous combination of characteristics possible only in a culture of life and love.


Solteros after the competition, cleaning up and calculating the all-important score totals of all the events.

Each year, tacos lovingly prepared with simple ingredients and provided by the families are collected, displayed together and shared buffet-style. A separate, full-sized table is  required to present the different flavors and potencies of salsas-- some of which now have years of fame and reputation. If you are not a native of Mexico you need a reliable guide to navigate that table. There is no first aid available nor promises that you will not become a by-word if you end up enchilado (that is enchilada if you happen to be a woman who is gasping, weeping and turning colors like a chameleon in a bowl of pickled beets.) This year was no different-- and happily, there were no casualties.


Manuel with his daughter, Aylin, and son, Junior, speeding off to the line where his wife, Nayeli, is serving tacos.

Guests are always surprised at how personally they are welcomed and how politely and effectively vanquished in the competition and games. The healthy human relationships often trigger a heartfelt desire to return to El Rancho Nazaret (the Servants of the Cross center for the school for families) in a man, a woman or a couple who had been hesitant to reply to an invitation to a more "spiritual" activity.


A mother/daughter team: Claudia and her daughter, Gabriela, waiting nervously for their event to be initiated by the time keeper and recorded in the annals and official ledgers of the judges.

Thank you Lord Jesus, for our mission of Servants of the Cross and for what You are accomplishing in the lives of persons, couples and families here in Reynosa.