If you are interested in being a part of the crew, please e-mail Jeanie at jhaigh@webbearings.com

January 8, 2007

Latest News for 2007!

Deacon Dave’s Jubilee Announced! The 25th Jubilee celebration of Deacon Dave’s Ordination as a deacon in Roman Catholic Church has been scheduled for Saturday December 1, 2007. The Jubilee Celebration will take place at the Saturday night 5 p.m. regularly scheduled Mass. The Mass is the vigil mass for the First Sunday of Advent. A Reception in the Parish Hall will follow.

In addition Deacon Dave will be celebrating the 25th Anniversary of his Christmas Display on Friday December 7th with the Opening Night Ceremonies of his now famous Christmas Display at The House of the Dove (Casa del Pomba) 352 Hillcrest Ave in Livermore. The Out Door Celebration will take place at 6:30 p.m.

Deacon Dave was ordained on Saturday December 4th, 1982 the same year he started his Christmas Display. Bishop John S. Cummins assigned Deacon Dave to St. Michael Parish in Livermore upon ordination. Deacon Dave has served only at St. Michael Parish. The Deacon was appointed The Bishop’s Representative & Director of Deacon Personnel by Bishop John S. Cummins about 12 years ago and continues to serve in that position under Bishop Allen H. Vigneron.

As Bishop’s Representative & Director of Deacon Personnel Deacon Dave has remained assigned to St. Michael Parish in Parish Ministry. As an ordained member of the clergy the deacon has ministered in a wide area of parish and diocesan ministries.

Deacon Dave is Secretary General of Santa’s Secret Service based at St. Michael Church. Santa’s Secret Service begins its 48th year in 2007. The organization is responsible for collecting and distributing over 1 million Christmas Gifts to Care Centers, Youth Homes, Hospitals, Shelters, Rest Homes, Shut-ins, the poor and the Homeless. Those receiving the gifts are children, teens, young adults and the young of heart. Last year to age 103.

Deacon Dave is Chairman of the Parish Liturgical Youth Mass Committee; He has been on many parish projects in the area of Fund Raising and is involved in parish ministry being a member of St. Michael Parish Staff.

Deacon Dave was baptized at St. Michael Church as was his mother Norma Gomes Rezendes. Deacon Dave is a fourth generation family at St. Michael Parish. His Great Grandfather and Grandmother contributed in building the Church. Deacon’s Grandmother and Grandfather rode to mass in a horse and buggy.

Deacon Dave comes from a Livermore ranching background. Deacon Dave’s Great Grandfather and Grandfather had farms on the old Beck Road, now called North Livermore Ave. The Deacon’s Family at one time owned ranch land from the Overpass 580 all the way to Hartman Road.

Deacon Dave Love of St. Michael Parish goes deep. He has said “that the people of St. Michael are the love of his life. I know that they too love St. Michael Church.”

Deacon Dave has said “that Msgr. Robert Adams and the Dominican Sisters planted the seed so long ago to serve the Church. So many, many people were inspirational in me answering the Call from God to serve in his Church. Serving the people of God is what it is all about I love being a Deacon.”

Planning for the celebration of the jubilee mass and the celebration for opening night of the Christmas Display are underway.

January 3, 2007

Deacon Dave’s 25th Anniversary Christmas Display will open on Friday December 7th. 2007 at 6:30 p.m. with a beautiful and colorful Advent/Christmas Procession down Hillcrest Ave. in Livermore.

Those who come to the opening ceremonies will gather in front of Deacon Dave’s House of the Dove in the Dark waiting for the arrival of the Christmas Procession. Within the Opening Ceremonies 277,000 lights will be turned on and the gates to the Display will open.

The 2007 Theme is a SECRET until announced on Opening Night by the Deacon.

In addition the Rev. Deacon will celebrate his 25th anniversary of Ordination as a Roman Catholic Cleric.

News Bulletin # 3

November 14, 2007

The Rush is On:

The rush is on for the 25th Anniversary Christmas Display Grand Opening Friday December 7th with the Christmas Procession down Hillcrest Ave. at 6:30 p.m.

Opening Ceremonies will be conducted by Deacon Dave. The Mayor, Police Chief and Fire Chief are among the honored quests. Security Eye Patrol, Inc. will be providing both uniformed and plain clothes presence. Included in the Ceremony will be the annual Blessing of the Christmas Lights.

Two Special Awards will be given by Deacon Dave at the Ceremony. David Graber and his mother Kathy Graber were part of the Christmas Team the very first year and several after that. In fact the whole team was composed by the Deacon and Dave Graber and Kathy Graber. Dave Graber was the builder with Deacon Dave and Kathy made the Elves and costumes.

Tallest Building in all 25 years:

By far the tallest building of all the displays is this year’s entrance to the free Christmas Display. The top of the building could not be humanly lifted to put in place. Equipment had to be rented to lift the Spire into place. The Spire will have the Signature of the House of the Dove, that is doves circling the Spire. The Church of St. Nicholas as the Deacon calls it, rises high above all the other buildings.

Artist at Work:

Jeanie Haigh a gifted artist is busy painting the Stain glass windows of the Church of St. Nicholas. The gifted artist has worked on many of the displays over the years. She and her husband David Haigh are part of the planning team. Jeanie has painted signs, scrolls, Stain glass and designed specific decorations for the Display. As a leader of the planning team she can be seen rushing from one project to the next at the display.

What will next years theme be???????

This years theme remains a big secret until the Grand Opening night on December 7th. However Deacon Dave is busy working on what the Theme for year 26 will be. Deacon Dave will swear his staff to secrecy at the annual Christmas staff party. He then will announce next years theme. This is how it has been done for 25 years. And yes everybody has kept the secret.

Deacon Gives Christmas Blessing:

Someone recently asked “Is it true that if I ask for a blessing from Deacon Dave he will give me one?” Some people have witnessed the deacon give a blessing. The Deacon sometimes stands outside the door of his home to greet the people. People have asked him for a blessing and he has freely given it. Others have wanted a blessing but were too timid to ask. When the deacon is at the door he has no problem giving a special blessing. After all it is in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Santa Claus – Live at Casa del Pomba (House of the Dove):

Santa Claus will journey from the North Pole and be at the Christmas Display on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. Santa will be in one of the buildings. Stop by and give him a big wave. Also remember to bring your letters to Santa. There will be a special mail box for children’s letters to Santa. He has been known to answer the child’s letter.

Did you know?

In all 25 Christmas Displays there has been live doves displayed somewhere in the displays. Sometimes they are very obvious other times a visitor will have to look for them. The deacon says “if you seen them they will bring you good luck in the coming year.” Several of the visitors have wanted to purchase the doves. Sorry but the Deacon does not sell his doves. There are at least 6 different breeds of doves in the Meditation Garden. There are an estimated 100 doves living at the House of the Dove.

The Name “Casa del Pomba” is Portuguese for House of the Dove. 25 years ago Deacon Dave named his Home “Casa del Pomba” House of the Dove in honor of the third person of the Blessed Trinity. The Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is often depicted as a dove. Deacon Dave has one dove dedicated to God. The current dove filling that position is a 19 year old dove named Spiritu Santo meaning “Holy Spirit”. Something note worthy is that most does live only 8 years or so. A 19 year old dove is indeed very unusual. Spiritus is finger tamed. He is quite the pet. Everyone that works on the Christmas Display love the bird. The dove is shown in many photos with Deacon Dave.