October 21, 2011
2011 Bruté Society members
Diaz family continues family traditions in southern Indiana
Oliva and Clementino Diaz pose with their children, Sarah, Jessica, Andrea and Diana. (Message photo courtesy Abraham Brown) Click for a larger version.
By MARY ANN HUGHES (Message staff writer)
It’s about 2,000 miles from the city of Tasco in the Mexican state of Guerrero to Newburgh, Ind. That’s a long way, and when Clementino and Oliva Diaz came to southern Indiana years ago, they had to pack lightly.
The one thing they brought with them was their Catholic tradition which they are passing down to their four children. Part of that tradition is devout service to their parish.
That’s why they’ve been chosen by their fellow parishioners at Nativity Church in Evansville to become 2011 members of the diocesan Bruté Society. (Related: Bishop Thompson will induct new Bruté members Oct. 30)
Clementino arrived here about 13 years ago. He followed his brother and a few friends, and found work in a restaurant. Oliva arrived two years later.
They were both raised Catholic, and talk of rosaries, the Legion of Mary and Our Lady of Guadalupe feast days as they remember their childhoods.
After they arrived in southern Indiana, they heard about Mass being celebrated in Spanish in Dale. That was where they attended, until Mass was offered in Spanish in Evansville.
“At the beginning,” Clemen-tino said, “we used to come to Mass. Then we started as lectors and gift bearers.” When they noticed that the choir was small, the entire family became members.
Oliva is a member of the “heavenly dusters” who clean the church, and the mom’s group; Clementino is active in the Men’s Club.
When their pastor, Father Henry Kuykendall, suggested having a garden patch which the youth could maintain, Clementino took on the project.
Abraham Brown, pastoral associate and director of Centro Latino Juan Diego, said, “He started the community garden,” putting in over 300 vegetable plants including 150 tomatoes, 50 pepper plants and zucchini, cantaloupes and onions.
Most of the produce was given to the poor, but it was also available for parishioners to take home.
The couple agrees that it’s important to pass on their religion to their children “so it continues to be alive.”
Clementino said, “I love to work in the community,” adding that his father taught him to “work in the community and in our church. That’s what my parents passed on to me. That’s what I would like to do with our children. Pass on the tradition.”
Oliva agrees. “I learned from my dad,” she said, “about Mass every Sunday.” He goes to Bible study on Mondays, and “he shared that excitement with me, Bible passages he loved. I like that. I like sharing that with my children too.”
She believes that “sometimes parents teach us to do things. It’s important to continue our traditions.”
Clementino adds, “When you are a young age, you don’t see the importance of the Church and traditions, but you grow, and you realize it’s important to be faithful and part of your religion.”
Oliva smiles as her husband talks about receiving the news that they were going to become members of the Bruté Society. He said, “We heard of people who were recognized before,” adding that they both feel “very honored to be considered for this.”
They both agree that the honor “causes a lot of happiness,” and “renews their commitment to be good ministers in the parish.”