Catholic Daughters break ground on Habitat for Humanity home

Catholic Daughters of the Americas Texas State held its seventh Habitat for Humanity Build, Ground Blessing and Raising of the Walls Ceremony on Saturday, Sept. 20 at 2818 Soledad St. in Corpus Christi. National Regent Shirley Seyfried presented a check for $25,000 from Catholic Daughters of the Americas national headquarters to State Regent Eve Trevino for the Texas build.

The first Texas CDA build was in Corpus Christi in 2004 under the direction of Trevino when she served as the State Chairman for the Habitat for Humanity build.

CDA district deputies, state chairmen and CDA members from all over Texas were present for the blessing and raising of the walls. Father Bob Dunn, pastor at Most Precious Blood in Corpus Christi and state CDA Chaplain, and Father Patrick Donohoe, Chancellor for the Diocese of Corpus Christi, blessed the foundation and building material to be used for the build.

All dignitaries participated in “breaking ground” with shovels in hand and hard hats. The four walls of the home went up quickly with everyone working diligently to get as much possible done.

Trevino set five Texas State Court goals for her 2015-2017 term. One of the five goals is "Build a Habitat for Humanity Home for a Deserving Family." Trevino's theme is also "Everything is possible to the one who has Faith (Mk 9:23)."

Texas State Habitat for Humanity Chairman Minnie Dennis opened the ceremony with a welcome and Father Dunn led the crowd in prayer. Mayor Nelda Martinez brought a warm welcome and greetings from the city and wished the build well.

City councilwoman Colleen McIntyre presented the CDA Seyfried with the key to the City. She also congratulated all involved with the HFH build.

CDA dignitaries on the platform were Seyfried, First Vice National Regent Olga Samaniego, El Paso; Trevino; Dennis; Father Dunn; Father Donohoe, Chancellor for the Diocese of Corpus Christi; Habitat for Humanity executive director Barb Sweeney, Councilwoman McIntyre and Mayor Martinez.

Texas State CDA Officers First State Vice Regent Rosie Stockwell, Edinburg; Second State Vice Regent Melody Brundt, Texarkana; State Recording Secretary Rebecca Brown, Angleton; and State Treasurer Terri Beltran, El Campo, joined the dignitaries. Also present were past state regents Libby Ramirez; Duchess Collins; Sheila Martinka; and Carolyn Malik.

The build will continue through April 2016. CDA members are asked to help daily and especially during the weekends. For more information contact Davis at (361) 658-4709 or [email protected] or Patsy Cantu at (361) 215-6322 or [email protected].

Photos by Mellie Smithwick