Aita Karmelo comes to Bakersfield
to experience first hand
the need for a Basque Chaplain in the Western United States.
On August 8, Aita Karmelo Etxenagusia, the Basque Bishop from
Bilbao, along with Aita Mikel Urresti and Aita Martxel Tillous
celebrated Mass at the Kern County Basque Club for all members
and families. There were
260 people in attendance that night, and I'm sure everyone will
agree, it was a beautiful evening! After Mass, a roast lamb
dinner was served out on the handball court, followed by entertainment
provided by Dantzari Gazteak and the Klika. It was a proud night
for Bakersfield!!
Kristie Onaindia & Timothy Etcheverry dance Agura for
the Bishop.
 Frankie
Iturriria delivers Bakersfield's warm welcome in Basque to
Aita Karmelo Etxenagusia, Aita Mikel Urresti, & Aita Martxel
Tillous.
Aita Karmelo, Aita Miguel, Aita Martxel.
The Bakersfield Basque community extends our warmest and fondest
welcome to you, our dear friends and good shepherds. We thank
you for taking the time to be with us today. We are gathered
here to have a good time together. Yes, the heat of the sun
in Bakersfield is intense, but you can also feel the heat
of our hearts as we gather to celebrate our Basque heritage.
Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep
and they know me." It is to you, Aita Karmelo, that we
are addressing our thoughts today. We do have a good shepherd
here: Aita Martxel is among us! However, should he ever leave
us, the American Basques will become lost sheep. We will be
like Jesus' disciples after He ascended into heaven; gazing
at a vast, dry desert.
You have visited many Basque communities
in North America, and have observed the pride of the Basques
everywhere. Well, this is our situation: unless we have a
Basque priest among us, our culture and our
heritage cannot survive. Our hearts will be filled with joy
if you send us a shepherd to guide us in the future. With
his guidance, our ancestor's heritage can be passed on to
our children and our children's children. For forty years,
the Basque priests have worked hard in the American West doing
many jobs: assisting in funerals, weddings, baptisms, Basque
festivals, the care of the ill and elderly, and the list goes
on. We implore our mother Basque Country and our blessed Mother
in heaven to again send us a Basque priest; for a priest is
the heart of our Basque communities.
We thank you for listening to our appeal. May the Lord bless
us all and ensure we will always have a Basque shepherd and
a Basque flock in the United States.
Martin Etchamendy wrote and
sang these beautiful verses to the Bishop
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Agur Aita Karmelo eta konpania
Ongi etorri zuer Bakersfield aldera
Euskaditik zatozte Mendebal haundira
Zuen artaldeari begi emaitera. (bis)
Amerikan bagare ainitz euskaldunak
Beharrak manaturik emigrante jinak
Guziak gaitu elgartzen amodio berak
Maitasuna emanik Euskadiko Amak.
Euskal emigrantea mundu zabalean
Ohorez ibilki da arrotzen artean
Beretu duen fedea euskal lurraldean
Indar emaile dauka bere bihotzean.
Maite dugun fedea nahiz begiratu
Euskal abade zon bait zauzku hunaratu
Fedearekin batean kultura altxatu
Euskaldunen omena denetan zabaldu.
Hasi den lan ederra azkar segitzeko
Euskal apeza ez da izanen luzazko
Ausartzia nik hartzen dut zuri galdatzeko
Hego euskal herritik batto bilatzeko.
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Hello Father Carmelo and Companions
We welcome you to the Bakersfield Area.
You come from Euskadi, to the great far west
To take a quick glance at your flock.
We are many Basques in America
We immigrated out of necessity
We are all united in the same love,
The love given to us by Mother Euskadi.
The Basque immigrant in the wide
open world,
Travels among strangers with honor and dignity.
The faith acquired in his homeland
Nurtures his heart and gives him strength.
To preserve the faith that we
love,
Basque priests came to dwell amongst us.
Together with our faith they lifted our unique culture
Expanding their achievements and fame through out the
land.
Strength to continue the good
work that was started,
We fear the Basque priests here won't last for long.
I take liberty to ask you "Aita" Carmelo
Please try and find us a priest from the southern part
of "Euskal Herria".
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Written by: Anne Marie Minaberri
Translated by: Dominique Minaberrigarai
Frank Maitia
Sr., one of our founding fathers watches the ceremony
with great pride.
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2002,
Pierre Igoa