By Catholic Stewardship Consultants
www.CatholicSteward.com
The Garcia family is seven members strong, but it grows even larger when it includes fellow parishioners at St. Anthony of Padua Church and St. John Vianney Church, both in Kailua.
As such, the Garcias feel called to get involved.
“We all participate in our family life, so we are involved in our parish because our parish is also our family,” said mom Charmaine.
Charmaine and Francisco, who also goes by Javier, have five children — Ryan, Marianne and Sofia, who no longer live at home, and younger siblings Paul and Gianna.
The entire family is involved in parish life, but the No. 1 area of involvement is through Catholic scouting.
Francisco is the committee chair of Troop 311 at Le Jardin Academy in Kailua. Charmaine is chairperson of the Diocese of Honolulu’s Catholic Committee on Scouting. Marianne and Sofia are scouts in American Heritage Girls; Francisco, Ryan, Sofia and Paul are Eagle Scouts; and Gianna is involved with Scouts USA.
“The scouting program provides young people with opportunities for leadership, duty to country, taking care of their own health and wellbeing, and most importantly, their duty to God,” Francisco said.
“Catholic Scouting is a beautiful blend of faith and formation,” Sofia said. “It helps create well-rounded citizens and stewards of their community and country while firmly rooted in Catholic values.”
“Scouting and my faith are intertwined,” said Ryan, who credits scouting for helping him stay involved in his mainland parish. “The experience helped me to think on my own, and not to be afraid of what God is calling me to do. I have also learned that our amazing Catholic faith goes beyond the walls of our parish.”
In addition to scouting, Francisco cooks gumbo for Mardi Gras each year. Charmaine is involved in prison ministry and the Spiritual Moms Apostolate, and serves as a teacher in the Holy Family Catholic Homeschool ministry. The older three are all involved in their parishes, and Paul and Gianna are cantors and lectors.
“Ever since I can remember, my mom has instilled in us the value of service, giving our time and talents for the greater glory of God,” Sofia said. “Our gifts from God are meant to be used, cultivated and given away. That lesson has shaped how our family approaches parish life and community involvement.”
Charmaine believes scouting has had a significant impact on the Garcia family.
“Our whole family is involved, and the whole family supports each other,” she said. “It gets us outdoors and camping. It gets us out helping others as others have helped us.”
St. Anthony Church is also key to the Garcia family. Truly, the parish is their family.
“The parish feels like an extended family, where faith is lived and shared,” Sofia said.
Above: Everyone in the Garcia family is involved with scouting, whether as a scout or at the administrative level. (Courtesy Catholic Stewardship Consultants)