The small congregation at St. Mark’s Anglican Church in Guadalajara has accepted the resignation of its pastor of nine years, Manuel Sonora.

A celebrated former consul general at Guadalajara’s U.S. Consulate died last month in a diving accident while on vacation in Belize.

Guadalajara is preparing to open its first University of the Third Age (U3A), providing educational opportunities for retired or semi-retired members of the community.

St. Mark’s Anglican/Episcopal Church will have a garden procession on Palm Sunday, April 1, noon. During the service, the choir will sing seasonal music and hymns. This service is bilingual, English and Spanish. On Easter Sunday, April 8, a solemn bilingual Eucharist and Paschal candle lighting begins at 11 a.m. St. Mark’s eight-member choir, joined by additional singers and accompanied  by Ana Silvia Guerrero on the organ, will sing Mozart’s Exsultate Jubilate, Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus and many favorite hymns. Afterwards, an Easter egg hunt will be held in the garden and snacks served in the parish hall. Everyone is invited to St. Mark’s. Two-minute drive north of Plaza Mexico, on corner of Aztecas and Chichimecas in Colonia Monraz. www.stmarksanglican.com.

Getting into the spirit of the St. Patrick’s Day/American Society birthday fiesta were Maria Soileau (L) and Olivia Kuta (left).

A large house on the Chapalita Glorieta has been cleverly converted into a new Office Max store.

According to the company, the cost of renovating the building came to around 30 million pesos.  Every effort was made to maintain the integrity of the structure, they said.  The store has parking space to one side.

Eating options at the glorieta include New York, New York, El Tango and Dali.  There are also two cafes: El Globo and  Expressamente Illy, both with outdoor seating. On Sundays, an art market is held in the glorieta, with a performance by the Zapopan Band given at 5 p.m.