Bishop John Noonan | Diocese of Orland website

Parishioners from Nativity Parish in Longwood have raised funds to provide 34 new hospital beds for Pathways to Care, an assisted living facility that supports homeless individuals recovering from illness or surgery. The donation effort was led by the parish's Advocacy and Social Action Ministry, inspired by the commitment of parish pastor Father David Scotchie.

The ministry collects and distributes a portion of the offertory, especially during Lent, to support Catholic community partners. Upon learning that Pathways to Care needed new adjustable hospital beds for its residents, Nativity parishioners collected approximately $25,000. Father Scotchie also secured a matching grant to cover additional costs.

William Bernardo, director of the Catholic Charities of Central Florida facility, expressed his appreciation at the annual Soup Bowl Supper event held at St. Mary Magdalen Parish. During the event, Bernardo presented Father Scotchie and Nativity parishioners with the Make a Difference award.

Marti Ladd, who coordinated the fundraising effort, said, “We are rooted in Catholic Social Teaching. We want to help the members of our parish understand those principles and be able to put them into practice.”

Bernardo described how staff at Pathways to Care assist residents: “Our residents receive compassionate support from the staff at Pathways to Care who work to help men and women strengthen their foundation by connecting them with essential medical and social resources including other ministries at Catholic Charities. The men and women who come to PTC avail themselves of this opportunity differently. For many it’s a step in a better direction, for some it’s just a stop along their way.”

He added that the new beds offer several benefits: “The beds, with their capacity to move up and down, make it easier for the residents to get in and out of them. The ability to raise the back of their head or elevate their feet not only maximizes comfort, it better manages any inflammation they might be working to reduce. They also enhance the cleanliness of the room as they are on wheels and can be moved for sanitization and more efficient changing of linens.”

Residents have reported improvements since receiving the new beds: “I’m sleeping and resting better. My legs don’t bother me as much since I can easily elevate them.”

Pathways to Care operates under Catholic Charities within the Diocese of Orlando, which was established in 1968 and encompasses 79 parishes across nine counties under Bishop James Noonan’s leadership.