Observing Ariston Xourafas and his army of Fifth Form assistants this week work together to sell the Christmas glasses the quotation above entered my head. Allowing the boys, the space, time and confidence to pursue an idea that makes a difference is something that will always be part of our Spiritan history and ethos in Willow. We only must look at the work of Sir Bob Geldof, Eamonn deValera and Father Pat Clarke to witness our ethos in action throughout history.
Father Pat Clarke works closely with the street children of Sao Paulo and uses Sport and the Arts to empower the adults and children to change their environment for the better. After more than four decades working with some of the poorest people in the southern hemisphere’s biggest city it seems every resident in Vila Prudente knows the man they call “Pa-tree-key”.
Ask residents what he has done to win such affection and some will cite the local cultural centre, others the rural retreat where local kids often enjoy their first encounter with nature or perhaps the community’s creche that now looks after 150 children while their parents spend long hours working for extremely low pay. He was instrumental in setting up all of them, often with the help of donations from back home.
Many of these donations have come from Mr. Christy McDaid and the Willow Wheelers and it was lovely to speak to Christy during the week and witness his own excitement and joy at the honour now being bestowed on Father Pat Clarke. As a Spiritan community we will look on with pride on Thursday the 21st Of November when Pat will be presented with the Presidential Distinguished Service Award for the Irish Abroad from President Michael D Higgins. Thank you, Father, for providing all of us in Willow with the fantastic example of committed, generous and heroic actions as a part of everyday life in Vila Prudente.
Please see a clip from YouTube as Father Pat Clarke talks about his work.