Cameron Colonias
In late October 2002, the Missions of Mercy task force consisting of State Regent, Dee Scheetz, Chairman Lillian Hansen, Co-Chairman Cathy Bittner and assisted by District Deputy Estela Ramirez of Los Fresnos, visited with Father Michael Seifert, pastor of the San Felipe De Jesus Catholic Church in the Cameron Colonias at Brownsville. To say the need is great would be an understatement. Since 1996, Father Mike has ministered to over 1100 families who live in poor housing; making minimum wages, if any; where there is constant fear of bad elements (even the church has bars on the doors and windows) and where firemen and police sometimes find it impossible to do their job because of lack of roads into parts of the Colonia.
Against all odds, there is now a free clinic in the parish. We also met Brother Albert Phillip who is the administrator of social services. For an immediate response for help, we have listed their needs below. Our future visits will fine-tune this list and perhaps set up a schedule when specific items needed at specific times can be fulfilled at the same time by all of the courts all over the state.
Donations
Checks should be made payable to:SAN FELIPE DE JESUS CHARITY ACCOUNT Social Services San Felipe De Jesus Catholic Church P. O. Box 8093 Brownsville, Texas 78526.
Parcels should be sent by UPS to:
San Felipe de Jesus Catholic Church 2215 Rancho Viejo Brownsville, Texas 78526.
Do not send :
- food (they have food bank set up locally)
- underwear
- makeup
- old shoes
- winter clothes
Do send:
- Infant’s and children’s clothing (new or very clean, gently used)
- children’s shoes
- kids books
- toys
- legos
- crayolas (new or used)
- coloring books
- chess sets (the kids are good at this)
- laundry soap
- hand soap
- shampoo
- toothpaste and toothbrushes
- bed linens
- fabrics for sewing
- thread, embroidery yarn
- school supplies
- mesh backpacks (not plastic)
- over the counter medicines
- vitamins
- Rosaries
- Holy Cards
- Bibles in Spanish (Biblia Americalatina con Letra Grande)
They could use
- Pedal sewing machines
- Computers that work
- Laser printers (Ink jet is too costly to service)
- Travel trailer in good condition (to use as home)
Please keep track of what your court is doing and send the information to:
Lillian Hansen Chairman Missions of Mercy 717 Hoskins El Campo, Texas 77437