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April 17-23, 2020 facebook.com/FloridaCatholic
YOUR OR NDO COMMUNITY
in Altamonte Springs, St. Francis of Assisi in Apopka and St. Mary's in Rockledge. "This is a great thing to do, especially when people are struggling and hurting," he said. People have gifts and talents and they're delighted to use them to help other people." Parochial vicar and Blessed Sacrament priest, Father George Dunne, added, "As we face this cri- sis together, we are all asked to play our part for the greater good of the worldwide community of God's children." McGinty concurred. As she con- tinually checks on her porch settee for masks that have been dropped off, she noted, "We are Eucharistic people. Because we can't celebrate Mass together in our beautiful sanc- tuary, this feeds us as we help oth- ers."
MEALS
When Florida restaurants were ordered to close March 17, 2020 ex- cept for pick-up and delivery ser- vices, Reina and Steve Mendez did not complain or bemoan their situ- ation. The owners of La Hacienda Restaurant and Supermarket in Oc- ala sprang into action, serving free take-out meals to first responders, police, firefighters and EMTs. We have all this food. I'd rather feed people than let it go to waste," Reina told her husband Steve. Word of mouth spread and that's when a business owner approached them. He said, "I know you're taking a loss, so I just wanted to do some- thing." The anonymous donor gave them a check to use as they saw fit. Realizing those not coming in for food were the medical personnel, due to their long hours, the couple decided to cook meals and bring it to Ocala Regional Medical Center staff. The authentic Mexican de- lights - chilis rellenos (stuffed Po- blano peppers), burritos and sauce, rice, and beans - were greatly ap- preciated. Nurse Sindi Martinez, whose daughters have gone to school with the Mendez children for years, shared the food with fellow nurses, cleaning staff and doctors. She said her Blessed Trinity and Trinity Catholic School families have made a difference. It was very emotional for our team. It's been very stressful - it made everyone's day," Martinez said. "My faith carries me through. We know what we have to do. This is the career we chose - to heal and help people overcome their worst days. At the same time it's painful for us to watch people suffer." She said prayer throughout the day and with her patients, when they allow it, "keeps (her) sane." Since then, the Mendez fam- ily have been "doing what they can" and have taken food to a nursing home and another hospital. Steve
MASKS
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Arnold Palmer pediatric pulmonologist Dr. Carlos Sabogal receives three bags filled with 80 goggles from the Bishop Moore Catholic High School science department following the request of a local commissioner. (COURTESY)
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wakes up before dawn to stock the supermarket to keep the commu- nity going. Reina recalled the "Haci- enda family" saying, "We all have to help each other." Raised in a devout Catholic fam- ily, she recalls her mother's words, When you do something, do it with all your heart." Thinking about all those in harm's way for the sake of others, Reina is reminded of Jesus, words in Matthew, "For I was hun- gry, and you gave me food. We need to practice it and we have the ability to do it, so why not do it with all your heart?" she said. The Mendezes have four chil- dren, two who attend Trinity Cath- olic High School and another is a student at Blessed Trinity Catholic School. The littliest one is still at home. The children sometimes help with deliveries, but since COVID-19, their roles have changed. Their freshman daughter explained these days she stays at home helping with her 3-year-old sister and 13-year-old brother who has asthma. Although I usually help my par- ents at La Hacienda, it has been nice to help my siblings stay home and away from germs," she said. "Pray- ing every night with my family has brought me closer to God, and I feel as though I'm helping the commu- nity by staying home, and I wish to encourage others to stay home as well." My parents are some of the most hardworking people I know," said their eldest son, a senior at Trin- ity Catholic. "They've taught me so much about life and how important it is to take care of others. By helping my parents, I'm able to help those in need, especially in this time. During quarantine, I've been restocking all the aisles to give essential products to those who need it. I've been wak- ing up early in the morning to stay away from large crowds and during the day I watch my siblings so my parents can work. This helps me grow as a Christian because I have more time to see our blessings and have a close relationship with God."
GOGGLES
On March 28, at 8:20 a.m., Tom Doyle, president of Bishop Moore Catholic School received a text from Orlando Commissioner Robert Stu- art requesting goggles for medical workers. The school offered an enthusias- tic "yes" to the call, and Scott Bro- gan, principal, got the ball rolling as he called on Mary Grady, one of their science teachers to "scrounge" for goggles at the campus. She and her fellow science teachers gathered three bags, filled with a total of 80 goggles. We have goggles and gloves," Doyle told Dr. Carlos Sabogal, di- rector of pediatric pulmonary medi- cine at Arnold Palmer Medical Cen- ter, and father of five Bishop Moore students, two who already gradu- ated. Grateful for the gift, he con- tacted another school parent and colleague, Dr. Jos Ramirez, at Ar- nold Palmer Hospital for Children's Orlando Health Emergency Depart- ment, to help with distribution. The emergency room doctor would later write Doyle and Grady saying, "The generosity of Bishop Moore Catholic High School in do- nating supplies as we are facing CO- VID is a testimony to your mission of service and caring. The goggles you provided will be put to good use in our hospital system. It is truly humbling knowing the support and concern you have shown to us. As healthcare providers, it encourages us to live up to our commitment in being here for you, our community and patients." Dr. Sabogal called the bountiful kindness "our Catholic community in action - all for one- (asking) what can I do for others." He noted this happens when you "let God work and use you to the full." It reminded me of St. James who said, "show me your faith without works, that through my works, I will show you my faith.' And this is what we need the most during this time of crisis, to help each other at many different levels." When asked how his faith sus- tained him through this crisis, he responded without hesitation. "It is all - my engine, my refuge and my courage that overcomes worries, problems and fear to keep going, to continue working and helping through our vocation, as God calls all of us. These days, I remembered many times St. John Paul II when he said his first words as a pope to the crowd in St. Peter's Square, 'Do not be afraid.' And then I say, 'I am here Lord for what you need me."
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My faith carries me through. We know what we have to do. This is the career we chose - to heal and help people overcome their worst days. At the same time it's painful for us to watch people suffer.'
- Sindi Martinez, a nurse at Ocala Regional Medical Center
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