It was standing room only Dec. 11 at St. Damian Church in Damiansville to celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe as parishes did locally and around the world to celebrate Our Lady’s Dec. 12 feast day.

Father James Allen, OMI was chief celebrant for the liturgy with area priests and deacons also in the sanctuary.

This was also the occasion to say good-bye to Bob Rapp, who has been ministering to Hispanics in the Clinton County area as well as working in St. Clair County for more than five years. He returned to Mexico Dec. 14 where he will live and work. He had ministered in Mexico for many years and will continue ministry there in some way.

Rapp worked closely with the diocesan Office of Hispanic Ministry and the parishes of Clinton County to build or expand programs to nourish the faith of Hispanics with whom he worked. Many people were touched by his ministry here as was evidenced by the number of people who joined the feast day celebration.

Sister Ellen Orf ,CPPS is taking Rapp’s place as the Hispanic minister for Clinton County where she will work with parishes in the North Central Vicariate and the Hispanic people there. Sister Ellen received the keys to the church rectory as a sign that she will now assist people in Clinton County.