Page 32 - Catholic Extension Magazine Winter 2019

32 INSPIRE

Lumen Christi Finalist

RIGHT The Santa Monica Angels
have a wholistic approach to serving
the children of their poor parish.
BELOW Serving hot meals to hungry
students before religion class is one of
their outreach ministries.

SANTA MONICA ANGELS | DIOCESE OF LAREDO, TEXAS
Feeding hungry children: body and spirit

t all started when the chil- sion in El Cenizo, a remote town And with this simple, yet pro-
dren in María Jaime’s reli- in southern Texas on the banks of found act of love, along with tacos,
gious education class would the Rio Grande River in the Dio- cookies and juice, the Santa Mon-
show up on Saturdays and cese of Laredo. ica Angels program was born.
ask, “Do you have food?” Her students are mostly the Mrs. Jaime, Angélica Cantú,
I And with good reason. Their children of local families who Rosa Dávila, Martha Arroyo and
last meal had been the previous struggle financially. Jaime knew Norma Losoya comprise the
day, Friday at school. that when students are hungry, lit- Santa Monica Angels. In their
For 10 years, Jaime has been tle else matters, especially learn- boundless love and energy,
teaching religious education every ing. So, she and other volunteer they provide spiritual and phys-
Saturday at Santa Monica Mis- teachers decided to take mat- ical nourishment to 60 children
ters into their own hands, prepar- weekly.
ing food for their students to enjoy
before class.