Knights of Columbus Honor Goshen Family

By CLAUDIA McDONNELL

The Knights of Columbus, with 1.7 million members worldwide, selected a family from Orange County to receive this year's International Family of the Year Award.

The Knights chose Dr. Mario and Donna Loomis of Goshen and their four children, parishioners at St. John the Evangelist parish there. The Loomises are strongly Catholic and pro—life, and they're involved in activities to promote the faith and Church teaching.

The honor came as a surprise.

"We were stunned," Mrs. Loomis told CNY. "It's very humbling because we know so many wonderful Catholic families right around here, and they've been tremendous examples for us in how to live a good, faithful life."

Dr. Loomis is a member of the Knights' St. John's Council 1106 in Goshen.

"I thank the Knights, and I think it's such a great thing they do in honoring families in generalÉToday the family is under attack from so many sectors. A strong, virtuous family is where our future leaders come from," and so do religious vocations, he said.

The award was presented Aug. 6 by Supreme Knight Carl Anderson at the K of C convention in Quebec City. Dr. and Mrs. Loomis attended with their children, Joseph, 18, Rebecca, 15, Gabriel, 7, and Teresa, 5.

"It's wonderful to be surrounded by people who think the same way," who are Catholic, pro—life and pro—family, she added.

Dr. Loomis is a plastic surgeon whose general practice includes trauma, burns, cosmetic surgery and reconstruction. He works at Orange County Medical Center's Horton Campus in Middletown, its Arden Hill Campus in Goshen, and St. Anthony Community Hospital in Warwick.

Mrs. Loomis is a nurse who is now at home full time and homeschools the couple's children. Joseph has completed high school and will attend John Paul the Great Catholic University in San Diego in the fall to study digital media. He participated in the Cathedral Prep program and produced a DVD to promote the program. Rebecca volunteers with the House on the Hill program for migrant workers' children.

The Loomises moved to Goshen 14 years ago when Dr. Loomis undertook a medical school commitment to work in an underserved region. Mrs. Loomis said that they "fell in love" with Goshen and St. John's. She formerly taught in the parish religious education program, and she and her husband were involved in Pre—Cana and taught Natural Family Planning.

"We feel it's a really important teaching of the Church," she said.

The couple founded a group for teens, "A Drop of Clear Water," to promote prayer, charity and chastity. There are about 65 members in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The name comes from a statement by Mother Teresa, who said that she wanted to be "a drop of clear water" for God's love to shine through.

Meetings take place at the Loomises' home—not all members come at any one time—and parents and younger siblings are invited. The program includes evening prayer, a talk and a potluck supper. The group takes on charitable projects and has been working to spruce up one of the Good Counsel Homes for mothers and babies.

Dr. Loomis is involved with Light of the World Charities, an organization that sends surgical teams to developing countries. He makes two trips a year and has visited Comayagua, Honduras, where the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal have a mission, to provide services such as cleft lip and palate repairs and burn reconstruction.

Dr. and Mrs. Loomis are deeply committed to the Church and its teachings.

"We found joy and happiness and peace living our lives with our Catholic faith as the foundation," Mrs. Loomis said. "And our faith is formed by the Church. The teachings of the Church are straight from Christ."

When asked for a word of advice, she was succinct.

"What matters most is faith and family," she said. "Focus on your family and your faith, and everything else will follow."

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