‘It was amazing’: Midland Church’s mission to support Uvalde turned into one giant celebration

SAN ANTONIO. Two Texas settlements, separated by almost 300 miles, merged into one.

Parishioners of the Catholic Church in West Texas sincerely wanted to support Uvalde after the tragedy at Robb’s elementary school.

“They stole a child from them, never to see him again. I felt that sadness when you drove up to Uvalda,” said Deacon Billy Garcia of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Midland.

What happened last Sunday was much bigger than they imagined.

Now the headmaster of a Catholic school, Uvalde, is about to set off on his journey to show his gratitude.

“Even today we still talk about it,” Deacon Billy said.

Healing is still happening in the Uvalde community. Acts of love to support them come in many forms.

“You could not only just feel [the love]you could see it in everyone,” said Deacon Billy.

If you had walked into the cafeteria of the Catholic School of the Sacred Heart in Uvalda last Sunday, you would have seen what looked like a giant celebration.

“We all came together as one,” Deacon Billy explained.

Behind the celebration were the parishioners of another archdiocese in Midland, Texas. While they are under the Archdiocese of San Angelo, Uvalde falls under the Archdiocese of San Antonio.

“I have never seen members from two different churches, separated by four and a half hours, gather together,” said Joseph Olan, director of the Sacred Heart Catholic School in Uvalde.

Deacon Billy’s wife, Angie, told KENS 5 that it was in her heart to show love to her neighbors in Uvalda. Last fall, she approached Father David of Our Lady of Guadalupe with the idea. She says she has his full support.

“Despite the fact that we have a difference of five hours, we still need to be close to each other,” Angie said.

As soon as her mission became known, dozens of volunteers boarded. Local entrepreneurs from Midland and Odessa joined forces to donate 55 brisket, 100 bicycles, manicures, haircuts and more to Uvalda.

Midland-based Legendz BarberShop staff said every person they cater to has a story to share.

“One lady who cut her hair said, [to the barber]”Thank you so much for this. We thought everyone had already forgotten about us,” said Angie.

Choirs from the Permian basin gladdened the air in the Sacred Heart, and the parishioners of both churches danced together.

“As a newly ordained deacon in the Catholic Church, it has been a great experience for me to know that when something happens, there are no boundaries,” Deacon Billy said. “We have to go and be close to each other.”

On Monday, St. Mary’s School in Odessa presented Sacred Heart with a check for $1,700. Principal Olan plans to use the funds to buy a gym and possibly a new salad bar that serves fresh fruits and vegetables to students.

“They just wanted to shine a blessing on this community. It was more than just a revelation. It was amazing,” Olan said. “Truly amazing to see God’s work.”

When Angie said goodbye to her new friends in Uvalda, she said she was moved to tears.

“It suffocated me because they were part of me,” she said. “You said we blessed them, but they don’t know what effect they had on us.”

Midland and Odessa parishioners also took the time to stop at the Uvalde memorial in the city centre.

This weekend Olan will travel to the Midlands to say thanksgiving at every Sunday mass at Our Lady of Guadalupe. He says he prefers to personally thank his parishioners.

Together with him, he will present postcards and posters made with love by students and parents of Sacred Heart to the parishioners of Midland and Odessa.

“There are beacons of hope in your communities, you just have to open your eyes and embrace them,” Olan said.