Our Family of the Month for December 2023 is the Ricardo and Maya Guzman family, selected for their inspirational role in supporting the Knights of Columbus, Prince of Peace and area parishes.
With his wife, Maya, of 20 years in February, his family joined Prince Of Peace in 2022. Ricardo and Maya are the proud parents of Ricardo Jr., 18, Pablo, two weeks shy of 17, and Maria, 11. Ricardo became a Knight in 2021 and is currently a Third Degree Knight.
Natives of Mexico City, Ricardo and Maya met while working for Teleton Mexico that operates more than 25 centers throughout Mexico that serve 30,000 children and adolescents with disabilities, cancer or autism, and provide services that promote their full development and inclusion in society.
In 2008, and based on his work history, Ricardo was hired by Chris Lewis (son of famous entertainer Jerry Lewis and current president of the American Wheelchair Mission) to join the nonprofit as its executive director. Given his role, Ricardo has collaborated with the Prince of Peace Wheelchair Mission and Knights to provide thousands of wheelchairs to those who cannot afford one.
He speaks on behalf of the Knights to the Hispanic community and has delivered many pulpit talks on Wheelchair Sundays at various churches in the Diocese of Dallas and throughout Texas to raise money and build awareness. In 2021, Ricardo traveled to Tampico, Mexico, with Fr. Michael Forge, fellow Knights and Prince of Peace parishioners to distribute wheelchairs to those in need. Without mobility, says Ricardo, there is no inclusion of children. With a wheelchair, however, young people can attend Mass, go to school and play with others.
Described by a fellow Knight as someone who helps answer prayers, Ricardo and his family look forward to becoming more involved in various Prince of Peace ministries including altar service and the youth ministry. During the Knights Sunday Breakfasts, you can often find the three Guzman children refilling milk, juice and water containers to serve others.
Ricardo and Maya have been involved in the Regnum Christi apostolate as well as a ministry that helps couples to strengthen their marriage. Congratulations to the Guzman family for answering prayers!