I am happy to share with you excerpts of the testimonial from scholarship recipient parent, Shirley D’Souza at the 2019 Futures in Education Scholarship Dinner, held this past Tuesday.
-Monsignor Jamie Gigantiello
As told by Shirley D’Souza
SPONSORED CONTENT – “My husband and I came to the United States in 2014 from Pakistan with our four children to seek refuge and safety. We had no friends here, no family and no home. We lived in an attic and then had to move to a basement. I then worked in a laundromat and my husband washed cars. It was depressing, heartbreaking to see my kids uprooted and brought to an alien country, but I believed that God had guided us out from there safely; He has never abandoned us before and I knew He never will.”
“One day my husband and I were scouting the area for a Catholic school and a parish to join. We passed this beautiful church, St. Mary Gate of Heaven in Ozone Park. I still remember upon entering the school a sense of warmth came over me, like we were finally home. Although I loved the school and always wanted my sons to get a good Catholic education like my husband, myself, our daughters, our parents and grandparents too, I was reluctant because I knew we would not be able to afford the tuition. The Principal told me about Futures in Education. My prayers were answered as my boys received financial assistance to help ease the stress of paying their tuition.”
“St. Mary Gate of Heaven has provided a safe, consistent, stable and loving environment for my boys to learn and grow. Daryus was elected “Student of the Month” and is following his brother’s footsteps to be a boy scout and altar server. In 3rd grade Daryus participated in the annual Wax Museum where the children were asked to research any famous personality who had made a positive effect on them. Daryus chose Pope Francis! He dressed like the Holy Father and spoke about the importance of humanity, being humble, about the importance of prayers in families and forgiveness to those who have wronged you. I know deep down in my heart that it was only because of the inspiration he received by observing and interacting with the priests, his teachers, the principal and even the janitorial staff and lunch mothers, who have always displayed these traits. The most valuable part of being in the Catholic School community is learning from the example of others living their faith.”
“As an Alien in this country, with low income, no close family and the burden of supporting a family of six, YOU Angels of Futures in Education are life savers. I appreciate all that you have done and strongly believe that Futures Angel donors have been sent to us by God. Because of your selfless generosity, you have made it possible for my children to build Catholic foundations that we parents alone could not provide.”
