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How do we connect with the people we serve?
Raimundo “Ray” Ribeiro, SVD
The question, “How do we connect with the people we serve?” has continued to weigh on my heart as I search for meaningful ways to remain in communion with the families of my parish. Since arriving at Saint Rose of Lima Parish in Milton, FL, I have felt a strong desire to be closer to the Hispanic families who contribute so much to our community. In response to this need, I began visiting the families. From the start, I knew these visits could not be overly formal — they needed a more personal and heartfelt touch. With that in mind, we introduced the practice of having the Pilgrim Virgin visit the families.
Since September 2025, an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe has been making its way from one Hispanic family’s home to another. Each Sunday during Mass, a family passes the image on, and the following Sunday it is returned so it can be entrusted to a new household. While the image stays with a family throughout the week, I visit them for a day. We pray, share a meal, and speak about our faith, our aspirations, and our hopes. With the Pilgrim Virgin as my companion, I have already visited more than 18 families.
During December, as we celebrated the feasts of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Christmas, and the New Year, we temporarily paused our visits with plans to resume in January. In every respect, this experience has been deeply enriching. The visits have created channels of encounter: between the priest and the community; the community and the families; the families and prayer; prayer and daily life; and daily life and hope.
Just as Mary visited Elizabeth, and just as her Son, the Divine Word, came to dwell among us, we too strive to draw nearer to those we serve in concrete ways — especially during this uncertain time for immigrants in our country.
Looking ahead, I remain hopeful that these visits will continue to strengthen relationships, build trust, and nurture faith within our community. With the guidance of the Divine Word and the loving presence of Our Lady of Guadalupe, we embrace the future with confidence and renewed missionary zeal.
