Las Posadas, a reenactment of the journey of Joseph and Mary to find a place to give birth to Jesus, will be observed at St. Vincent Pallotti and St. Francis Catholic Churches beginning Dec. 16.

“Posada” is the Spanish word for “inn,” which Mary and Joseph were searching for. Instead, they ended up in a barn, with a manger serving as a crib, when no one accepted them. Traditionally, participants travel from one house to another, where music is played and food served. Las Posadas also can be reenacted in a church or other facility.

Photo credit: antonychammond on Visualhunt.com

At St. Vincent,  2525 Westview Drive, some of the reenactments will be in the church’s Pan American Hall and some will be at private homes. The Dec. 16, 17, and 18 observances will be in Pan American Hall beginning at 6:30 p.m.

The Dec. 16 event is hosted by the Knights of Columbus/OCIA. Dec. 17 is hosted by PACK/Decorating Committee, and Dec. 18 is hosted by Religious Education at St. Vincent. 

The Dec. 24 Las Posadas will be held during the 5 p.m. Mass. The church also will have a Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve.

For more information about Las Posadas at St. Vincent call 325-672-1794

The schedule for St. Francis follows:

December 16, 7 p.m., Jose y Faviola Corral 1810 McCraken
December 17, 7 p.m., Antonio y Joanne Herrera 7655 Co. Rd. 453, Baird
December 18, 7 p.m.,  Fernando y Juana Reyes 1956 Ballinger 
December 19, 7 p.m.,  Leandro y Maria Hernandez 902 Westmoreland
December 20, 7 p.m.,  Juan y Rosa Salgado 665 Washington
December 21, 7 p.m., Sarai Blanco Sanchez 418 N. San Jose Drive
December 22, 7 p.m.,  Jerson Y Stacy Marquez 2119 Paramore
December 23, 7 p.m., Jesse y Maricela Mora 2109 Bel Air

For more information about Las Posadas at St. Francis call 325-721-2916