the basis of the best schools, recreation,
access to good roads and a host of other criteria.
But a great many people can never hope that
any of those decisions would be ever theirs.
For a single mom with children, the hope of
ever owning a home is not within the realm
of possibility.
Habitat for Humanity was started in 1976
by Millard and Linda Fuller in Americus, Georgia.
It is an international, ecumenical, Christian
organization dedicated to the dream of eliminating
poverty and homelessness. The Fullers discovered
the idea of helping needy families through
a social experiment developed on the Koinonia
Farm, a Christian farming community founded
in 1942. It was based on the idea that people
did not need a hand out, but capital and guidance
to get a new start. At the heart of the idea
was “The Fund for Humanity”.
What the poor need is not charity, but capital;
not caseworkers, but co-workers. What the
rich need is a wise, honorable and just way
of divesting themselves of their overabundance.
The Fund for Humanity met both of these needs.
Money for the fund comes from two sources.
Donations are given by those who feel they
have more than they need. The other is from
non-interest bearing loans, for those who
cannot afford to make a gift, but who do want
to provide working capital for the disinherited.
. . The fund does not give away any money.
It is not a handout.
Based on this philosophy Habitat for Humanity
has built or rehabilitated 150,000 houses.
In our community, Habitat is just getting
started. The North Collin County chapter of
Habitat for Humanity has now completed 21
homes and has plans for 5 more this year.
Each recipient of a new home is required to
pay for their house, with their own labor
(sweat equity) and monthly payments on a no
interest mortgage. Habitat houses are simple
and inexpensive, built with donated labor,
and in many cases, donated materials.
Our parish is being given an extraordinary
opportunity to help a young, single mother
and her three children. We are being called
upon to share the work of building their house,
joining forces with our Catholic brothers
and sisters in two other parishes, St. Gabriel’s
and St. Michael’ in McKinney. The recipient
of the home is also a resident of McKinney,
Maria Guerrero. Maria was born in Acambaro,
Guanajuato, Mexico in 1977, the fourth child
of eight siblings now living in Mexico, California
and McKinney. Raised in Mexico until 1993,
she came to the states at age 15 with her
parents who also reside in McKinney. As a
single mother of three active boys, Isaac
(age 9), Luis (age 4) and Erick (age 2), she
has struggled to put in her “sweat equity”
hours. Her determination is an inspiration.
She has seized upon an opportunity to make
a better life for herself and her three sons.
St. Jude’s contribution to the project
is $12,000 - one third of the total cost.
We are also providing a construction crew,
through our Habitat volunteers. There are
few opportunities in life in which we can
make a difference. It is our privilege to
be able to provide something as significant
as a home for someone right here in our own
neighborhood. A small contribution will make
a huge difference. Please use the enclosed
envelope for your offering. Maria, Isaac,
Luis and Erik will never forget your generosity.
And our God, who sees, will bless you.
1303 Roosevelt - McKinney
