Lenten Almsgiving with Catholic Extension

Last year, our Lenten almsgiving project supported the construction of a new rectory to provide a home for Fr. Francisco Solis, pastor of St. Joan of Arc. Thanks to your generosity, the beautiful new rectory is now complete! Fr. Mark, Sylvia Baker, and Kerry Chu recently visited and were able to see firsthand the fruits of your kindness. Below is a heartfelt letter of gratitude from Fr. Solis to our parish community.

Through our partnership with Catholic Extension, we raised $160,471 to support St. Joan of Arc in the Diocese of Brownsville, South Texas. Your generous donations enabled the construction of a new rectory for the priests. Pastor Fr. Francisco Solis lived in a space that is part of the parish office, lacking privacy and proper facilities. Your support enabled the construction of a serene, private home for rest and rejuvenation. Your gifts provided a dignified sanctuary, strengthening the parish's service to the Lord and community.

A letter from Fr. Francisco Solis:

Dear Fr. Mark Hebert and the Community of Christ the Redeemer, 

I wanted to take a moment on the behalf of the community of St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church and myself to express our sincere gratitude to you, your team, and the community of Christ the Redeemer Church for your efforts and generosity. Your contributions have made it possible for me and the future priests of St. Joan Arc to have a house. Your gift serves as a reminder to us of the importance of kindness and compassion in our world. Your willingness to go above and beyond to help us means more than words can express. 

Please know that we will always remember your kindness and generosity. I hope and pray to one day have the opportunity to pay it forward and make a difference for another parish, just as you have done for us. Once again, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for everything you have done for our community. Your kindness has amazed us and touched our lives in a very meaningful way. 

My humble gratitude. Blessings and Peace be with all of you

Fr. Francisco Javier Solis Hinojosa
Pastor St. Joan of Arc, Weslaco, Texas

In 2024, CtR raised funds for Sacred Heart Church in the Diocese of El Paso. It is the oldest church in the city, located literally a few steps from the border. Founded in 1893, Sacred Heart has long served the immigrant, low-income community in the Segundo Barrio, which is now a national historic district. In 1923, the church expanded to meet the growing needs of the community.

Today, the church requires extensive repairs, including restoration of the exterior brick and stonework, an upgrade to the outdated evaporative cooling system, and restoration of the aging woodwork—particularly the large window frames and main doors. The bell tower and the Sacred Heart image atop the roof also require securing, while the restrooms need to be modernized and additional ones added. The church’s flooring needs replacing, and the pews, which have endured the test of time, are in dire need of replacement.

Thanks to the generosity of the Christ the Redeemer parish community, Sacred Heart was able to apply for and receive a prestigious grant from the National Fund for Sacred Places. This grant, which matches the funds raised by the Sacred Heart parish, has brought the church closer to its goal. The restoration project, led by the Executive Committee of Restore Sacred Heart Church and an architectural firm, is set to begin construction later this year. The Sacred Heart community continues to actively fundraise through their parish campaign, which will conclude on the Feast of the Sacred Heart in June 2025. Given the scope of the project, ongoing financial support will be crucial to its completion.

Father Rafael Garcia and the Executive Committee of Restore Sacred Heart Church express their heartfelt gratitude to God and to the many generous donors who have supported this vital restoration effort.
 
Thank you for your generosity! CtR raised $169,752 in support of Sacred Heart parish in El Paso.

In 2023, CtR partnered with Catholic Extension to support the Literacy Wagon program and Migrant Ministry in the Diocese of Yakima, WA. Catholic Extension, a fundraising organization dedicated to ensuring all American Catholics can practice their faith in vibrant communities.

Fr. Jesus Mariscal visited CtR to share the powerful impact of the Literacy Wagon on migrant families and children. You can watch his homily from the 9 a.m. Mass on February 19, 2023, in the video on this page.

One of the children impacted by the Literacy Wagon program is Evelyn, who arrived from Mexico last year. She now attends St. Andrew’s Parish in Ellensburg. This year, 20 children from St. Andrew’s Parish are participating, with their tuition fully covered through the support of the Diocese and the Literacy Wagon program. Thanks to the generosity of the Christ the Redeemer parish community, tuition for these children—covering lunch, instrument usage, and supplies—was completely funded. In addition, the Diocese was able to purchase a recorder for each student, ensuring they had the tools they needed to succeed.

The SLYM (Summer Music Youth Masterclass) program is a two-week music intensive for pre-college students, taught by CWU music students and faculty. It includes sessions on songwriting, ensembles, music reading, world music, and instruments. Open to students in Grades 3-12, the program offers personalized classes based on age and skill level, ensuring every child has the chance to explore music.

Thanks to your generous contributions, the children of migrant farmworkers in the Diocese of Yakima had the opportunity to participate in the SLYM program at CWU. Your support made a lasting impact on their lives through music.

CtR raised $95,023.35 for the Literacy Wagon and Migrant Ministries, and in Summer 2023, CtR staff members and parishioner Carol Hall traveled to Washington to witness firsthand the impact of these programs. You can see the video and hear Carol's testimony on the right-hand side of this page.