St. Martin of Tours celebrates patron, veterans at fall festival

Instead of the forecasted of rain, parishioners of St. Martin of Tours in Kingsville were granted a beautiful day for celebration. The parish was celebrating its patron saint's day, Veterans Day and its annual Fall Festival all in one on Nov. 6.
 
Bishop Emeritus Edmond Carmody open the festivities with a celebration of Mass on this auspicious day, held early, in honor of veterans and the church's namesake (both the Feast Day of St. Martin of Tours and Veterans Day are traditionally observed on Nov. 11).
 
Children in St. Martin's religious education class sang "God Bless America" in sign language and Bishop Carmody unveiled and blessed a new plaque honoring veterans. The Veterans Band performed and the veterans in attendance received a token of appreciation for their service.
 
After Mass and dedication, the parishioners celebrated their fall festival, which was "...fun for everyone. There was great food and wonderful music and entertainment for everyone to enjoy," parishioner Diana Ochoa said.
 
Congratulations went out to Queen Veronica Mechell and Princess Gabby Esquibel and their families for all their hard work to raise money for St. Martin of Tours.
 
"Thank you to all who purchased raffle tickets and congratulations to the lucky winner of the 2016 Chevy Spark, Pablo Bazan," Ochoa said. 
 
Ochoa said she thanked God for such a beautiful day filled with lots of celebrating. "We were asked if we had a Plan B, because everyone kept saying it was supposed to rain today. It started with 100 percent, then 80 percent and went down to a 40 percent chance of thunderstorms, but Father Naul (Ordonez) told us that it's not going to rain, and all would be okay. He said to have faith in God and pray. So we did just that and wow… we did not get a single drop!"
 
"A big thak you to everyone who came out and supported the church as well as all the entertainment that was provided as well as to all who were working a booth. Thank you for all the drinks, cakes, silent auction items that were donated, without you this festival couldn't have been possible," Ochoa said.