St. Helena's Responds to Christ's Love for Us

"Constructores de Cristo" House Building Project

The front lawn of the church has been turned into a study of comparison and contrast. Our beautiful stone church, with bell tower, stained glass windows, landscaped flowerbeds, and newly redone interior, is now accompanied by a shanty built of scrap lumber, cardboard, salvaged tin, tar paper, wooden pallets, and an old tire.

The shanty was built by our Mexico Mission team. Twice each year a team from St. Helena's, joined by people from other churches, journeys to Piedras Negras Mexico, to build a simple home for a family. The shanty is a replica of many o the homes in which families just like us live until our team arrives.

The shanty is an icon for two roles that the Church fulfills: first, the Church raises up to our society the needs of the poor, the weak, the sick, and the lonely. We need to be reminded frequently about those people whom we would rather forget, or whom we might frequently ignore.

And second, the shanty reminds us that our parish family is called not just to think about the poor, but to do something about their condition. As we act to serve these people in need, we serve Christ himself, and proclaim to the world that we are motivated to respond in love because Christ loves us.

The actual team members who travel to Piedras Negras give a lot: a week of their precious time, a week away from their family, friends, and job, a minimum of $200, and a lot of sweat, blisters, and sore backs.

While only a handful of our large parish family actually builds the house, the team members represent each and every one of us at St. Helena's as they go forth on this mission. And while they provide the labor, the house cannot be built without the help, prayers, and financial support of the entire parish family.

The Rev. David G. Read, Rector

St. Helena's Episcopal Church

Donations to help send mission teams from the Diocese to:

Diocese of West Texas (marked for "Constructores de Christo")

P.O. Box 6885

San Antonio, TX 78209

Attention:  Betty Chumney