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FLORIDAWWW.THEFLORIDACATHOLIC.ORG | July 2019 Catholic MIAMI ARCHDIOCESE Remembering when ‘the Eagle landed’ Astronomy-loving priest shares memories, reflects on meaning of Apollo 11 anniversary CRISTINA CABRERA JARRO Florida Catholic correspondent MIAMI | Jesuit Father Pedro Cartaya remembers shaking hands with astronaut Neil Armstrong. On Aug. 5, 1969, the priest was in New York City, among the crowd waiting to see the parade for the Apollo 11 astronauts. As the vehicle with the astronauts came by, Fa- ther Cartaya was fortunate enough to quickly shake hands with the first human to walk on the moon. He told Armstrong, “Great job! God bless you.” On July 20, the world marks the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11, the mission which allowed mankind Photographs of the moon and stars taken by Belen Jesuit Prep to walk on the moon for the first students are on display at the school’s observatory, the only high time in history. school observatory in South Florida. “Armstrong stepped on the moon, leaving forever his footprint Apollo 11 was revealed: Astronaut Concerned about the separa- as a symbol of what he did. It was Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin had received tion of church and state, NASA re- thrilling,” said Father Cartaya, an communion in space. frained from sharing the moment astronomy enthusiast who serves “Can you imagine that for the with the public. Aldrin revealed it as spiritual counselor and chap- first time that man stepped onto years later. lain to Belen Jesuit Prep’s Alumni the moon, the Eucharist was also Association. consumed for the first time outside GOD IN SPACE He was 33, teaching and study- of Earth?” Father Cartaya noted. He was neither the first nor the ing for his doctorate in literature Aldrin, with permission from last astronaut to remember God in at the University of St. Louis, Mis- his pastor at Webster Presbyte- space. souri, when he tuned in, along with rian Church in Texas, had brought The crew of Apollo 8 read from millions around the globe, to wit- bread and wine with him on the the Book of Genesis on Christmas ness the moon landing. He remem- mission. About an hour before Day 1968, when they became the bers watching the broadcast on a stepping onto the moon, he re- first humans to orbit the moon. small, black-and-white TV. When called in his memoirs, he read a Two weeks after Easter 1994, Cath- Armstrong announced, “The Eagle passage from Scripture, drank the olic astronauts Thomas Jones, Sid has landed,” Father Cartaya could wine and ate the bread. Gutierrez, and Kevin Chilton — barely contain his excitement. “For me, as a priest, it was twice the latter an extraordinary minis- “I got so emotional that in the as emotional to know that the first ter of holy Communion — received parish where I was staying, I was communion took place outside of the Eucharist on board the space about to ring the bells, announcing Earth on the same day that man shuttle Endeavor. Israeli astronaut to the world that for the first time stepped on the moon. I am grate- Ilan Ramon reportedly recited the in history mankind had achieved ful to God for the talent that he has Kiddush, the Sabbath blessing for Jesuit Father Pedro Cartaya describes the attributes of Belen Jesuit something that seemed impos- given to mankind and for the grace wine, on his last Friday aboard the Prep’s observatory in Miami while standing next to the telescope. sible, touching something celestial that Christ also needed to be pres- space shuttle Columbia. (He and Belen is the only school in the United States equipped with a 16” outside of Earth,” he said. ent outside of the Earth,” said Fa- telescope with a CCD (digital) camera for astrophotography. (PHOTOS Years later, another first from ther Cartaya. PLEASE SEE MOON, 5 BY ANA RODRIGUEZ-SOTO | FC) INSIDE OUR SPECIAL SECTION Farewell, Bishop Peter Baldacchino • Bishop Baldacchino’s • Timeline of his life, • Biography of Bishop parishioners at St. Kieran Pages 18 Baldacchino, Page 17 bid him farewell, with sadness and a firetruck • Explanation of his coat • Las Cruces: a diocese Page 11 of arms, Page A14 both old and new, Page 12 2 YOUR MIAMI COMMUNITY Florida Catholic July 2019 ‘A very good place’ for the elderly Catholic Charities’ day care centers for seniors address a growing need in South Florida LINDA REEVES Florida Catholic correspondent DAVIE | Three years ago, Wil- liam Rojas, a parishioner at All Saints in Sunrise, faced what he considered perhaps the great- est challenge of his life when his Thomas Towsley enjoys a game of fruit bingo, a creative spin on the Nery Padilla keeps busy working on decorations for a Mother’s Day 82-year-old mother with Alzheim- classic bingo. The game is frequently played at the adult day care party. She is a client at Centro Oeste Adult Day Care Center where er’s came from Colombia to live center in Davie operated by Catholic Charities to get clients involved arts and crafts are encouraged. The center is one of three operated with him. and challenged. (PHOTOS BY LINDA REEVES | FC) by Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Miami. “When she came here, she was lost,” Rojas said. “She didn’t know She has gone back to talking and turing environment. how to speak English. She didn’t socializing.” Iani Carvalho is regional direc- know how to socialize with people. Catholic Charities Centro Oeste, tor of elderly services for Catholic I work, and she can’t be left alone by where Vidal spends her days, is Bro- Charities. She said that 70% of the herself.” ward County’s first Hispanic adult centers’ clients are over the age of Rojas was in a dilemma, but he day care center, celebrating 15 years 80, but the centers are designed for felt called as a son to take care of his of service to the community and all adults and seniors regardless of vulnerable mother, who had cared families. Tucked away in a small age, income or situation. Many of for him as a child. He wanted to shopping mall at 6915 Stirling Road the clients are frail, some have cog- keep an eye on her in his home as in Davie, across the street from St. nitive challenges and others have she adjusted to American life and as Bernadette Church and School, the physical restrictions and need as- her incurable illness continued to center offers programs in Spanish. sistance. develop. He didn’t want to place her Next door is Central West Adult The three centers open at 7:30 in a nursing home among strangers, Day Care Center, also directed by a.m. and have certified nursing pro- where she might become more lost Catholic Charities. Wilton Manors fessionals on duty. They keep an eye and isolated. Adult Day Care Center, located at on clients and monitor their blood Rojas turned to Catholic Chari- 1503 N.E. 26 St. in Wilton Manors, pressure, weight and health condi- ties of the Archdiocese of Miami is the charity’s third licensed adult tions, making sure they take any for help, and the charity welcomed day care facility. required medications. The nurse is Evelyn Pierre-Louis, a certified nursing assistant, takes Theresa both him and Ruth Vidal, now cel- The centers, which currently also there for caregivers, to answer Zarzycki’s blood pressure, a routine practice at Catholic Charities ebrating her 85th birthday. “I was have openings, provide mental and any questions they may have about adult daycare centers, making sure their clients are healthy and in looking for a place where she would physical stimulation for seniors, their loved one. top condition. Zarzycki is a client of Central West Adult Day Care be safe,” he said. “I was looking for a allowing them to spend time with Breakfast, lunch and a snack are Center in Davie. place where she could adapt to her people their own age, talk, interact provided at the centers through situation. I see a big change in her. and enjoy activities in a safe, nur- the Meals on Wheels South Florida Clara Chavarri as she dropped off they become hopeless.” program. The menus are planned her mother, Maria Soto, 94, at Cen- “Sometimes we see them strug- by dietitians and aimed at offering tro Oeste. “She can’t be left alone. gling,” Carvalho said. “We provide a healthy, nutritious meal. Activi- This center is safe. My mother has the caregiver with a lot of guid- ties are scheduled after breakfast to made friends. It is really a good ance and the information that they keep everyone active, moving and place for her.” need.” involved. The day ends with a so- The centers provide a newslet- cial hour at 3 p.m. and doors close ter for clients and their caregivers, 40 MILLION at 5 p.m. educational programs and resource According to statistics provided materials addressing any needs and by the American Association of LIVELY, ACTIVE services. Retired Persons (AARP), 40 million The day the Florida Catholic vis- “We are also serving the care- Americans provide unpaid help to ited, over 40 people were participat- givers, so they can work,” said Car- loved ones. These numbers are ex- ing at Centro Oeste and about 15 cli- valho, referring to an important pected to increase in coming years. ents were at Central West next door. aspect of the program. The centers The association also reports that Both groups were lively and active. also provide respite care to give a 10,000 people a day turn 65.

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