Noticing a Need

The scholarship for Our Lady of Refuge (formerly the Santee Mission before it became a parish in 2012) began over a lunch conversation with the late Bishop Emeritus PJ McGrath. Mindful of Marcia’s recent retirement, Bishop PJ asked her, “So what are you up to these days?”

Marcia then told the bishop the story of a Santee mission student who had been accepted to the California Polytechnic School at Pomona. Marcia recalled telling PJ that she had asked the student, “How are you getting down to Pomona for orientation?” The student had replied, "Mrs. Green, my mom and I will take the Greyhound bus.”  This admission was unfathomable for Marcia.

Marcia recalled, “I said, ‘No, that is too long of a ride for your mom.”  Marcia and her husband took the student and his mother to the orientation themselves.

At the luncheon, she suggested to Bishop PJ that perhaps a scholarship might help students in similar circumstances.  From that moment, Marcia, along with donors, and with the help of Sister Mary Becker of the Holy Names Sisters, who worked at the Santee mission, created the scholarship and named it after her mentee and late friend Father Jorge DaSilva. Marcia credits him with encouraging her to stay active in her faith and notice the needs of those around her.

Academic Success and Paying Forward God’s Generosity

The Bishop of San José annually bestows the scholarship on recipients during a Mass. “It was important that the awards be presented in front of the parish community so students are given the opportunity to thank God, the Giver of all good gifts, and so the community could be part of their journey as well.” For Marcia, “[t]he scholarship is a tangible expression of God’s faithfulness. If you are doing His will, He will give you the tools you need to complete the job. Many students have become social workers, engineers, teachers; several are preparing for medical school, others in law school have assisted farm workers in being fairly paid.”

The scholarship fund has inspired many of its students, some of whom have already graduated from college, with a desire to give back to others.  Recipient Hiep Doan related, “I know that this financial help is given to me as a blessing from Christ, and I am forever grateful.” Jorge Balleza, another beneficiary, shared that due to the scholarship, “I was able to graduate from San Jose State University without an ounce of debt. It has allowed me to pursue my dreams and now impact my community in a career that I love.”

Students Nataly Banuelos and Hoa Doan spoke of Marcia’s individualized care and attention. Nataly shared her feeling that, “God blessed me with Mrs. Green, a literal angel, to help me with connections and her little check-ins; she always comes in the times where I feel like giving up.” Hoa recently completed a master's degree in public health.  She recalled how, “Mrs. Green continuously checked in to ensure I was never struggling. She took the time to understand my family background and personal aspirations.”

Marcia Green

“Folks often ask, ‘Are you concerned there may not be enough funds for the number of students applying for scholarships that year?’ My response is always, ‘No; God does not guide, unless God provides!’” Marcia reports that there has always been sufficient funding to support the number of qualified applicants during a given year, with some years seeing as many as 20 to 30 students.  To date, more than a hundred students have received the Fr. Jorge scholarship.

Faith was always the center of family life for Marcia, who grew up in the 1940s and 1950s. The oldest of six, her parents were not able to provide tuition for her to attend the University of San Francisco. In Marcia’s case, “I got through a four-year college by faith, the same way these kids are getting through college.” She took classes at a local community college to save on tuition fees and also worked while completing her bachelor’s degree in nursing.

Unexpected Joy

Marcia expressed, “It truly has been a joy to be a mentor, both in faith as well as in financial support, to see the unfolding of the fruit of ‘Here I am, Lord.’ Once the Holy Spirit called me to begin this endeavor, I believed that if I did the ‘footwork’ of inviting people to contribute, writing grants, and so on, God would provide. Each year, my faith and trust grew.”  Now in her 80s, Marcia reflects on the ways God has been so very faithful to her and the students.

“It has been so fun because I have been invited to family dinners, to quinceañeras, and to weddings. These families have become my bigger family of Faith in God.” One personal touch Marcia adds to students’ award packets is in printing out advice for succeeding in college. “I give them all kinds of tips to do well, because my goal is always to have them do well.”  Between Marcia and donors who fund the Jorge da Silva Scholarship, students of the Our Lady of Refuge parish have the chance to pursue their academic and career goals. It is a life-changing gift that goes both ways as Marcia reiterated, “This mission has been the most joyful part of my retirement life. Mentoring students, encouraging their own faith life, and supporting their call to develop and share their God-given gifts to make a difference in the world.”