Father Ako Walker’s breakfast was disrupted by a call that would lead him to a community in mourning. The Francis Scott Key Bridge had collapsed, a disaster sending ripples of fear, grief, and uncertainty throughout the city.
Father Walker, dedicated pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus, Baltimore, received an urgent call from Giuliana Valencia-Banks, a Baltimore County employee. She needed him to be a comforting presence for families affected by the disaster. “I was having breakfast when Giuliana called, asking me to be with families, to accompany them, to talk, to pray, to be a presence in their time of need,” Father Walker recalls. Despite his initial relief that none of his parishioners were directly involved, the interconnectedness of the Hispanic community meant that the pain was felt deeply by all.
Sacred Heart of Jesus responded swiftly. Recognizing the financial and emotional toll on the affected families, the parish worked with the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s Advancement Department to organize two special collections. The Advancement Team took quick action too, augmenting parish efforts through an email campaign and by suggesting additional best practices to better engage those who were eager to help but unsure how. The timing was poignant as all of this was happening during Holy Week. “We had second collections for two weekends, urging our community to support these families financially,” Father Walker explains. The response was overwhelming, with donations pouring in from both within and outside Maryland, demonstrating a profound sense of solidarity and compassion.
Father Walker imbued his Holy Week sermons with messages of hope and resilience, drawing parallels between the suffering of Jesus and the collective grief of the community. “The bridge collapsed, but we must be bridges of love and support for these families. Death does not have the final say; Jesus triumphed, and so must we,” he preached, offering comfort and a path forward through faith.
Among the many acts of compassion Father Walker witnessed in the aftermath of the bridge’s collapse, one particularly stood out. A mother, who had recently lost her two young children, attended a vigil to stand in solidarity with the families who had been impacted by the Key Bridge disaster.
“To me, that is mercy and love and everything Christian,” Father Walker says. “To come, despite her own suffering, was a selfless act that truly embodied the spirit of our faith.”
As most of us know, the bridge collapse garnered global attention, with inquiries pouring in from media outlets as far as Argentina and France, and, for Father Walker, dealing with the relentless media attention was challenging. “I had to give countless interviews, and it was exhausting,” Father Walker says. The constant demand for information was overwhelming, yet Father Walker felt a deep sense of duty to provide spiritual support and guidance. “While managing the media was tough, offering comfort and prayers to those affected was a natural extension of my ministry,” he reflects. This global attention underscored the widespread impact of the tragedy and the universal need for compassion and faith during times of crisis.
Significant sums of money for the families impacted quickly arrived at the parish and the Archdiocese from generous benefactors far and wide, for a collective $180,000 in the weeks following the disaster. The Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs developed a fair and effective method to distribute other funds raised, based on detailed assessments of each family’s needs. This approach so impressed Father Walker that he plans to emulate it when dispersing the funds raised by the parish.
Looking ahead, Father Walker envisions establishing a fund to provide immediate support in future times of crisis, underscoring the need for preparedness and for critical resources to be always at-hand. However, the community’s swift generosity and demonstrated solidarity during this tragedy reaffirmed his faith in humanity and the power of collective compassion.
To those who made sacrificial gifts, Father Walker extends his heartfelt gratitude. “Thank you. Your generosity has renewed my hope in humanity. Your support has been a testament to the goodness in people,” he expresses, emphasizing that the Catholic Church’s mission transcends religious boundaries, serving all in times of need.
Because of your generosity, Sacred Heart of Jesus and its community were able to respond with profound faith, compassion, and solidarity to the Francis Scott Key Bridge tragedy. Your significant contributions help ensure that leaders like Father Ako Walker can provide essential spiritual support and guidance during turbulent times. Your kindness and willingness make it possible to build bridges of hope and love, reaffirming the enduring power of community and faith.