Meadow Hill

Saint Patrick’s honors the Delgado family

By Louise Haight
Posted 11/25/20

Thanksgiving, the first of our colorful holidays this season of the year is not going to be the typical, over the river and through the woods to grand-mother’s house we go, as we have normally …

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Meadow Hill

Saint Patrick’s honors the Delgado family

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Thanksgiving, the first of our colorful holidays this season of the year is not going to be the typical, over the river and through the woods to grand-mother’s house we go, as we have normally and enthusias-tically looked forward to, relaxing with family and catching up on all the happy gossip of our loved ones.  However, the coronavirus has stolen the show, and that means safely having a small dinner, with only the people who live in your household, and sadly, that is causing anxiety and possible depression for many of us.  We all are aware that traveling increases the risk of getting and spreading coronavirus, and we fervently pray, to be here next Thanksgiving to celebrate in style with loved ones.
Think about using your imagination and bring out your creative talents, and maybe start a new tradition and introduce it next Thanksgiving when we will be with everyone we love. 
In normal times, we always have Thanksgiving with our son, Stephan, and his family.  Years ago, my young creative granddaughter, Haley, taught us to make placemats from paper, and to write the word, “Gratitude” or draw a turkey in the center, and to surround it with words or drawings that say “thank you” for our gifts of family, health, love, and peace all year long.  Then we go around the table and share our blessings with each other.  
Best of all, if you laminate your placemat, you have a sweet reminder to see precious blessings all year long, even though our day will be touched by sadness.  We celebrate because our lives overflow with things for which we are thankful, and because God gives us the eyes to see how incredibly blessed we are.  If the weather is pleasant, wander outside after dinner and enjoy a little walk or hike, taking in the splendor of a lingering autumn. 

Our trials have made us stronger and have kept us focused on our loving God who has brought a light into our days of darkness, with His gift of faith, and with precious family and dear friends we have rediscovered, who are the real angels in our lives brightening our days in so many loving ways.  Remember, the first pilgrims who celebrated Thanksgiving were simply glad they had survived a dangerous ocean crossing in 1620, and had harvested enough corn to carry them through a brutal winter.  They were grateful, not for a blissful, pain-free experience, but for the presence of God in whatever circumstance they met.  
My wish is a beautiful and blessed Thanksgiving and a happy day of gratitude to you and yours at home.         

On November 15, Grand Knight Ray Lopez and Knights of Columbus, Msgr. Henry O’Carroll Council 444, had the honor of introducing the Delgado family as their October Family of the month, at St. Patrick’s Church in Newburgh.
Ana Irma Delgado, along with her family, wished to express her deep appreciation to the K of C for their participation and initiative in the awarding of recognition and distinction for her work in St. Patrick’s parish.
She also wanted to express her gratitude to all the priests, in particular the current pastor, Father Fernando Hernandez, and the entire St. Patrick’s community for their support and trust. Delgado stated, “I confess that the Lord called me to serve from a young age in my beloved Puerto Rico.  It has been and is a sublime vocation that, despite my limitations, I have tried to be faithful.  Thank you, my Lord.”

Her list of services rendered in the parish of St. Patrick’s, from her arrival in 1973 to the present: Leader of the Charismatic Prayer Group, Leader of the Cursillo de Christiandad Movement, Agent of the Prison and Hospital Apostolate, Catechist, RICA Coordinator for adults, Instructor in the PRECANA program, Extra Ordinary Minister of Communion, Collaborator in numerous activities and parish events.
Delgado explained, “The Christian home is the place where children receive the first proclamation of the faith.  That is why the family home is rightly called ‘Domestic Church,’ a community of grace and prayer, a school of human virtues and Christian charity.” (Catechism #1666)
Julio Delgado is Ana Irma’s husband, her partner in faith, who offered them a safe environment in the religion education programs, Prayer Group, special events of the parish, community, hospitals, PRECANA and Cursillistas.  Their children, Julio Jr. and Irma have received the teachings and examples of their parents in the mission to serve, especially, the communities where they have worked.  Julio Jr. is a police Captain in the NYPD, and Irma is a National Catastrophe Adjuster.  They have always been concerned with assisting the most disadvantaged, and they show a special sensitivity for those most in need.  Even Julio Jr.’s wife, Valerie, and their daughter, Olivia, have been known to help within their community in Westchester.
Ana Irma Delgado gladly shared her secret: “I accept in my heart and soul the words of Saint Paul, ‘Let us not tire of doing good, because in due time, the harvest will come, if we do not lose heart.’” (Galatians 6, 9)
May you always have an angel at your side.