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‘A great day of joy’: San Diego’s Catholic community unites for Our Lady of Guadalupe procession

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‘A great day of joy’: San Diego’s Catholic community unites for Our Lady of Guadalupe procession


More than 1,000 Catholics from around San Diego joined together in the North Park neighborhood on Sunday for the annual Our Lady of Guadalupe procession, an event meant to foster unity and hope among the community.

The procession — which honored Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patron saint of Mexico and the Americas — featured more than 70 Aztec dancers, over 20 floats, and members from 25 local parishes and Catholic groups. The event is part of the feast day celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe, celebrated each year on Dec. 12.

There are 1.4 million Catholics living in San Diego and Imperial counties, the majority of which — around 60% — have Latino roots.

This year, members from other cultural groups, including the region’s Catholic Filipino community, also participated in the procession.

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“Most Hispanics in this area are from Mexico originally, but we have many different countries represented here,” said Cardinal Robert McElroy, who leads the Catholic Diocese of San Diego. “It’s a sign that — not only the Hispanic community here — but the community as a whole is a tapestry of diverse cultures.”

Marianne Rios of St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Paradise Hills portrays Our Lady of Guadalupe during a procession to honor Our Lady of Guadalupe near Morley Field in San Diego on Sunday. (K.C. Alfred / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

The procession traveled from the Morley Field Sports Complex and through North Park before ending at the St. Augustine High School, where McElroy celebrated Mass with more than 2,000 in attendance.

The religious event has been celebrated in San Diego for more than 50 years. It honors the “Patroness of the Americas” who is believed to have appeared to a Mexican peasant named Juan Diego in the 16th century during the Spanish colonization of Mexico and its Indigenous people.

“She served as a model of hope and identity for the oppressed and the native population at the time,” said Auxiliary Bishop Felipe Pulido, one of the procession organizers.

Today, members of the Latino community are seeking some of that same hope, he said.

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In the weeks following the re-election of President-elect Donald Trump, local parishioners have expressed fears over what a second Trump term may bring to their community.

Trump has promised mass deportations, pledged to roll back birthright citizenship and said he would use the U.S. military for immigration enforcement at the southern border.

While the event is a celebration of the patron saint and her blessings, McElroy said concerns about the future have given way to a “somberness” at this year’s event.

“It’s a great day of joy… and also asking God to accompany us through those challenges we face,” he said.

Dancers from Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Chula Vista perform during a procession to honor Our Lady of Guadalupe near Morley Field in San Diego on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (K.C. Alfred / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Dancers from Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Chula Vista perform during a procession to honor Our Lady of Guadalupe near Morley Field in San Diego on Sunday. (K.C. Alfred / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

Some parishioners say Our Lady of Guadalupe has helped them through other recent personal struggles, such as grief and worries over their family’s health.

“Everybody has needs; everybody has loss,” said Yolanda Vargas, a member of the Our Lady of Guadalupe church in Chula Vista and whose mother passed away earlier this year.

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Vargas was one of several women from her church — each wearing colorful and beaded traditional clothing and head dresses — who participated in the Danza Guadalupana, a dance to honor the patron saint, during the procession.

Her aunt participated in the dance for 53 years, she said, which inspired her to join this year.

The procession also attracted other community members who were enjoying the day at Morley Field.

Barrio Logan resident Victoria Valenzuela was biking with her daughter, Xitlaly Uribe, around the field when they came across the procession. Valenzuela immigrated to the U.S. from Sinaloa, Mexico, in 1994 and said the procession reminded her of her home years ago.

Even though they aren’t Catholic, both the mother and daughter said they were happy to see people out together.

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It’s really nice; we see community,” Uribe said.

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San Diego, CA

UNLV faces San Diego State after Hamilton’s 24-point performance

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UNLV faces San Diego State after Hamilton’s 24-point performance


UNLV Rebels (16-14, 11-8 MWC) at San Diego State Aztecs (19-10, 13-6 MWC)

San Diego; Friday, 10 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: UNLV faces San Diego State after Kimani Hamilton scored 24 points in UNLV’s 92-65 victory over the Utah State Aggies.

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The Aztecs have gone 13-2 in home games. San Diego State is eighth in the MWC with 9.0 offensive rebounds per game led by Miles Heide averaging 2.0.

The Rebels have gone 11-8 against MWC opponents. UNLV ranks eighth in the MWC shooting 34.4% from 3-point range.

San Diego State averages 79.1 points per game, 0.6 more points than the 78.5 UNLV gives up. UNLV averages 7.2 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.9 fewer made shots on average than the 9.1 per game San Diego State allows.

The teams play for the second time in conference play this season. San Diego State won the last meeting 82-71 on Jan. 24. Miles Byrd scored 23 points points to help lead the Aztecs to the win.

TOP PERFORMERS: Reese Dixon-Waters is shooting 35.9% from beyond the arc with 1.6 made 3-pointers per game for the Aztecs, while averaging 13 points. Byrd is averaging 10.2 points and 5.1 rebounds over the past 10 games.

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Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn is shooting 50.9% and averaging 20.6 points for the Rebels. Hamilton is averaging 1.4 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Aztecs: 5-5, averaging 74.9 points, 28.9 rebounds, 13.7 assists, 6.9 steals and 4.2 blocks per game while shooting 46.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 69.0 points per game.

Rebels: 6-4, averaging 84.1 points, 32.3 rebounds, 14.7 assists, 6.4 steals and 4.8 blocks per game while shooting 50.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 80.8 points.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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Military bases in San Diego County increase security following Iran attacks

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Military bases in San Diego County increase security following Iran attacks


SAN DIEGO (CNS) – Military bases in San Diego County and nationwide have increased security measures due to last weekend’s U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran, prompting traffic delays near base entrances, enhanced ID checks and access restrictions.

The Naval Air Station North Island on Coronado ports three aircraft carriers, including the San Diego-based USS Abraham Lincoln, which led some of the first-wave attacks on Saturday.

Naval Base Coronado warned motorists of possible traffic delays at all base entry points due to the increased security measures.

Targets included Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps command and control facilities, Iranian air defense capabilities, missile and drone launch sites and military airfields.

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The U.S. operation, dubbed “Epic Fury,” and Israeli operation, “Raging Lion,” began striking targets at 1:15 a.m. Eastern Time Saturday.

As of Tuesday, at least six U.S. service members had been killed in action.

The strikes also killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Hosseini Khamenei, who had been Iran’s supreme leader since 1989, making him the longest-serving head of state in the Middle East.

Iran’s offensive forces claimed to have struck USS Abraham Lincoln with ballistic missiles, but according to an X post from U.S central Command, “The Lincoln was not hit. The missiles launched didn’t even come close. The Lincoln continues to launch aircraft in support of CENTCOM’s relentless campaign to defend the American people by eliminating threats from the Iranian regime.”

Those with concerns regarding the heightened security can contact San Diego County’s Office of Emergency Services at 858-565-3490 or oes@sdcounty.ca.gov.

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SD Unified moves forward with layoffs of classified employees

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SD Unified moves forward with layoffs of classified employees


SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — Less than 3 weeks after the San Diego Unified School District finalized a new contract with teachers, the school board voted unanimously on Tuesday to move forward with layoff notices for other district employees.

The layoffs affect classified employees — workers who are employed by the district but are not teachers and are not certified. That includes bus drivers, custodians, special education and teacher aides, and cafeteria workers.

The district says it is eliminating 221 positions — 133 that are currently filled and 88 that are vacant — to save $19 million and help address a projected $47 million deficit for the next fiscal year.

Preliminary layoff notices will go out on March 15, with final notices by May 15.

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The district estimates about 200 classified employees will receive preliminary notices, but of them, about 70 are expected to lose their jobs based on union-negotiated bumping rules.

Bumping allows employees with more seniority to move into another position in the same classification, thereby “bumping” a less senior employee out of that role.

Lupe Murray, an early childhood special education parafacilitator with the district, said the news came as a shock after the teacher strike was called off.

“When the strike was called off, I’m like, ‘Yes!’ So then when I got the email from the Superintendent, I’m like, ‘Wait, what?’ So, I think everyone was shocked,” Murray said.

The district says it sends out annual layoff notices, as all districts in the state do.

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Before Tuesday’s board meeting, classified employees rallied outside, made up of CSEA (California School Employees Association) Chapters OTBS 788, Paraeducators 759, and OSS 724. They were joined by parents, students, and the San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council, AFL-CIO.

Miguel Arellano, a paraeducator independence facilitator with San Diego Unified and a representative of San Diego Paraeducators Cahpter 759.

“What do we want? No layoffs! When do we want it? Now!” the crowd chanted.

Arellano said he felt compelled to act when he learned about the potential layoffs.

“The first thing that went through my mind was that I need to speak up. I need to protect these people,” Arellano said.

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Inside the meeting, the board heard emotional, at times tearful testimony from classified employees before voting unanimously to move forward with the layoff schedule.

Superintendent Fabi Bagula said the district has tried to protect classrooms from the cuts.

“We have tried our best to only, I mean, to not touch the school. Or the classroom. But now it’s at the point where it’s getting a little bit harder,” Bagula said. “What I’m still hoping, or what I’m still working toward, because we’re still in negotiations, is that we’re able to actually come to a win-win, where there’s positions and availability and maybe even promotions for folks that are impacted.”

Arellano warned the layoffs could have a direct impact on students.

“We are already spread thin, so, with more of a case load, it’s going to be impossible to be able to service all the students that we need to have,” Arellano said.

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Follow ABC 10News Anchor Max Goldwasser on InstagramFacebook, and Twitter.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.





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