Insights: Why I Give Back
(This article first appeared in the Belen Jesuit President's Report, 2019-20 edition)
When asked to write about why I give back to Belen Jesuit, I harken back to when my late wife and I moved to Miami in 2006. We desired to find a school that could balance our Catholic faith, our expectations for academic excellence, and a place where our son, Ian, would feel comforted and supported. We found these attributes in Belen and have found that the school has given back so much to our family that it would only be natural to return the blessing and to give back to Belen.
When asked to write about why I give back to Belen Jesuit, I harken back to when my late wife and I moved to Miami in 2006. We desired to find a school that could balance our Catholic faith, our expectations for academic excellence, and a place where our son, Ian, would feel comforted and supported. We found these attributes in Belen and have found that the school has given back so much to our family that it would only be natural to return the blessing and to give back to Belen.
When we moved to Miami from Charlotte, North Carolina, we had no connection to any schools and limited knowledge of Belen. Our initial exposure was primarily through parish family friends whose sons already attended Belen. Our experience with many other schools was that we were confident in the academic standards and/or a feeling of comfort and/or the religious aspect, but never all three. When it came time to identify a middle school, Belen was the clear choice for us.
In 2017, my wife passed from her battle with intestinal cancer. I distinctly recall the caravan of buses with young men, one after the other, in their gala uniforms filing into Epiphany Catholic Church, led by the former Dean of Men, Mr. Thomas De Quesada, to attend the funeral mass that was concelebrated by Father Willie. It left an indelible mark on my entire family, from the island Republic of Trinidad to the 10,000 Lakes of Minnesota. It was a true demonstration of Ignatian values and of Belen’s motto of “Men for Others.” It was a clear demonstration of that
comfort and support we aspired to find.
Now serving as a member of Belen’s Board of Advisors, I am proud to contribute to the evolution of this glorious institution through thoughts, opinions, and actions. I am excited to assist in the promotion of the school to underrepresented areas of Greater Miami helping others to navigate to the light, which is Belen. I am proud that the school maintains an open perspective regarding its future and how more can benefit from the Ignatian tradition
of faith and study and through the fraternal bond that is unique to Belen.
This world-class experience comes from the assistance of all whose lives have directly and indirectly benefited through their connection to Belen. It is our responsibility to help the school maintain its tradition of educating the leaders of tomorrow. Your generosity and contributions will enable this tradition to continue. Belen has truly been there for my family and I am certain it will continue to be there for yours.
May God bless and guide you through your support of Belen.
BELEN JESUIT PREPARATORY SCHOOL
500 SW 127th Avenue, Miami, FL 33184
phone: 305.223.8600 | fax: 305.227.2565 | email: communications@belenjesuit.org
500 SW 127th Avenue, Miami, FL 33184
phone: 305.223.8600 | fax: 305.227.2565 | email: communications@belenjesuit.org
Belen Jesuit Preparatory School was founded in 1854 in Havana, Cuba, by Queen Isabel II of Spain. The task of educating students was assigned to the priests and brothers of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits), whose teaching tradition is synonymous with academic excellence and spiritual discipline. In 1961, the new political regime of Cuba confiscated the school's property and expelled the Jesuit faculty. The School was re-established in Miami the same year, and over the next decade, continued to grow. Today, Belen Jesuit is situated on a 34-acre site in western Dade County, just minutes away from downtown Miami.