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Fr. Ken and Pat Sanchez. Photo: Henrietta Wildsmith. This is a printer friendly version of an article from hattiesburgamerican.com Article published Jan 12, 2007 Father Ken Ramon-Landry By Reuben Mees If the Rev. Ken Ramon-Landry isn't willing to do something himself he never would recommend those to whom he offers advice to do it. Last year, the philosophy he lives his life by was put to the test when he was faced with the choice of putting his own life on the line to save a friend and parishioner at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. And in early July, Ramon-Landry lived up to his own expectations by donating a kidney to Patricia Sanchez. "Father Ken has given us the gift of life," Sanchez, 60, said. "I have a 3-year-old granddaughter. I will get to see her grow up and be with my children longer than I expected." Sanchez said Ramon-Landry offered the organ without being asked. "He came forward," she said. "He is a truly wonderful man - a generous priest who lives the gospel as eloquently as he preaches it." "I knew that she needed it," Ramon-Landry said. "If it were my mom, I would want someone to do the same thing for her. It's kind of like do unto others as you would have them do unto you." In addition to his work at Sacred Heart as a pastor, the priest is a linchpin between area officials and the Hispanic community. "We've been organizing an effort for the diocese to make sure we don't miss an opportunity to reach out to our Spanish-speaking brothers and sisters," said Ramon-Landry who is fluent in the language and conducts the Spanish Mass for the church. So it is natural that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has turned to Ramon-Landry to help make sure that the area Spanish-speaking community is prepared for another disaster like Hurricane Katrina. But deeper than his philosophy of modeling by example and reaching out to an underserved population, Ramon-Landry said he is driven by a faith that all humans are intrinsically good. "I believe in the basic goodness of people," he said. "Whenever we recognize that in others and respond to that in others, it is a kind of domino effect - the paying it forward concept. "I believe everyone is a good person. Some people just make bad choices." |