Page 26 - Catholic Extension Magazine Summer2020

26 INSPIRE

Cover Story

WITH NO SALARY, PRIEST

WORKS TIRELESSLY

Pastor in San Juan he pandemic is community is feeling a sense of
dismisses his own requiring sacrifices despair.
In these times of social
from everyone,
needs to extend including priests in distancing, Father Carlos has
care to those Extension Dioceses adjusted his ministry. His new
who are hurting T who are already tool for evangelization and pasto-
stretched thin. ral care is “WhatsApp,” a plat-
Even in good times, Father Car- form that connects him directly
los Verdía Nay, does not collect a with parishioners through a daily
full salary for his duties as pastor group chat.
of a poor parish outside of San Every morning, he reads them
Juan, Puerto Rico. the Gospel, shares a reflection to
But now, his meager weekly offer encouragement and hope,
salary of $300 is a sum that his and tells them how much he
parishioners simply cannot loves and misses them.
afford due to their unemploy- Recently, while his church
ment as a result of the pandemic. was empty, he told them, “In
Regardless of whether he this time of social distancing,
receives compensation or not, we hold strongly to our faith in
this joyful and humble pastor Jesus. These special moments
lovingly cares for his parishioners are given to us by Him. May this
daily. He is not worried about be an opportunity for all of us to
himself, but about the well-being feel closer to love, peace, and to
of those he serves. The Archdi- having hope that we will be bet-
ocese of San Juan has turned to ter people in the future, who will
Catholic Extension to support his value and respect each other.”
Father Carlos salary. With his own financial uncer-
Verdía Nay of Our His parish, Our Lady of the tainty, Father Carlos is deeply
Lady of Miraculous Miraculous Medal, in San Juan, empathetic to the plight of his
Medal in San Juan, Puerto Rico, is no stranger to parishioners. He works tirelessly
Puerto Rico, puts
the concerns of his suffering. In 2017, it was hit hard to lift their spirits and keep them
parishioners above by Hurricane Maria. Parishioners close to the Church as he shep-
his own. went for months without electric- herds them through this pan-
ity and running water. Catholic demic. They are grateful for his
Extension has supported their reassurance.
hurricane recovery.
Now, as the COVID-19 pan-
demic has spread, things are even
more difficult, with many peo-
ple losing their jobs, confronting
huge economic instability and
facing food shortages. His whole