• About
    • History
    • Mission
    • Leadership
      • Our Executive Director
      • Staff
      • Board Members
    • Impact
    • Donors
      • Grant Providers & Funders
      • Donor Privacy Policy
    • Angel Award Winners
    • Annual Report
      • Catholic Charities Audit & 990’s
    • Accreditations
    • Careers
  • What We Do
    • Community Services
      • Assistance in Micro-Enterprise (AIM)
      • Citrus Outreach Center
    • Financial Assistance
    • Immigration and Citizenship Services
    • Medical Services
    • Pregnancy & Adoption
      • Catholic Charities Adoption Services
      • Foundations of Life Pregnancy Centers
      • Project Rachel (Post-Abortion Counseling)
      • Perinatal Comfort Care
    • Shelters & Housing
      • Tampa Hope
      • Pasco Family Shelter
      • Pasco County Women’s Shelter
      • San Jose Mission
      • Affordable Housing
      • HUD 202 Elderly Housing
      • HIV/AIDS Housing Services
  • Financial Help
    • TECO Utility Assistance
    • Financial Assistance – Citrus County
    • Financial Assistance – Hernando County
    • Financial Assistance – Hillsborough County
    • Financial Assistance – Pasco County
    • Financial Assistance – Pinellas County
  • News
    • Upcoming Events
    • Our Newsletter
    • Our Latest Stories
      • Dobbs v. Jackson: Catholic Charities Diocese of St. Petersburg Statement
    • Our Latest Videos
    • TV Coverage
    • Radio Coverage
    • Print Coverage
  • Fundraisers
    • 2022 Christmas Appeal
    • Celebration of Life – 2022
    • Pinellas Hope: Shower Needs!
    • Tampa Hope: Helping the Homeless!
  • Donate
    • Cash
    • AmazonSmile
    • Automobile
    • Planned Giving
    • Stock, IRA and Matching Gifts
  • Volunteer
  • Contact

A Special Birthday!

April 13, 2016 by Lou Ricardo in Affordable Housing, Elderly Housing (HUD 202)
A Special Birthday!

Miss Letha was born 100 years ago today, March 30, 1916. She’s seen a lot in her 100 years. Born and raised in Lake City, Miss Letha moved south for better employment opportunities. She was aboard a Greyhound bus headed to St. Petersburg on the very day President Franklin Delano Roosevelt called “a date that will live in infamy.” Miss Letha and the rest of her fellow passengers were changing buses in Gainesville when they learned that the Japanese had bombed Pearl Harbor. This incredible story from nearly 75 years ago is but one example of her unique experiences.

A resident of Trinity House Apartments since 2010, Miss Letha is a beloved resident and an example of why Catholic Charities employees do what they do to support the elderly living in the apartments they supervise and manage. To evidence why she is so beloved, when asked who her best friends are , Miss Letha replied, “Everyone is my best friend.” During her special 100th birthday party, where she was serenaded with a rousing chorus of ‘Happy Birthday’ by staff and her fellow residents, Miss Letha intoned she owed her longevity “to the man upstairs.” “Every morning when I wake up, I said to God: ‘You brought me to another day. A day I’ve never seen before and I will never see again. And I know you will lead me on. I am in your care.” When questioned about how it felt to be one hundred years old, Miss Letha quickly replied: “I feel good. I don’t feel like a hundred.”

Blowing out the Candles!

Blowing out the Candles!

Miss Letha shared one special story that helps to define her by shedding light on how and why she became a Christian: “I wasn’t living a life that wasn’t pleasing to God.  One night, I had a dream and he said I got to let you know what hell is like.  The next morning, I lit the oven and there was an explosion.” Miss Letha was hospitalized and eventually recovered, but when she did she committed her self to living a life that would be pleasing to God. That commitment lives on to this day as a member of Bethel Community Church. We at Catholic Charities are proud to be in some way a small part of her wonderful story.

 

 

 

 

Article by: Lou Ricardo

Tweet
Share
Pin it
Previous StoryGospel Trio perform at Trinity House Next StoryLeprechauns for Life Dinner & Dance
  • Popular
  • Latest
  • Comments
  • 19th July 2022

     Jesus is Knocking at San Jose Mission: 2022 Vacation Bible School

  • 12th January 2022

     It Takes A Village

  • 1st December 2020

     Giving Tuesday (Dec. 1, 2020)

  • Prayer Vigil for Migrants and Refugees 2nd February 2017

     Prayer Vigil for Migrants and Refugees

  • 22nd June 2018

     Christmas at San Jose Mission

  • 17th November 2022

     A Night on Fire with the Holy Spirit – The 2nd Annual Ministries of Mercy Celebration of Life

  • 19th October 2022

     Catholic Charities USA Six-Figure Donation Helps with Local Hurricane Recovery Efforts

  • 27th September 2022

     Mercy Oaks Apartments Grand Opening

  • 19th July 2022

     Jesus is Knocking at San Jose Mission: 2022 Vacation Bible School

  • 27th June 2022

     Blessing of Latest Affordable Housing Built by Catholic Charities

  • Pinellas Hope Announces Plans for Future Permanent Supportive Housing 183007 AprilAmerica/New_YorkbWed, 13 Apr 2016 19:27:56 -0400000000pmWed, 13 Apr 2016 19:27:56 -040016 2015

     Pinellas Hope Announces Plans for Future Permanent Supportive Housing

  • 193007 AprilAmerica/New_YorkbWed, 13 Apr 2016 19:27:56 -0400000000pmWed, 13 Apr 2016 19:27:56 -040016 2015

     Catholic Charites’ Grant Activity!

  • 193007 AprilAmerica/New_YorkbWed, 13 Apr 2016 19:27:56 -0400000000pmWed, 13 Apr 2016 19:27:56 -040016 2015

     Pinellas Hope Receives a Generous Check

  • Catholic Charities nominated to participate in the Tampa Bay Business Journal’s 2015 Non Profit of the Year Award! 23Wed, 13 Apr 2016 19:27:56 -040013 AprilAmerica/New_YorkbWed, 13 Apr 2016 19:27:56 -0400000000pmWed, 13 Apr 2016 19:27:56 -040016 2015

     Catholic Charities nominated to participate in the Tampa Bay Business Journal’s 2015 Non Profit of the Year Award!

  • Medical Mobile Bus Adventure! 253007 AprilAmerica/New_YorkbWed, 13 Apr 2016 19:27:56 -0400000000pmWed, 13 Apr 2016 19:27:56 -040016 2015

     Medical Mobile Bus Adventure!

Our Mission

Catholic Charities serves with charity and compassion to promote the sanctity and dignity of all people with God. As a member of Church, Catholic Charities offers hope by helping those in need and unites with others in service.

Our Values

Catholic Charities makes a Commitment to Serve all people with Respect, Compassion and Cooperation in the spirit of a unifying God.

Find us elsewhere

All Contents © 2023 Catholic Charities, Diocese of St. Petersburg, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy.