Holy Week 2009 was very special for 42 parishioners of St. Anne’s Catholic Church. Typically a mission trip is taken to Matamoras, Mexico with the goal of building houses in the colonials. However due to safety concerns this year, St. Anne’s decided to mission in our own community, Bridge City. Yes, many homes were flooded during hurricane Ike, and still are being repaired. Fr. Manger, the pastor of St. Anne’s became familiar with an organization called South East Texas Interfaith Organization (SETIO) and referred, Mary Mahlie, the chairperson of missions to this organization. After a visit to Bridge City, quickly people and resources were marshaled for this community outreach project. The volunteers ranged in age from 11-74 including; mothers, daughters, fathers, sons, and grandparents and many teenagers. Of course we also had our internal designated “Master Builders”; Tim Sudella, Clint Heartsfield, Joe Mahlie, Vic Soares, and Irl Unru. The groups hung dry wall/taped dry wall, and of course the fun really began when they mudded the dry wall. Three houses and four days later, much progress was seen at each of the houses.

Kat Broussard, Jr. at Kelly H.S.

Fr. Rodell Faller joined the group adding not only his blessings, but an entire day during his busy Holy Week schedule. In the end, over 1050 hours of volunteer work was completed, in 4 days! One of the volunteers said “I thought this was about hanging dry wall, but it was so much more…about community”. Our theme for the week was Matthew 25, “whatever you do for the least of my brothers you do for me”. This new “community of dry wall hangers” was touched by this mission.