Evansville Diocese Bishop Joseph Siegel is blessing the site of a future Habitat for Humanity Home, before the gathered crowd.
“And so we ask for God's blessing on this effort, on this home and this land and all of our work to be kept safe and bring it to fruition,” he said. “The name of the Father and the Son of the Holy Spirit …”
He sprinkles holy water over the dirt and shovels placed for the ceremonial groundbreaking.
On Thursday, Habitat for Humanity of Evansville held a groundbreaking for a future home in the Fulton Terrace Neighborhood. This home was sponsored by the Catholic Diocese of Evansville, and member parishes.
While various Catholic charities raise funds for a habitat house every year, 2025 is the first time the actual Diocese and parishes directly raised the $100,000 to build a home.
The theme this year is “Pilgrims of Hope” set by Pope Francis.
Siegel said the theme is basically proclaiming the hope in Jesus Christ, “the one by His death and resurrection, the source of our hope, and then for making that concrete in actions of mercy, of service, of giving. And so this (project) worked perfectly into this, this year of hope.”
In about six months the home will be for Mi’Kyla Sheriff and her young daughter, a toddler.
“I love sharing my space with her,” Sheriff said, “But she needs her own space to run around and play, so I'm grateful to have a place we can call our home.”
Siegel said such signs of hope are needed. “I think we need signs of our community coming together to help one another,” he said.
Siegel said the Diocese as an organization donated $50,000 to the effort, and the individual 45 parishes raised the other $50,000.
Sheriff will purchase the home with a 0-percent interest loan after completing 300 hours of sweat equity on their home, and the homes of others.
Habitat applicants must demonstrate a need for housing and the ability to pay. Financial literacy training is included.
More on the Habitat program here
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