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Festa
2010- Evelyn DaRosa Feliciano and Family
In
2010, the United Portuguese S.E.S. Festa do Divino Espirito
Santo will be celebrating its 100th year. My family and I
are both extremely blessed and honored to be the Centennial
Presidents of this great Festa. It is with enormous pride
in our Portuguese heritage and culture that we embark on
this centennial celebration. The 2010 Centennial U.P.S.E.S.
Festa will not only celebrate our present, but also commemorate
and honor our past. The Festa will promote the remarkable
100 year history of San Diego’s Oldest Ethnic Festival.
In 1985, my parents Cristiano and Evelina DaRosa had the
privilege of being the 75th Presidents or “Festeiros” of
the Festa. Thanks to them, I had the honor of reigning as
the 75th U.P.S.E.S. Queen. Having grown up participating
in the Festa since the young age of 3, I understood the true
meaning of being Queen and representing Queen Saint Isabel
of Portugal. Now it is with devout devotion to the Holy Spirit
and in honor of Queen Saint Isabel, that my daughter Karinna
Evelina and my son Joshua Michael reign as the 100th U.P.S.E.S.
Festa Queen and King.
Showing our gratefulness to the Holy Spirit and giving back
to the Portuguese Community of San Diego has been something
that my family has yearned to do since my husband Michael
was diagnosed with brain cancer back in 1998. Michael was
given less than a 30% chance of surviving one year. By the
blessings of our Lord above, Michael not only exceeded doctor’s
expectations, but went back to his occupation of being Captain
of our family’s purse seiner, the M/V Capt. Cristiano
DaRosa. Michael left port on a voyage exactly one year to
the date and time of his brain surgery with our son, Joshua
by his side. We believe it was our faith in God and blessings
from the Divine Holy Spirit that gave us an extra 5 years
with Michael, until his death in 2003.
One week before the 97th U.P.S.E.S. Festa in 2007, I was
diagnosed with breast cancer. No child should have to go
through one parent with cancer, let alone two and in such
a short time of each other. My concern was never for myself
but for my family and I began to question why God would put
my children through this hardship again. I prayed to the
Holy Spirit and Queen Saint Isabel in the middle of the U.P.S.E.S.
Hall, in front of the picture of the Holy Spirit Coroa (crown)
that was depicted on the “Welcome” sign of then
Festa Presidents Jose & Maria Drummond. I begged the
Holy Spirit to spare my life not for myself but for my young
children. I made a “Promesa”, or promise to the
Holy Spirit that I would host the Festa someday, in memory
of my husband Michael. At this point, I released my anxiety
and distress. It was then that I realized it is not our place
to question God’s plan but to accept it and deal with
it the best way we know how to. It is with this immense faith
in the Holy Spirit I sincerely believe my family and I were
able to overcome. WE HAVE TRULY BEEN BLESSED.
In 2008, with an earnest desire to fulfill my “promesa” and
honor the Holy Spirit, I submitted my name to be the 99th
Festa President. Unfortunately, I was not chosen. The Holy
Spirit had other plans for my family and I. In 2009, I took
the opportunity to submit my name a second time and by some
Grace of God, was chosen. My family and I had an overwhelming
feeling of gratitude, excitement, and honor as we were announced
the 100th Presidents of the Festa. It is with this heartfelt
need to pay homage, and an enormous feeling of thanksgiving
for all of the blessings that have been bestowed upon my
family and I by the Holy Spirit and in honor of Queen Saint
Isabel of Portugal that we become the Centennial Presidents
of the U.P.S.E.S. Festa do Divino Espirito Santo.
My family and I would like to acknowledge and thank everyone
who gives of their time and talents for the Festa and the
Portuguese Community of San Diego. These people are the true “Festa
Presidents”. This Festa is yours. It is your faith
in the Holy Spirit and the true meaning of the Festa that
has enabled it to continue. You are the ones that give countless
hours to the Bazaar, Security, Parade, Kitchen, and Fundraisers.
Everyone from the people in the bazaar booths, to the men
that hang flags along the parade route, to the people that
wrap utensils for the luncheons, to the cooks, to the ones
that put the Festa parade on the street, to the ones that
spend countless hours in front of computers doing paperwork,
to the ones that serve on fundraising committees, each and
every one of you are the true “Festeiros”. Without
all of your help this Festa could not have thrived for the
past 100 years and counting. I hope that you will help us
continue for many more years by participating in some of
the Festa fundraisers scheduled throughout the next year.
Hope to see you all at the U.P.S.E.S. 2010 Centennial Festa
do Divino Espirito Santo being held on May 21- 23, 2010!
May Queen Saint Isabel inspire and guide you and may the
Holy Spirit watch over you always!
Evelyn DaRosa Feliciano and Family
U.P.S.E.S. 2010 Centennial Festa President
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