  | ||
|
  The Family of the Year Award:The Santos Family A Family Devoted to the ICF For the Santos Family, members of Branch 28 in Gilroy, California, the Italian Catholic Federation has become a family affair. On March 17, 1975, Nancy and Frank Cisco, along with Margaret and Buss Walsh joined Branch 28. Nancy is the only surviving family member of the original group who joined and remains a member of Branch 28 today Kathy (Nancy's daughter) and Roger Santos joined the ICF in 2004, after the death of their son Mark. The rest of the family became members of Branch 28 in 2006, including Kathy's brother, Alfred. Kathy and Roger have one daughter, Leanne; son-in-law Leon Haywood; and two grandsons Beau (12) and Tim (11). Immediately upon joining Branch 28, the entire family began to have significant effects on the branch. They have supported every program offered by the Federation and in most cases have put themselves in positions of being chairs for different fundraisers held by the branch to support these ICF programs. The Santos Family has served in many capacities on the Board for Branch 28. Roger has served as Orator from 2005 and currently serves as Second Vice President (2009). Kathy took on the role of chair of the Cooley's Anemia Program within the branch in 2005. She has served as a Trustee (2006 and 2007) and currently holds the position of Treasurer (2009). Leanne has served as Sentinel (2007 and 2008). "It is very special to me to be part of the ICF," said Leanne Haywood-Santos. "We enjoy the meetings with friends and volunteering together to cook or serve for the breakfasts and various functions. Our ICF family has enriched and expanded our own family life and we are proud to be a part of it." Roger is the Chairman of the cooking crew for Branch 28's two semi-annual Scholarship Breakfast and Bake Sale Fundraisers. Leon and the boys also work in the kitchen as cooks, work serving people and handling setup. Roger invites the entire parish to attend these breakfasts by speaking after each Mass on the day the event is held. These breakfasts over the past two years have served an average of 320 people each time, way up from previous years. The branch attributes this to Roger's wonderful sense of humor and the way he connects with people. At the branch's annual Christmas party Leon and Leanne serve as "Mr. and Mrs. Claus." They even went so far as to purchase the appropriate clothing to accomplish this feat. In celebration of Branch 28's 75th anniversary, the party was held at the Santos home, with Roger building an altar for Mass out of wood he had acquired from one of the oldest buildings in Gilroy. "Roger and Kathy are examples of living out what it means to be Christian, to carry their Cross and continue participating fully in the life of the Church," said Sister Maria del Rey Perezchica, member of the Franciscan Sisters of the Atonement assigned at San Juan Bautista Convent. "Our parish and our youth especially benefited from their commitment and loving service." They serve their Parish as communion ministers, lectors, ushers and work on formation sessions for liturgical ministers. Roger and Kathy have served the Catholic community by taking communion to people who are unable to leave their homes, outreach to the local hospital, and work with youth groups at the Mission in San Juan Bautista and at our parish in Gilroy. "Because of their own experiences of God's love and healing in their lives, they have been called on, many times, to walk with other people in their personal struggles and faith journeys," said Sister Nancy Sargent, S.A. "They have truly opened themselves to be instruments of God's love and healing. In beautiful ways, God has touched many people through them." The entire Santos Family is involved in the life of St. Mary's Parish, with Beau and Tim standing right beside their parents and grandparents working as hard as they do. This family is a wonderful role model when it comes to understanding the importance of family and faith and how the two go hand in hand. "It is clear to me that the family works well together as a team and, in this way, they have supported one another in the good that they have accomplished individually," said Fr. Dan Derry, pastor at St. Mary's Parish in Gilroy. Beau takes pride in following in his grandfather's footsteps - he has learned how to cook pancakes for our scholarship breakfast. He works along side his Dad, Leon, from 6:30am until all the work is done, including cleanup. He never complains and always has a wonderful smile and happy face. Tim recently went through two years of growing out his hair so he could donate it to children suffering from cancer. He endured much teasing from friends and adults but preserved and this past February achieved his goal. Just like the rest of his family, Tim wanted no recognition for this accomplishment - he just went about it quietly knowing how much it would mean for someone sick to be given such a gift. Sister Sargent concluded: "I'm sure God has already named them: 'His good and faithful servants, in whom He is well pleased.' " Italian Catholic Federation, 8393 Capwell Drive, Suite 110, Oakland CA 94621 tel: 888/ICF-1924; 510/633-9058; fax: 510/633-9758; Email: info@icf.org Website designed by HYPERSPHERE |