Harold Rahm facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Harold "Haroldo" Rahm
S.J.
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| Born | February 22, 1919 |
| Died | November 30, 2019 (aged 100) |
| Citizenship | Dual, USA/Brazil |
| Education | BA (Language), STL (Theology) |
| Alma mater | Loyola U. New Orleans St. Louis University |
| Occupation | Catholic priest, Jesuit |
| Television | TV Seculo 21 |
| Board member of | WFTC, DPNA |
| Awards | World Assoc.of Therapeutic Com., Harry Sholl Award |
Harold Joseph Rahm (born February 22, 1919 – died November 30, 2019) was a Catholic priest and a member of the Jesuit order. He became famous for helping young people and working with youth groups in poor areas of El Paso, Texas, USA. Later, he moved to Brazil and continued his important work there.
Contents
Father Rahm's Early Life and Calling
Growing Up in Texas
Harold Rahm was born in Tyler, Texas, on February 22, 1919. When he was in high school, he wanted to become a doctor, just like his father. However, he soon felt a strong pull towards becoming a priest. He first tried a different seminary, which is a school for training priests.
Becoming a Jesuit Priest
After a while, Harold wasn't happy at that seminary. He read exciting stories about Jesuit priests like Pere Marquette and Isaac Jogues. These stories inspired him to join the Jesuits. He entered the Jesuit training program, called a novitiate, in 1937. He was officially ordained as a priest in 1950.
Helping Youth in El Paso, Texas
Starting His Mission
After becoming a priest, Harold Rahm chose a motto: "It is necessary to live life with joy." He told his Jesuit leader that he wanted to make life happier and fairer for people who faced tough challenges. In 1952, he was sent to Sacred Heart Parish in El Paso. This was a large church that served many Spanish-speaking families in the Chihuahuita and Segundo Barrio neighborhoods.
The church was very close to the border with Mexico. Father Rahm's job was to spend time in the busy neighborhood, which was one of the poorest in the country. He would visit people, hold outdoor church services in their backyards, and listen to their advice.
Working with Youth Groups
Father Rahm rode his bicycle to deliver breakfast to older people and to quickly reach places where young people gathered. He became deeply involved in the community's life. He saw the problems caused by youth groups and found help from local business people, the Sertoma Club, and the City Parks and Recreations Department.
He helped start a thrift store, an employment office, and a credit union to support the community. He also had TV shows on KROD-TV and KELP-TV where young people could perform dances, plays, and contests.
The Guadalupano Club and Sports
Father Rahm started the Guadalupano Club. This club held parties, weekend retreats, picnics, and spiritual meetings. As more young people joined the club, it became harder for youth groups to recruit new members.
Even more important was his sports program. He encouraged young boys to play basketball, baseball, and other sports. Athletes from the El Paso College of Mines (now the University of Texas in El Paso) helped coach. Father Rahm wrote a book called Office in the Alley about his work with youth groups. It tells the story of Our Lady's Youth Center. This center started in an old building and grew into a full sports and activities center, helping 600 young people every day.
He hired Ventura "Tula" Irrobali, a local basketball star, as his assistant. Two boys trained by Tula became very successful: one became a national boxing champion, and another was named "Boy of the Year." Today, there's a city park named after Tula, and a street called "Father Rahm Avenue" runs through Segundo Barrio.
Moving to Brazil
Pope John XXIII asked the Jesuits in the USA to send more priests to Latin America. Father Rahm's Jesuit leader knew that his projects in El Paso had many good helpers. So, he asked Father Rahm to go to Brazil. Father Rahm chose another Jesuit priest, Richard Thomas, to continue his work at Sacred Heart.
Father Rahm's Work in Brazil
New Beginnings and Training
In Texas, Father Rahm had become very good at organizing, raising money, and focusing on spiritual growth. He let others manage the programs he started. These skills were very useful in Brazil.
Archbishop Dom Paulo de Tarso welcomed him to the Archdiocese of Campinas. There, Father Rahm helped local church members build the San Pedro Apostle church. At the same time, he began studying the Portuguese language. He also started working with the Cursillo movement, which had just arrived in Brazil in 1962, and became its spiritual leader. In 1967, he and other helpers created a similar program for young people.
Helping People Learn Skills
In 1965, Father Rahm founded the President Kennedy Social Center. This center trained people for jobs like typists, seamstresses, bricklayers, and electricians. Later, they added courses in nursing, computers, and graphic design. Today, the center offers free courses in many areas, including administrative assistant, accounting, English, Spanish, Portuguese, and various art and dance forms.
Training Christian Leaders
In 1967, Father Rahm and Mary Lamego started Christian Leadership Training (TLC). They worked with a team of non-priests to train young people to be Christian leaders. Today, this movement is active in over 80 places across 38 dioceses in Brazil. Father Rahm also asked Jesuit priest Casimiro Irala to teach young people liturgical songs, which led to the creation of TLM (Musical Leadership Training).
In 1972, Father Rahm helped start the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in Brazil movement. In 1975, he created "Prayer Experiences" as part of this renewal.
A Symbol of Hope
In 2013, Father Rahm helped create the Early Circolando Project. This program offers social education, prevention, and care. It has a team of experts, educators, and art teachers who work in neighborhoods where people are very vulnerable.
Father Rahm continued to hold important positions with organizations that help people with addiction issues in Brazil, Latin America, and worldwide. He also advised the National Conference of Brazilian Bishops on these topics.
Death
Father Rahm passed away on November 30, 2019.
Awards and Recognition
Father Rahm received many awards from the city of Campinas and other organizations. Some of his awards include:
- Tough Love International: International Media Award (1984) & Tiffany Pelayo Award (1998).
- Anchieta Medal and Gratitude Diploma of the City of São Paulo (1987).
- Dom Quixote Award of Lulac National (1990).
- Benefactor of Humankind, given by the Grand Orient of Brazil Masons (1999).
- Cruz do Merito do Descobridor do Brasil Pedro Alvarez Cabral (2000).
- Ordem do Merito "Grande Oficial" (2000).
- Merit Certificate for Valorization of Life, given by the President of Brazil (2002).
- Friend of the Social Justice and Juridical Assistance, given by the Military Police of São Paulo State (2003).
- Harry Sholl Award from WFTC (2006).
- Segundo Barrio Award, El Paso (2015).
Images for kids
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Father Harold Rahm
