ENCOUNTERING GOD: TWO STORIES

[Editor’s note: The Food Pantry at Holy Cross has become a center of action and grace in the community of Santa Cruz. Here are Jorge Savala and the Friday Crew at work. Following are Jorge and Isabel's stories - just two amongst many which exemplify God’s presence in their midst.]

ISABEL’S STORY

When the pandemic arrived and sent everyone into isolation, there was a unique sense of helplessness for those who find strength and inspiration in ministering to others. One of those people was Isabel Velasco, Holy Cross parishioner and volunteer at the Food Pantry. Because of some health issues with asthma, Isabel wasn’t able to be physically present which was a hardship. She missed the interaction with people, chatting with them, smiling and simply acknowledging them. She loved watching their facial expressions, seeing looks of self-worth transform their anxiety. In her words, “I feel that every act of love is a work of peace no matter how small.” But that had all changed on March 17th.

Isabel, sheltering at home, felt her heart breaking for the many more people showing up at the Food Pantry. In a few weeks the client load increased by 130-140%! She yearned to talk to them, help them with resources, or even offer rides to appointments, anything to feel she was helping with their suffering. Then, through prayer, she remembered an invitation earlier in the year to participate in the Wednesday Lectio Divina gatherings and decided to join them on Zoom. Now a regular participant, feeling “truly nourished by every member,” she considers the group part of her family. [Isabel is on the left side, three squares down]

Her prayer and sharing of scripture with others brought some peace….and soon, an answer! Isabel, a retired office manager and bilingual speaker, was invited along with others to help the Food Pantry clients reach out to other services, such as rental or legal assistance to prevent them from being evicted from their homes. It was exactly what she needed to do! She and others were each given a list of 24 phone numbers collected at the Food Pantry. Their task was to contact each person and, following a script, determine how their family was faring….what was going on, what pressures, issues the pandemic was bringing up. This, of course, was preceded by casual conversation to put them at ease and assure them it wasn’t a scam call. Some questions were: “Do you have school age children? Are you working? Are you able to keep up with your rent payments?”

The calls began on a Friday afternoon and were completed by Sunday afternoon. At the end, Isabel relates, she felt like “a social worker, a paralegal, a nurse or a referral service of some kind.” She continues: “My breath was taken away as I listened to all the needs everyone had. Immediately, I wished I could help each and everyone individually, to alleviate them of their sorrows and needs. I persevered and became more empowered to continue looking for resources for these community members.”

When asked about her greatest joy in this ministry, Isabel shared that she finds it in engaging with those affected by the pandemic and working on solutions to their needs….such as keeping them from being evicted from their homes. She has recently participated in meetings with five Santa Cruz Supervisors requesting their approval of 1.1 million dollars in their budget for rental assistance. To the relief of all, the budget was approved, and she and other volunteers will be helping clients apply for help.

As problems arise in the future for all who need help, there is the recognition that people like Isabel are there to provide assistance, assurance and love. They are God’s hands, ears and voices. As Isabel says, listening to stories and engaging with so many people about how Covid-19 has impacted their lives has “reenergized me to continue my commitment to those of greater need.” She and her fellow volunteers have been a gift to others. And Isabel, in her longing to be of service, has been given a precious gift by God.

[Other precious gifts: Isabel's family, especially her grandson Erik, and Aunt Maria, Uncle José and Cousin in Mexico.]

JORGE'S STORY

Jorge Savala’s life also exemplifies the grace of God working through human hearts and hands. But in Jorge’s case he wasn’t so much seeking God’s will as God catching his attention in dramatic fashion. It had started at an early age when Jorge almost died, not once or twice but five times. His father called those recoveries "miracles." But there was to be one more crisis, and one more miracle, and this was more recent - in January of this year.

Before that fateful day in January, life had been eventful and exciting, capped off on June 22, 2019 by his marriage to beautiful Hanalei. A devout Catholic, she was engaged in the church and looking forward to sharing her love of God in marriage. Jorge, who had fled the church some years earlier and described himself as "a rebel kind of Catholic," found Hanalei's faith persuasive. He began to attend Mass and even insisted that he study and be confirmed before their marriage. That's when he met Deacon Randy Pozos who told Jorge that he reminded him of St. Francis. And like Francis, things began stirring in Jorge's heart...and in his life. As an example, two days after his wedding, a former high school friend invited him to teach at Star of the Sea, and he eagerly agreed. He had led 500 children in Vacation Bible School in Florida some years before, was actively involved in youth violence prevention and COPA, so activism and engagement wasn't new - but this seemed more spirit-directed somehow. The lyrics of a song Hanalei sang with the Spanish choir touched him: "You are the Word of God, and the Word of God is alive, and the Word of God does not rest." He was obviously listening.

Life was good. He was doing well as Community Outreach Director of Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks where his responsibilities included creating community programs which would attract non-traditional park users and introduce them to the beauty that God created. Some of these programs included the annual Mole and Mariachi Festival which had grown in size and popularity. He also initiated Popup Picnics in the Park every Thursday through the summer. Then came January.

It started with abdominal pain which led to a trip to the hospital and the rather rare diagnosis of a perforated colon, followed by surgery. Jorge's response to all of this: "Really, God?" It wouldn't be till June that his body would return to normal. In the meantime, the pandemic had become a reality. In March he received a call from Phil Hodsdon asking for help at the Food Pantry. When the Director, Irene Lennox, had to shelter in place, Phil took over as the hands-on man in the running of the pantry. The needs were exploding, and Phil couldn't do it alone. It was another door opening for Jorge, a way for him to be engaged with others where there was great need. His quick answer: "Okay, God."

For Jorge it was about human connectivity and kindness. And food! It was about a new paradigm and a new reality focused on great need. He's proud of the work the Food Pantry is doing, the resources they're providing....fresh produce from local organic farms including Live Earth Farms and Lakeside Organics, plus a workshop for renters and landlords on September 3rd with 160 people in attendance. He participated in meetings with County Supervisors to discuss the allocation of 1.1 million dollars in funding for an Emergency Rental Assistance Program. [Applications for this assistance are due September 15th.]. And he enlisted the help of Watsonville Law Center to help people write letters to their landlords to avoid eviction.

For the future Jorge would like to be a full-time community organizer, helping with parish engagement and leadership development. He wants to create a sense of agency in the people, ownership of the process. Just as the original volunteer list for outreach grew from

14 to 40, Jorge envisions the process of community involvement growing beyond expectations. He is inspired by the story of Philip in the New Testament (Acts 8:26-40) who, guided by the Spirit, told the good news to the Ethiopian and then baptized him. When the "Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away," the Ethiopian saw him no more "and went on his way rejoicing." Jorge sees Philip as a model for someone who empowers others, helping them recognize and affirm their gifts, and going on their way rejoicing!

We can all rejoice in the gifts God is giving our community through the willingness, love, service and efforts of both Jorge and Isabel and all those like them. DEO GRATIAS!