Serving God in the face of adversity

OREM — Rocío Rivera participates in Bible study and baptism classes at Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. She sings in the parish choir, serves as an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, and helps with the Marriage Encounter sessions.

However, her involvement with Marriage Encounter has changed since her husband was deported almost two years ago.

"We used to go together to the Marriage Encounter, but now that my husband is not here, I just help them with what I can, sometimes in the kitchen, sometimes preparing things," Rivera said.

The Riveras have been separated since December 2009, when Rivera’s husband had difficulty with his immigration paperwork. Rivera herself is an American citizen.

"My husband did not have any deportation cases; he did not have any criminal record or anything like that, he is a responsible, loving dad and human being," said Rivera, adding that they are taking this situation as a test of God.

"My husband and I talk every day, and we chat about all this and say that maybe we still don’t understand why this happened to us, but if God wanted it is because we needed it," she said. "We just ask him to make us stronger, to keep on going without complaining."

Rivera’s efforts have been noted in the parish bulletin, which reads: "Single parenting is tough and it usually suggests a reduction in activities such as helping out in extra church functions apart from the Mass. However, this particular family is unwilling to cut back. Parent and children help prepare food, attend groups devoted to building up the sacraments, and try to make it to daily Masses."

Rivera and her two daughters keep up their ministry for the church. "Since my husband is not here with us we keep on participating with everything we can for our church," Rivera. "Our oldest daughter, before finishing her Communion classes, told us that she wanted to serve her church. We were not surprised because we knew she has following our example because we did not ask her; it came from her."

The Riveras’ other daughter serves as an altar girl.

"We have learned to love in a different way; we have learned to be stronger," Rivera said. "I could have said, ‘This is too much, I give up.’ But I can’t. If God wanted this at this time something good is coming; we just have to keep our faith and serving our community as much as we can," said Rivera, who is a full-time mother, a full-time employee and a full-time minister.