Page 32 - Catholic Extension Magazine Summer2020
P. 32
32 INSPIRE
Cover Story | Reflection
Father Melvin
Díaz Aponte
surveys the
damage to
his church,
Immaculate
Conception in
Guayanilla, after
the January
earthquakes.
BRINGING HOPE AFTER EARTHQUAKES
In his own words, Puerto Rican pastor inspires I ask, “Why is everything, or
amidst a natural disaster and the coronavirus almost everything, paralyzed due
to the coronavirus? Why is our
am Father Melvin Díaz We witnessed our beloved daily activity interrupted?”
Aponte, a Puerto Rican church collapse. I believe everything happens for
priest from the Diocese of Soon after, among the many the good of those who love God.
Ponce. people who approached me, was a Nothing escapes the loving provi-
I am pastor of Immac- boy who is a student from our par- dence of God.
I Conception Parish, a ish school. He was bewildered by “Why is everything paralyzed as
ulate
faith community that experienced the devastation. a result of the coronavirus emer-
large earthquakes this past January He asked a question that I didn’t gency?” My answer is this: So that
in this region. expect: “Father, why is the church you and I can be awakened. So
on the ground?” that you and I can once and for all
For a quarter century, Catholic I was startled by his question, awaken from our dormant faith.
Extension has funded historic which had a deeper meaning, and And encouraged by our faith,
Immaculate Conception Church responded, “So that you and I can we can rekindle charity. We can
in Guayanilla—built in 1841— lift it up.” rekindle the love of God and for
with church repairs and par- Now, shortly after returning to God so that we may love others—
ish subsidies, and recently pro- the normal rhythms of life, once our brothers and sisters.
vided support after the January again our daily life is interrupted Under the protection of the
2020 earthquakes. by this coronavirus. Immaculate Conception, may God
And during these days, that boy’s continue to bless us.
question comes again to my mind.