By Jim Davis - Florida Catholic
Staffer Daisy Lafranco checks the "passport" of client Omar Raad for the Catholic Schools Week event at the Marian Center Feb. 2, 2024.
Beth Long, a volunteer at the Marian Center, checks client Michael Philippou's "passport" for the center's Catholic Schools Week event Feb. 2, 2024.
Clients of the Marian Center watch a video simulating a jet take-off as they begin their simulated tour of Europe Feb. 2, 2024.
Sister Filomena Mastrangelo of the Marian Center discusses Italy for the center's Catholic Schools Week event Feb. 2, 2024.
Erica Brooks-John, a client supervisor at the Marian Center, holds up a cup from Poland during the center's Catholic Schools Week event Feb. 2, 2024.
Erica Brooks-John, a client supervisor at the Marian Center, talks about Poland for the center's Catholic Schools Week event Feb. 2, 2024.
Gloria Gordon, a client supervisor at the Marian Center, talks about England during the center's Catholic Schools Week event Feb. 2, 2024.
Gloria Gordon, a client supervisor at the Marian Center, discusses St. George, the patron of England, during the center's Catholic Schools Week event Feb. 2, 2024.
Enid Cuadrado, a teacher at the Marian Center, gives an emotive presentation about France during the center's Catholic School Week event Feb. 2, 2024.
Clients of the Marian Center smile during Enid Cuadrado's presentation about France during the center's Catholic Schools Week event Feb. 2, 2024. Standing at the rear is Sister Lidia Valli, director of the center.
Samara Cancel, a parent of a client at the Marian Center, talks about Greece for the center's Catholic Schools Week event Feb. 2, 2024.
Debhar Daily, a client supervisor at the Marian Center, talks about Greece for the center's Catholic Schools Week event Feb. 2, 2024.
Uruszla Bednark, an assistant teacher at the Marian Center, talks about Ireland for the center's Catholic Schools Week event Feb. 2, 2024.
Uruszla Bednark, an assistant teacher at the Marian Center, discusses Ireland for the center's Catholic Schools Week event Feb. 2, 2024.
Debhar Daily, a client supervisor at the Marian Center, stamps client Patricia Sanchez' "passport" for the center's Catholic Schools Week event Feb. 2, 2024.
Erica Brooks-John, a client supervisor at the Marian Center, stamps the "passport" of client Jewel Nichols for the center's Catholic Schools Week event Feb. 2, 2024.
Barbara Psinakis, director of adult day training at the Marian Center, stamps client Anitra Jackson's "passport" for the center's Catholic Schools Week event Feb. 2, 2024.
Sister Filomena Mastrangelo of the Marian Center pins a souvenir on client Leslie Morris during the center's Catholic Schools Week event Feb. 2, 2024.
Coach Gloria Oyarzun of the Marian Center tosses a basketball-size globe during the center's Catholic Schools Week event Feb. 2, 2024.
Foods of several nations wrap up the Marian Center's Catholic Schools Week event Feb. 2, 2024.
Flags, teacups and paper flowers decorate the England display for the Marian Center's Catholic Schools Week event Feb. 2, 2024.
Blue and white ribbons, plus dishes with Greek motifs, decorate the Greece display for the Marian Center's Catholic Schools Week event Feb. 2, 2024.
Green hats decorate the Ireland display for the Marian Center's Catholic Schools Week event Feb. 2, 2024.
A basket of French bread decorates the display for France during the Marian Center's Catholic Schools Week event Feb. 2, 2024.
St. Pope John Paul II glows in a souvenir photo from the polish presentation for the Marian Center's Catholic Schools Week event Feb. 2, 2024. On the back of the photo is one of his quotes: "The future starts today, not tomorrow."
"It's good to learn about other countries," says Sister Lidia Valli, executive director of the Marian Center, during its Catholic Schools Week event Feb. 2, 2024.
Photography: JIM DAVIS | FC
MIAMI GARDENS | Clients of the Marian Center School “traveled” Europe in an imaginary tour, sampling history, culture and other facets of six lands.
About 125 students, residents, teachers and parents took part in the Feb. 2, 2024, event at the center for people with developmental disabilities.
“It’s good to learn about other countries,” said Sister Lidia Valli, executive director of the center and principal of its school. “Some of the people here may never get the chance to travel.”
The Feb. 2 program began with the center’s clients filing through an archway meant to simulate a gate to an international flight. Marian Center staffers checked small booklets resembling passports.
Once seated in the auditorium, the clients saw a video of a plane taking off, to the folk song “Leaving on a Jet Plane.” Then they were divided into smaller groups, each assigned to one of six European nations: France, Greece, England, Italy, Poland and Ireland.
At each national section, a teacher, parent or religious sister greeted the listeners and told a little about each country. Some information bits: St. George is the patron saint of England; St. Francis of Assisi, Italy, invented the Nativity scene; the harp is the national symbol of Ireland.
The speakers also told of famous saints associated with their countries, including Patrick for Ireland, Nicholas for Greece and Padre Pio for Italy.
After each eight-minute presentation, the clients were given “souvenirs” of their visit, including small flags, photos of St. Pope John Paul II, and sunburst medals for charm bracelets.
The wrap-up assembly took the form of a return “flight” to the tune of “That’s Amore.” The clients then were challenged to recite some of the facts they'd learned. Gloria Oyarzun, the school’s coach, tossed a volleyball-size globe to each person who offered to answer.
“They feel important when they know something new,” said Sister Filomena Mastrangelo, who addressed students at the table for Italy. “Then they go home and tell their parents about it.”
Lunchtime provided a final taste of the day’s fare, with a cafeteria line of national dishes including lasagna, croissants, baklava, Greek spinach pie, Polish sausage and English fish and chips. Most of the food was donated by families of the clients.
The make-believe trip was the second by the Marian Center for the clients. The first, last fall, told them about 10 Latin American nations for Hispanic Heritage Month.
The Marian Center is part of the Archdiocese of Miami, but it’s run by four Sisters of St. Joseph Benedict Cottolengo. The order was invited to South Florida in 1963 by Bishop Coleman F. Carroll, the first bishop of the diocese.
“They're interested in bringing out the best in the kids,” said Beth Long, who still volunteers at the school although her daughter graduated in 2005. “There’s a lot of love here.”
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