Couples build South Florida Church through service, stewardship

By Priscilla A. Greear - Florida Catholic

Photography: MARLENE QUARONI | FC

MIAMI | Struggling through a major business challenge during the 2008 recession, Mike Ros made an executive decision: to rewrite his mission for life and commit himself to Christ.

After an epiphany, Ros attended an Emmaus men’s retreat and began to wholeheartedly seek God through prayer, Scripture study and Mass attendance. He reflected on his purpose in life and God’s will in every aspect of his life. “I realized I believed in God, but I didn’t trust in God,” he said. From that experience, he felt called to do whatever God asked of him, using his time and talents to serve others and the Church. “I started building my relationship with Jesus. By serving, I feel like I’m spreading the Good News and like I’m being part of the mystical body of Jesus, and I can help fulfill the mission here and bring more people to heaven, starting with my family,” he said.

Ros and his wife, Yolanda Ros, began serving at St. Mark Parish in Southwest Ranches in marriage preparation ministry nearly 20 years ago. Now, Ros is an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion and an Emmaus leader who encourages men in faith. As the owner of an automotive service business, he seeks to live his Catholic values both socially and professionally. “One of the reasons we’re focusing on marriage is I definitely think faith starts at home,” he said. In his business, he said, while consulting and training, “I have the opportunity to spread the Good News.”

The Roses were honored with a One in Hope Award at the annual Thanks-for-Giving Mass organized by the archdiocesan Development Office Nov. 22, 2025, at St. Mary Cathedral in Miami. The award honors those who bring hope by modeling stewardship of their time, talent and treasure, sharing their gifts sacrificially, justly and abundantly.

Archbishop Thomas Wenski presided at the annual Mass preceding Thanksgiving. The Pontifical Choir of the Archdiocese of Miami led congregants in traditional songs, from “Et Incarnatus Est” to “Crown Him with Many Crowns,” as incense deepened the spirit of reverence. In his homily, the archbishop expressed gratitude for congregants’ support of the Archbishop’s Charities & Development Drive, through which Catholics of South Florida are “One in Faith, One in Hope and One in Charity.”

“Your support remains critical; through the many works of tenderness, compassion and mercy made possible by you through the ABCD (Archbishop's Charities and Development campaign), you make present Christ’s kingdom,” he said.

The Mass was held on the solemnity of Christ the King, established by Pope Pius XI in 1925 during the rise of radical secular ideologies to remind the world that Jesus is the true ruler and judge.

After the Eucharist, honorees approached the altar to receive a silver plate in gratitude for their service. The other honorees were Robert and Melly Sanchez and Alicio and Nirma Piña.

The Mass also honored 2025 inductees into the Archbishop Coleman Carroll Legacy Society, whose members have made gifts to the Church through their estate or financial plans.

The One in Charity award recognized Robert and Melly Sanchez’ consistent, sacrificial giving to help those in most need through the ABCD campaign. Members of St. Augustine Church in Coral Gables, Robert graduated from Columbus High School in Miami and Melly attended Catholic schools through Barry University. Their children attended St. Theresa School in Coral Gables, and Robert still serves on its advisory board. Above all, the Sanchezes believe that supporting God’s work in South Florida is a good investment.

“It’s a real honor for us. Obviously, it wasn’t necessary but certainly is appreciated. We are proud to be a part of all the good work that the archdiocese does in our community,” said Robert, CEO of Ryder System. “We know that when we give to the archdiocese, they do great work and are going to put it to work in places that the community needs it the most. Plus, being Catholics, we really feel a connection to this versus other charities we give to that aren’t aligned necessarily with the Church,” he said.

“We feel very blessed to be in a position to help others. And it’s something we are called to do by our faith,” Robert continued. “As the archbishop said it today, it’s in giving that you find happiness.”

Melly especially enjoys supporting Centro Mater of Miami, affirming that “it makes us feel very good to be able to help.”

Alicio and Nirma Piña received the One in Faith award, which recognizes excellence in evangelization in sharing the faith with others to encourage growth in Christ. The couple met in Encuentros Juveniles, a Hispanic youth movement, over 40 years ago and eventually married at age 22. They have established couples’ groups and led marriage preparation retreats with Transformed in Love program and Camino del Matrimonio movement at Our Lady of the Lakes Church in Miami Lakes and Corpus Christi Church in Miami.

“The constant in our lives has been the faith, the Church. So God drew us all along to some form of marriage ministry,” said Nirma.

She believes that marriage preparation provides practical tools for a stronger relationship, such as understanding each spouse’s temperament and strengths. “It helped strengthen our marriage while you’re giving witness to Christ’s love in the ups and downs of marriage,” she said. “We haven’t killed each other because of (Christ). He has revealed his love for us through our love for each other. So definitely we’ve learned so much in marriage ministry and applied it to our marriage.”

At a reception following the Mass, Ros expressed his gratitude. “We embrace this gift of hope because hope gives us purpose and purpose gives us a north direction that we can work for and fight for. We’ve been blessed, and every blessing is like a seed we need to sow,” he said, adding, “We always receive the joy of the fruits of our service.”

“Grounded” by his parents’ service, Javier Ros, son of Mike and Yolanda Ros, focuses more on tangible acts of faith. His father reminds him that “faith is more than just what you know and believe,” Javier said, and he explained that faith is also how you act especially in those moments of decision -whether you fall into temptation, whether or to participate in charity. “It’s that constant witness of a faith that is lived out with others. That has had a big effect on me and helps me remind myself of what is really important,” he added.

Steven Colella, cabinet secretary of the archdiocesan Office of Evangelization and Parish Life, appreciates the honorees’ exemplary generosity. “The inductees this year and past years are excellent examples for us of how all of us can live our faith more fully,” he said. “These are Catholics who have hopped in and are doing as much as they can for Jesus Christ and his bride, the Church. It’s amazing and beautiful and very inspiring.”