Eleven years after its scheduled inauguration, the giant Martyrs’ Sanctuary in southern Guadalajara finally has a roof.

A spokesman for the archdiocese of Guadalajara announced that the building is now almost completely covered. 

The ambitious project to construct Mexico’s largest religious edifice has been slowly progressing thanks to private donations. The project costs an estimated 2 billion pesos ($US68 million).

The building is set to honor Mexico’s 25 Catholic martyrs of the Cristero War of the 1920’s. The idea is to seat 12,000 people in the church with the atrium able to accommodate a further 50,000. 

The best flamenco dance groups in Jalisco will perform each week during February and March at Teatro Alarife Martín Casillas, located at Av. Prolongación Alcalde 1351 in Guadalajara. All shows are Thursdays at 8 p.m.

More than 200 taxis parked on Avenida Juarez in Guadalajara, blocking traffic for four hours on Tuesday 28 December. The protesters, who gathered outside the Government Palace, were calling for a zero-tolerance policy towards “pirate” transport companies like motor-taxis and unregulated services like Uber, which are technically illegal. Demonstrators also demanded the resignation of Transport Secretary Mauricio Gudiño.

During her January 28 visit to lakeside Canadian Ambassador Sara Hradecky stopped by Lake Chapala Society headquarters to commemorate 90 years of cordial Canada-Mexico diplomatic relations.

After joining LCS President Ben White, Ajijic Administrator Héctor España and Guadalajara Consul-Trade Commissioner Francis Miguel Uy in a champagne toast  to mark the occasion, the ambassador presided over the planting of a maple tree sapling that will take root as living symbol of friendly ties between the two nations. 

Hradecky and her staff started their busy tour agenda at Chapala’s Centro Cultural González Gallo to offer information on travel, study and doing business in Canada to Mexican citizens, wrapping up the day with an appearance at  the monthly gathering of the Canadian Club of Lake Chapala.

Guadalajara continues its spree on colorful outdoor lighting with a new installation the length of the Chapultepec artistic zone.  Enjoy a night stroll, listen to some free music most weekends at a plethora of bars or dine at dozens of nearby restaurants offering a world different flavors.

Following a spate of at least three suicides in Guadalajara last week, Cardinal Jose Francisco Robles Ortega (Archbishop of Guadalajara), called for people to reflect on the value of human life and work to improve conditions in the community.