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WWW.THEFLORIDACATHOLIC.ORG | March 29-April 11, 2019 | Volume 80, Number 10 ORLANDO DIOCESE PALM BEACH DIOCESE VENICE DIOCESE Young pilot aims high Rite of Election Mercy Nights for all This Lent, try to go without STEPHANIE CLARY was not worth feeding the former if Catholic News Service it meant compromising the latter. Through his commitment to fast- I used to think that fasting was ing, Jesus remained committed to worthless. I would find reasons to God’s will. excuse myself from the obligatory Today, our abstaining from eat- Lenten practice: low blood sugar, ing certain foods or buying certain anemia, etc. While true, these products can also help or hinder weren’t the reasons I wasn’t fasting. the will of God. I couldn’t understand how depriv- NBC’s popular sitcom “The ing myself of food made any differ- Good Place” recently highlighted ence in the world. the reality of how much we can Yes, the Lenten fast is coupled affect with one decision, such as with prayer and almsgiving, but I buying a tomato. Good intentions knew my prayers were heard and of eating healthy food and feeding my donations effective regardless one’s family can be thwarted by Women prepare donated food for clients at a food pantry. (COURTESY CATHOLIC SOCIAL SERVICES OF of how many calories I consumed. purchases’ adverse effects. THE MIAMI VALLEY | CNS) Since I didn’t think fasting mat- Regarding the tomato: Farm- tered, for years I didn’t do it. ing pesticides have a detrimental tomatoes other times. comes with resting in God. Increased mercy is Now, I realize that my obsti- effect, contaminating land via Selecting local, organic and fair- Due to a strategically timed Net- nance caused the forfeiture of op- rainwater and other environmen- trade options helps ensure that flix series release at the start of the always good, but the portunities for growth. Even worse, tal runoff; an underpaid, migrant creation -- human and nonhuman year, 2019 has seen individuals and Gospel suggests a it blocked connections with God in labor force is mistreated due to -- is affected positively by purchas- families enthralled by Marie Kon- spiritual practice and in solidarity high demand for cheap product; ing decisions that support sustain- do’s method of “Tidying Up.” Fasci- solution that can be with others. But, I didn’t go from fuel use and carbon emissions are able practices, fair pay and just nated by the level of intrigue about even more challenging, “not fasting” to “fasting” because increased by the need to transport treatment. In other words, it as- which I was hearing, I watched an of this realization. I was convinced out-of-season produce long dis- sures decisions are in accordance episode of the lifestyle show, only especially in our current to fast because of its tangible ef- tances using fuel-inefficient ve- with God’s will. to find that Kondo’s teachings were consumerist culture: fects on the world, and later real- hicles. Fasting from a consumerist nothing new. ized the change in me. When faced with this real- mentality that demands indul- Through a process of simplify- What if we choose to go The Lenten Gospel readings ity, what are we to do? “The Good gence in immediate, convenient ing what one owns and expressing mention Jesus fasting in the des- Place” resolves that we should be and inexpensive options has tan- gratitude for what is truly needed, without? ert (Lk 4:1-13). Lest we forget that more understanding and forgiving gible effects. It was this realization her clients experience order and in becoming fully human God in judgments of whether someone that led me to begin the practice of peace. While Kondo does not op- during Lent 2017 and found its ef- fully experienced human pains, is “good” or “bad.” Increased mercy fasting. In doing so, I learned how erate from a Christian perspective fects on me and the world to be so the Gospel emphasizes that this is always good, but the Gospel sug- this age-old faith practice leads to (at least not publicly), her instruc- significant that I’ve permanently fasting made him hungry (Lk 4:2)! gests a solution that can be even change of self as well. tion to go without excess and ex- adopted it into my lifestyle. Yet, he remained committed to more challenging, especially in Whether considering food or press gratitude for the necessary Declining bacon at brunch his promise to go without, which our current consumerist culture: material belongings, attention to is effective because, similar to the doesn’t always spark immediate drove the devil away (Lk 4:13). What if we choose to go without? the others affected by our decisions Gospel, it challenges the consum- joy in my heart (as Kondo’s method “One does not live by bread Going without doesn’t necessar- helps avoid the evil of selfish over- erist culture within which we find would require), but it ignites joy in alone,” Jesus explains, recognizing ily mean you cannot ever eat toma- consumption. It forces us to realize ourselves and asks practitioners to my soul as I'm reminded that I do that the immediate, convenient, toes again. Perhaps it means going that the “bread” of this world is not focus on something other than ac- not live by bread (or bacon) alone. worldly temptation the devil of- without tomatoes when they’re not all that we need. Through choos- cumulation -- joy. My choices to consume or fast have fered would indeed stop the rum- in season or going without toma- ing to go without, we can become I have abstained from eating lasting effects on this world, the blings of his stomach but would not toes sometimes so that you can pay more gracious for all that we truly meat for nearly two years now. I people who live in it and the king- calm the discontent of the soul. It for organically grown, fair-trade have and experience the peace that entered into this fast of abstinence dom of God. n WWW.THEFLORIDACATHOLIC.ORG | March 29-April 11, 2019 FLORIDACatholic ORLANDO DIOCESE Student flies into history books Trinity Catholic senior is second teen in Florida to receive FAA commercial pilot’s license GLENDA MEEKINS of the Florida Catholic staff OCALA | “I’ve always had a fascination with pretty much anything with a motor,” said Camp Clifford, the 18-year-old senior at Trinity Catholic High School in Ocala. He will be the second student in Florida history to re- ceive an FAA commercial pilot’s license while still in high school. The first to do so was Gid Townsend, more than 70 years ago, in 1948. “I started out really young (age 3) flying remote control planes,” Clifford said. “It was kind of always understood as I was growing up that I was going to get my pilot’s license. That’s how it started.” Born and raised in Ocala, both grandfa- Camp Clifford, seen above, is a senior at Trinity Catholic High School and will be the second high school student in Florida history thers are pilots and shared with him their to receive a commercial pilot's license. (PHOTO USED WITH PERMISSION | DOUG ENGLE, OCALA STAR BANNER) love of flying. Taking his first flight at age 7 with neigh- bor Laurie Yonge Jr., son of Florida’s famed ‘I’ve always loved being at the “Mr. Aviator,” Clifford flew as co-pilot. “I do controls of an airplane. Even an love aviation,” Clifford said. “That first flight on my seventh birthday gave me the aviation RC airplane or a real airplane. bug.” He continued to fly over the years in his grandfather, Dan Patrick (D.P.) Clifford’s ... I do believe this is definitely plane and logged 65 hours of flight time by God’s niche for me, that he the time of his enrollment at Trinity Catholic High School in Ocala. picked out. It’s probably his The dual enrollment Embry-Riddle Aero- plan for me so I’m going to nautical University program came to Trinity Catholic in January 2016, his freshman year, stick to it.’ thanks to John Edsall, an adjunct professor at the university and teacher at Trinity Cath- — Camp Clifford olic. The program is through the university’s Gaetz Aerospace Institute. Edsall sought to implement the program for eight years. reminded him of a study done in the 1970s “When I finally turned it over to God, he led by the U.S. Navy on demographics shared me to Trinity Catholic,” Edsall said. After by pilots who were successful in their flight meeting with then-president David McKen- training program and Naval careers. zie and Lou Pereira (principal), Edsall said “(Clifford) displayed several of the com- the two “couldn’t wait to get started.” mon indicators of a successful career pilot “They had both been praying for a STEM — first born, earliest vivid memory of air- Camp Clifford takes flight for the first time as co-pilot to Laurie Yonge Jr. on his 7th program like mine to add to the curricu- craft between the ages of 3-9, early driving birthday. (COURTESY) lum,” Edsall recalled. “I give God the glory experiences (prior to age 13),” Edsall said. “I for this program and leading students like was convinced he could be successful if he pilot’s license was pushed back to April 4 at In his leisure time, Clifford dreams of fly- (Clifford) to seek me out. I have been blessed was encouraged and the door was opened to Ocala International Aviation Flight School.