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| November 21, 2008 |
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Apopka nuns honored with annual awardAdvocates for the voiceless, four sisters of Notre Dame de Namur are named Central Floridians of the Year by the Orlando Sentinel. 
Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur pose for a photo during a farmworkers fundraiser Jan. 12 in Maitland. Front center is Sister Cathy Gorman. In the back row, left to right, are Sisters Teresa McElwee, Ann Kendrick and Gail Grimes. APOPKA | They have been called tenacious and compassionate, determined and dependable, resolute and relentless. They have been an indomitable force of good in the lives of this area’s poor for nearly four decades. Catholic nuns Cathy Gorman, Ann Kendrick, Gail Grimes and Teresa McElwee weren’t looking for any recognition for the countless good deeds they’ve done — but they got it anyway. The Orlando Sentinel editorial board has named the four Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur as their Central Floridians of the Year — an annual award bestowed upon the person or group who most benefited the community. Upon learning of the recognition, Sister Kendrick said, “I felt humbled. We’re just doing our job.” Referring to them as “the conscience of the community,” Bishop Thomas Wenski of Orlando said they are an inspiration. But Sister Grimes said it isn’t they who inspire — it’s the community they serve. “The wonderful thing about what we do is that it’s not us, it’s the people,” Sister Grimes said. “You can develop all the programs in the world but if you don’t have relationships with the people it doesn’t work.” Making her way from up north to Apopka almost 40 years ago, Sister Grimes left a teaching position to work with the farmworkers and poor in the area. “I was a high school chemistry teacher and I felt there were a lot of good chemistry teachers around so I was looking for something to do,” she said. “I came here to visit and it just seemed like the right place.” Sisters Kendrick, Gorman and McElwee were already there and the four became fast friends. The makeup of their community has changed over the years. In the 1970s the population consisted of mostly African-American and Caucasian migrant farmworkers. In the ’80s an influx of Hispanic workers was followed by the arrival of numerous Haitians. The result today is a mix of ethnic groups living and working together as one community. For years the nuns worked from a small, rented storefront providing social programs, guidance and support from a cluttered 800-square-foot space. Last year they finally received a bit of breathing room when the Hope CommUnity Center opened Oct. 27. The new 8,000-square-foot facility provides plenty of space for the many programs they provide for children, teens and adults including youth groups, parenting programs, leadership development, tutoring, and educational enrichment activities such as the “Shakespeare in the Park” program that introduces youths to art and culture. Another successful program is a takeoff on the “Take your Daughter to Work Day.” Through it, more than 100 young girls have been paired with women in business who take them to work, giving them insight into the many career options available. Among the many programs for adults, one provides lessons on positive reinforcement in the family. “Many people told us their family was on the brink of divorce and through this program they learned skills and found the support they needed to stay together,” Sister Grimes said. Other classes offer computer training, English as a second language, GED classes and a course in citizenship. As for Sister Grimes, she said working with her fellow sisters is a joy, and they don’t ever plan on breaking up the team. “Like anything you have to work it — it’s like a marriage,” Sister Grimes said. “We have a great sense of humor, a good prayer life and we try to grow together.” The sisters are quick to point out there are many others with whom they share their success, from co-workers, to local clinics, credit unions, the farmworker association and of course the people of the community. “Many in the greater community, who are our partners, helped. We couldn’t do it alone. By us being honored, they are honored,” said Sister Kendrick. “The community has taught us a lot about who we are and who we aren’t and what’s important in life,” Sister Grimes said. “At the end of life what’s important is not that you got a degree or won an award; what’s important is that you made a difference. What’s important are people.” Tanya Goodman of the Florida Catholic staff contributed to this article.
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