Last Night, Across The Street From Parroquia Episcopal San Cristóbal

Last night the Lovely Mona and I attended a Cinceñera for Kimberly Nicole Grant, a member of our Parish and the Youth Group, Luz de Mañana. The party was held at the patio of Instituto Episcopal San Cristóbal. You may remember it as the site of our services last January when the ceiling was being re-done. It was a very nice event, except for the fact that Padre really doesn't like to go to things on Saturday evening, as he gets up very early on Sundays. I was told that I would be doing my sacerdotal duties (blessing rings, Birthday Girl, and food) at 9:00 p.m., which worked out great for me. But, this being Panamá, things really didn't get started until almost 10:00 p.m. and the blessings didn't take place until almost 11:00 p.m. Other than that, it was a nice evening. I have never participated in a Panamanian Cinceñera and it is a bit different than the ones of the Mexican-American community back in California. I loved all the ceremony: Kimberly's little sister, Brittany, lead the procession. She had this great little strut and she was beaming. She was followed by four Flower Girls, two in blue dresses and two in peach dresses. The Flower Girls were followed by a young lady carrying the number 15 (in case we forgot what this was all about), and she was followed by a young lady carrying a very ornate balloon which contained los zapatos (Kimberly's first pair of high heeled shoes). Then, of course, Kimberly processed on the arm of her father. I blessed a ring which her mother, Janet, put on her finger. Then her Godmother, Xiomara Newman (secretary of Parroquia San Cristóbal), placed a tiara on Kimberly's head. One of her Aunts put the shoes on Kimberly's feet, and then another Aunt presented her with a Bible. Then I gave her a birthday blessing, and then, being efficent, blessed the food. Then Kimberly danced with her father. As I said, it was a nice evening. And now, the photos!


The Patio before most folks arrived

Decorations

The Cake (Kimberly's mother, Janet, made the cake. She is a graduate of our Cake Decorating classes)

Table Centerpiece

Miss Brittany Grant

Those of you familiar with El Gran Combo de SanCristóbal will recognise our Keyboardist, Bernie Murray, with his wife, Vielka, and daughter Zenaida, and the Bassist


Getting ready for the procession

Lining up

Brittany leads the procession

The Flower Girls




¡15!

Los Zapatos

Waiting for Kimberly

Kimberly Grant and her father, Rolando Grant

Blessing the ring

Kimberly's Mother, Janet, with the ring

Kimberly's Godmother, Xiomara, with the tiara (corona)

Auntie and the shoes

Kimberly smiles!

Another Auntie with the Bible

Birthday Blessing

Dancing with Dad

I don't know what's going on here but I like the photo

Las Hermanas, Kimberly y Brittany