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ORLANDO Catholic Chari- ties of Central Florida continues its legacy of caring for migrants and refugees by the daily practice of welcoming, protecting, promot- ing and integrating" them into the American way of life. Pope Francis devoted this mes- sage marking the 106th anniver- sary of World Day of Migrants and Refugees, Sept. 27, to the care of persons forcibly displaced within their own home country because of war, conflict, persecution and other threats. Honoring this year's theme, "Like Jesus Christ, forced to flee," Catholic Charities embraces these children of God through programs that recognize Christ in each of them. Karla Rodriguez is part of that effort. When she was 2 years old, her parents and brother emigrat- ed from Nicaragua to the United States. It was 1985 and the San- dinista organization, which had overthrown the dictatorship of Anastasio Somoza, was training male children as soldiers. When her parents received a letter in- forming them they would be com- ing for their son, the family fled. They arrived in the U.S. not speak- ing the language and not knowing anyone. Now, an adult with a child of her own, Rodriguez "wanted to give back." As a first-generation graduate, she wanted to lessen the struggle for others. Growing up I had to do a lot of things on my own," she said. Rodriguez is part of the new Comprehensive Refugee Services Mentor Program, the result of a federal mandate to assist dis- placed youth. The new program compliments the refugee youth program, already in place at Cath- olic Charities. Maria Diez, youth mentor coach at Catholic Charities said the program is open to clients 15-24 years old. The idea is to help clients fig- ure out what they want to do after graduating from high school, learn about careers, colleges, technical institutes, scholarships and other resources available to them," she said. "Mentors also guide clients and give them tools to help them pursue their goals in the U.S." As Pope Francis states in his message, they seek to know in order to un- derstand, to collaborate in order to build up. Mentoring Maria Paula Polo Ramirez was an opportunity for Rodriguez to fulfill her desire. "As an immigrant, Maria Paula and I have different experiences be- cause she was much older and her immigration process was totally different from mine, but we have a lot to share," explained Rodriguez. I share the fear that my parents had for themselves and our liveli- hood." The two have in common that immigrant fear that you won't fit in, that you'll lose a part of your culture." Because her par- ents, like Ramirez's, did not speak English, she recalls feeling iso- lated and having to do a lot on her own. Ramirez says Rodriguez's help was "indispensable" to her. She re- lates to Rodriguez's story because,
Catholic Charities aids those who flee, like Jesus
after her family received several death threats, they fled to Ecua- dor. They remained there in a refu- gee program for several years until they moved to New York in 2018. They stayed with family, sharing one bedroom and a common liv- ing area. Her mother was pregnant and the strain induced premature labor. Ramirez's brother was born a month early, and due to compli- cations, suffers long-term disabili- ties. Ramirez recalls the difficulty her parents had, not understand- ing the system, unable to commu- nicate with doctors. Seeking distance from the trau- matic events, the family moved to central Florida where Catholic Charities helped them with resi- dency documents, to learn the language, and get culturally ac- climated. Ramirez took advantage of employment training at Catho- lic Charities, and when she was ready, an employment specialist drove her to her interview. Maria Diez helped her enroll in Orange Technical College in Orlando to learn English, but Ramirez found it was not challenging enough. Her mentor, Rodriguez, sought out an- other option and assisted with the complicated process of enrolling an international student at Valen- cia State College. On Sept. 28, she begins English for Academic Pur- poses - a program for speakers of other languages designed to bring English skills to a level that will help students be successful in col- lege courses. Karla (Rodriguez) has been a total blessing," said Ramirez. Ro- driguez also encouraged her pro- tge to take biomedical courses at Orange Technical College in prep- aration for the future. Ramirez would like to be a cardiothoracic surgeon. Inspired by the difficul- ties her younger brother suffered after birth, she wants to make a difference in the lives of others. With our experience when we ar- rived, I realized there was a need to offer humanitarian and medical help to immigrants," Ramirez said. She added Rodriguez's example of success inspires her to overcome her own obstacles. Realizing our Lord also fled she said, "I see Jesus as an example. One can think many things about others, but once you walk in some- one's shoes, you understand them better. I see what happened to (Je- sus) and in it I find hope-" Rodriguez says it's a win-win. Working with Ramirez, "helps me live out my faith because I want to leave the world better than I found it- It's important to have some- body there that gives you that drive to keep pushing."
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St. Catherine of Siena pro- life members, Knights of Columbus and ministers of the Sacred Heart of Jesus pray the Rosary of the Unborn Sept. 12, the National Day of Remembrance for Aborted Children. The day also marks the first anniversary of the blessing of the monument to the unborn built by members of the pro-life ministry. (COURTESY)
REMEMBERING THE UNBORN
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