By Mary Grieco
Catholic Herald correspondent
Parishes planning March trip to Mexico
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Michele Rein, parish director at St. Augustine in Harrison and St. John the Baptist in Bloomville, distributes gifts to Nuevo Progreso residents during a trip to Mexico last February. Members of her two parishes will travel to Nuevo Progreso next March. (Submitted photo) |
BLOOMVILLE -- Until a few months ago, most members of St. Augustine Parish in Harrison and and St. John the Baptist Parish in Bloomville had never heard of Nuevo Progreso, Mexico.
That all changed, however, after parish director Michele Rein went to that area on vacation earlier this year.
From her experience of helping to distribute beans, rice and clothing to the poor of Nuevo Progreso evolved the idea of organizing a mission trip. After seeing a video showing conditions in the city, parishioners agreed that they would like to organize an outreach. A 10-day trip is being planned for next March.
Rein became familiar with the area through Deacon Dan Towle, whose parents, Clarence and Marie, live in Texas. Their home is near Nuevo Progreso, a border town. Clarence has been involved in many building projects in the impoverished areas and has agreed to work with the local parishioners when they make their trip in March. Their goal is to build four homes for families who now live makeshift shacks.
"I was amazed at how many wanted to go," Rein commented. "There are a lot of couples as well as families, and one is also taking their high school kids. Even the people who are staying behind are excited and feel a part of it."
Twenty five parishioners have committed to the trip. Rein sees this as a way of bringing the two parish communities closer together, as both are involved in the planning and fund-raising efforts.
An abundance of clothing, shoes, school supplies, bedding and a variety of other items have already been collected for the people of Nuevo Progreso, and now the group is hoping to raise $8,000 for building materials and other needs in the area.
Anne Carnes has donated a handmade quilt for a raffle, with the drawing planned for Super Bowl Sunday. Parishioners have also been selling tacos, making pancakes and holding bake sales, and they plan to make turkey sandwiches to sell at an upcoming community motorcycle rally.
Bill Frederick volunteered himself and his wife, Roberta, to be in charge of roasting the turkeys. They will be among the travelers and are looking forward to the experience.
"To be able to do something hands-on is a good way to show our gratitude for everything we have," Roberta commented. "There is a lot we can do." They will be driving south with their trailer, which will be packed with donations.
Bob and Maxine Nowak will also be making the trip, and they know the route very well. They spend summers in the Harrison area and have a winter home in Brownsville, Texas, where they have been involved in ministering to the poor on both sides of the border.
"We had this strange sense of something telling us to buy a place in Texas," Maxine said. "Now we know why."
Another volunteer for the project is John Voarmans II, who works as a welder and machinist. "I hope I will be an asset," he said, adding that he is donating the use of his truck and will be transporting "bunches of stuff in the back."
Rein is confident that with the combined talents of the group, and help from Towle's father, the building project will go smoothly. Each of the simple 14x16-foot homes has only one room and will cost an estimated $1,400.
Editor's note: Donations may be sent to Outreach to Mexico, c/o St. Augustine and St. John the Baptist Churches, N10090 Cty. B, Tomahawk, WI 54487.
© Superior Catholic Herald, 2001