The Diocese of San José and Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish are committed to supporting our vibrant community. For the first time in over a decade, Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish invited food vendors to sell on church property for the December 11–12 Our Lady of Guadalupe celebration, working closely with the City of San José’s Office of Cultural Affairs and Santa Clara County to ensure all permits were issued properly.
We have been made aware of reports regarding food vendors operating without permits outside church property, resulting in inspections and enforcement actions by the County’s Health Department. We would like to clarify the following:
- Church Role: The parish facilitated the permitting process only for vendors selling within church grounds and ensured compliance with health and safety standards.
- Street Vendors: The parish is not involved in regulating businesses or vendors operating outside church property.
- Community Support: We deeply value the role that food vendors play in enhancing the festive atmosphere of this celebration. While we were not responsible for the county’s actions, we empathized with those affected and encouraged them to connect with local resources for support in understanding permitting requirements.
The Diocese and parish remain dedicated to fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment for all. We will continue working with community partners to ensure that future celebrations honor our faith traditions and public safety standards.
For any questions or concerns, please contact:
Cynthia Shaw
Director of Communications
Diocese of San José