Dedicated Daisies: Discover the “Three Margaritas”

At All Saints Catholic Parish in Denver, there is a family trio affectionately known as the “Three Margaritas.” Laura Salazar, Gerri Lopez and Denise Salazar are the beating hearts behind many of the church’s thriving initiatives.

The Spanish word Margarita means daisy and, true to their name, these three parents embody the qualities of the flower: they are bright, cheerful and resilient.

They received their name from Monsignor Pierre Quang Nguyen, parish priest of All Saints.

“When I came to this parish, we had an urgent need to rebuild the community,” he said.

And it is their support, Monsignor Quang explained, that has helped him serve the parish. “They say whatever you need, we can do it.”

“When I arrived at the parish, I went around the neighborhood to try to get to know it better and I came across a restaurant called ‘3 Margaritas.’ So I nicknamed them that because there are three of them, but they are one in everything they do. They are a blessing to me,” said Bishop Quang.

For 20 years, Laura, Gerri, and Denise have dedicated themselves to making All Saints a welcoming and caring community. From maintaining the church grounds to expanding the home ministry, these women have become indispensable pillars of the parish. Their efforts resonate throughout the congregation, with many acknowledging that they do “whatever it takes” to ensure the success of the church’s projects.

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In short, they go above and beyond what is expected of them.

They serve the parish as extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, sacristans and prayer group leaders. Each week, they visit more than 20 homebound people, bringing the Eucharist, faith and comfort to those who cannot attend Mass in person.

For Laura Salazar, the journey with All Saints began during a time of personal struggle.

“I was trying to find a church because I was going through some major life changes, and I would show up for 6:30 in the morning. I would stay until 7:30 and I didn’t want to go home, so I started getting involved,” she explained.

“I watched people cleaning and thought, ‘Well, I can help.’ Then I got more involved in whatever they needed,” she added.

Since then, and as the three women have become more involved in the parish, they have seen their community expand beyond belief, Lopez shared.

“We call them our parish family. The priests in particular are amazing and inspiring, which makes you want to come to church and help others in that way,” she said.

Recently, they began holding evening prayers at the parish so that the community could gather and pray before heading home for the evening.

Her home away from home, All Saints has become a welcoming refuge for Denise Salazar.

“I actually got confirmed here,” she shared. “I was going to Lincoln High School right down the street and I wanted to get confirmed. We didn’t have a church that we attended regularly, so I walked there.”

In addition to growing within the community, the “three margaritas” felt their faith strengthened through their work at All Saints.

Lopez shared that she first came into contact with All Saints when her niece, Denise, signed her up to work at Gabriel House, now Marisol Family, a ministry that supports mothers in need.

“One day I got a call from my niece because she was on the (Gabriel’s House) committee,” she recalls. “So I started helping out regularly every Saturday, and then I thought, ‘You know, if I want to get involved, I have to start coming to church because I’ve been away for 40 years.’”

“I realized that if I had come to church all those years while I was working, my professional life probably would have been a lot easier because I would have had this Lord to guide me,” she continued.

In recognition of their dedication to serving their community, Laura, Gerri and Denise have been recognized as the Archbishop’s Catholic Calling Disciples of the Month. Through their unwavering dedication, the “three margaritas” have grown in their faith and strengthened the All Saints community. Their story is a testament to the power of service and the profound impact of a supportive community of faith.

Congratulations, Laura, Gerri and Denise, on being the Archbishop’s Catholic Call Disciples of the Month!

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