Soldier in Iraq helps Orange County youngsters on their pilgrimage to Lourdes

Washingtonville - As an American soldier deals with the daily task of fighting for his country in Iraq, he found a way to help some disabled children in his native Orange County make a religious journey of healing. Every year, the Knights of Columbus’ Our Lady of Lourdes Program, based out of Washingtonville, raises money to send children with disabilities to the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes in France. This year, eight children have been selected to make the journey. The pilgrimage is financed by donations. That’s where Major Christopher A. Ingels comes in. Ingels, a native of Campbell Hall in Orange County, read about this year’s drive and sent a check for $150. “I saw Brendan’s photo on the page and was immediately struck by what I can only say is a seldom found grace radiating from this young boy,” wrote Ingels, who serves with the 25th Aviation Brigade, 25th Infantry Division. Ingels was talking about Brendan Dwyer, 4, of Middletown. Dwyer has been diagnosed with “global developmental delays,” according to his family. The list of this young boy’s physical problems is so extensive, it is no wonder Ingels hopes his own faith in God and a trip to Lourdes will help. “Then upon reading of his condition, it clearly makes sense for this to be the way God wishes Brendan, at this time, to touch the world. To be blessed in such a way, life has much in store for the future of Brendan Dwyer, and it would be a shame if we were unable to present our miracle of life to that miracle of healing which occurred in Lourdes, some time ago,” Ingels wrote in an e-mail of which a copy was provided to The Photo News. Brendan has an eye defect and his family does not know how well he could see because among other ailments, he can not speak. He had a heart defect called PDA which has since been repaired but later needed surgery on his lower male anatomy, which resulted in complications and a tracheotomy. The child also has a hearing impairment in his left ear and takes medications for a seizure disorder as well hypo-throidism. He has asthma, is fed mainly through a feeding tube and walks with a walker. “Continuing to read through the list of afflictions Brendan had weathered, and the tribulations still faced, I saw no traces of pain, anguish or despair,” Ingels wrote in his e-mail. Michael Grezesik, 4, is another local child who will be going on the pilgrimage. Grezesik and his family are members of Sacred Heart Church in Monroe and live in Chester. Other area children include, Emerald Perez, 9, who lives in Washingtonville; Lyndsay Krutki, 13, who is from Goshen; and Grace Caldarone, niece of parishioners of Saint Patrick’s Church in Highland Mills. The program began in 1973, and every year since, the Knight of Columbus of Our Lady of Lourdes Council 5890 in Washingtonville has worked to raise enough money to send children with disabilities and one of their parents to Lourdes. This year’s pilgrimage will take place from July 1 to July 10. The amount needed for the trip is $32,000 and the money will be raised through the sale of raffle tickets and individual donations. The water at Lourdes is said to be capable of healing the sick and of the many thousands of pilgrims who visit Lourdes every year, some claim to have been miraculously healed. Lourdes has about five million visitors each year, making it one of the world’s most visited holy sites. “I could see (Brendan’s) triumphs and those yet to come, that if there were ever a miracle of faith in our time, I was fortunate to be a witness,” Ingels wrote in one of his e-mails. “I could see him at Lourdes.” If you want to help To help raise money to send these young children to Lourdes, contact Frank Ferrigno, chariman of the Our Lady of Lourdes Program, at 845-783-2822. Check donations may be written out to “K of C 5890 Lourdes Program” and mailed to: Knights of Columbus, Our Lady of Lourdes Council 5890, P.O Box 22, 18 Hallock Drive, Washingtonville, NY 10992.