By Marlene Quaroni - Florida Catholic

Photography: MARLENE QUARONI | FC

MIAMI GARDENS | The recipients of St. Thomas University’s inaugural Ministry Awards represented different organizations and groups in the Archdiocese of Miami, but they had one thing in common: They “profoundly shaped and enriched our Catholic community,” according to the university.

The Nov. 29, 2023, awards and dinner celebration aimed to “honor their impact” and inspire others to engage in similar efforts. Father Rafael Capó, STU’s vice president of Mission, presented the awards.

“We are sponsoring a dormitory chapel here at STU,” said Freddy Talavera, Grand Knight of Knights of Columbus Council 4772, whose group received the Excellence in Service Award. “In addition, we are trying to start a Knights of Columbus STU student council. We have four students so far. We need 20 to start a council.”

The Knights from Our Lady of the Lakes Church in Miami Lakes perform many acts of service in the community, among them supporting His House, a faith-based non-profit foster home for undocumented children and state foster children.

“Some STU students are studying social work, and helping at His House would be a good learning experience for them,” said Talavera. “It’s a perfect fit for students.”

Two STU students — Dylan Francisco and Claudia Danger — received Campus Ministry awards.

“I helped start a Catholic Leadership Household in one of STU’s dormitories in 2020, my freshman year,” said Francisco, a senior majoring in sports administration. “We have a chapel in the dorm. We promote faith-based events on campus and eucharistic adoration and go to Mass together. Claudia mostly works with Hispanic students. I do x and she does y.”

Francisco leads the campus Alpha group, a multi-week tool aimed at inspiring Catholic renewal by motivating people to answer the call to a new evangelization, to Christ and his Church. Last June, Francisco, law student Roseann Nelan, and an STU staff member traveled to Washington, D.C., to speak to Florida’s senators and two representatives about Catholic Relief Services and the need to continue funding for foreign aid.

Francisco also coordinates “needy love over leftovers,” which brings leftover STU cafeteria food to Camillus House and the Missionaries of Charity, both of whom serve the homeless in Miami. He also led a catechesis group at World Youth Day.

Father Capó gave the Pastoral de Conjunto Award (group pastoral ministry) to Olga Villar, executive director of the Southeast Pastoral Institute, better known asSEPI, and the Southeast Regional Office for Hispanic ministry, the organization of the U.S. bishops that coordinates and supports Hispanic ministry in the 30 dioceses of the southeastern U.S.

“Olga has helped establish more than 600 Hispanic communities in the southeast U.S., organized Hispanic pastoral ministry in each of the 30 dioceses of the region and offered formation at the pastoral level and academic master’s level,” Father Capó said.

He presented the Apostolic Family award to the Gomez family, honoring them as “a seed for fruits of holiness and beacons of evangelization.”

“The Gomez family, from its origins in Cuba to its commitment in Miami, has become a beacon of faith, a cradle of vocations and a powerhouse of mission and service to Church and society,” said Father Capó. He noted that, in addition to their constant involvement and leadership in church ministries, one member of the family is a Daughter of Charity and another an archdiocesan priest, Father Matthew Gomez, who serves as vocations director.

The Catholic Youth Ministry Award went to Emily Lantigua of Encuentros Juveniles, which started in 1973 in the archdiocese.

“We celebrate Encuentros Juveniles’ unwavering dedication, inspiring leadership, and profound impact on the lives of countless young individuals in Miami,” said Father Capó. “We extend a heartfelt invitation to all young souls seeking the path to Christ to join this incredible movement, where the journey of faith becomes a transforming experience.”

Juan José Rodriguez, a neurologist, received a Legacy in Ministry Award for his “longstanding and exceptional dedication, unwavering commitment and profound impact in the realm of Hispanic youth ministry.”

“Since 1995 he served as the regional coordinator of SEPI for Hispanic Youth Ministry,” said Father Capó. “His commitment for Hispanic youth has built bridges between Latin America and U.S. Hispanic youth ministry.”

Father Capó gave the New Evangelization Award to Gustavo Mejia and One Body Spirit Mind, a project dedicated to global Hispanic evangelization based on St. John Paul’s II Theology of the Body.

“He is a seasoned mental health counselor aiding at-risk youth in eleven schools through Chrysalis Health,” said Father Capó.

The Music Ministry Award went to Lilly Sanchez Quintana, director of the Christidentiteenschorus, for her leadership and dedication to music ministry. The musical group performed three songs at the event.

“Christidentiteens has exemplified service and peace through their Christian music,” said Father Capó. Comprising 22 singers and a full band, “this Catholic choir has uplifted communities.”

A Eucharistic Missionary Award went to Mother Adela Galindo, who in 1990 founded a religious community, the Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary. Sister Rachel Mariana received the award for Mother Galindo, who was out of town.

“All of their Marian apostolic activity is born from a deep eucharistic-centered life and from a formation deeply rooted in the Magisterium, the Church’s authority, to give authentic interpretation of the word of God,” said Father Capó.