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“Affordable home ownership is at a crisis,” said Jim Killoran, executive director of Habitat of Westchester. “The pope is an international leader whose call for all faiths to help those in poverty be lifted up, mirrors our theology of the hammer – that all should go to bed at night in a simple, decent home, no matter what faith.”
Habitat’s work to rebuild a home at 124 High St. in Yonkers started Friday and will continue through Sunday, Sept. 27. Dubbed the “Pope Francis House,” the property was brought out of foreclosure with help from the city of Yonkers and a private donor.
“Today, it’s magnificent,” said Monsignor Dennis Keane, pastor of Holy Family Church of New Rochelle and honorary chair of the Pope Francis House campaign. “Looking at it, you see the new beginnings. You see something; that human labor is going to produce a wonderful habitat for a family to live in, to enjoy, to grow – to grow as a family and also to grow closer to our Lord.”
Killoran said anyone can volunteer by coming to the house, where work is under way from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
After all Masses this weekend, two parishes – Holy Family and St. Joseph’s of Bronxville – raised money by selling 2-by-4s that will be used in the house.
“The recipients of the house will get to see how many strangers contributed financially and spiritually to the build,” said Antoinette Gilligan, director of youth ministry at St. Joseph’s. “It is a wonderful way for our congregation, young and old, to feel part of this special service project.”
The pope is scheduled to arrive Thursday in New York City and leave Saturday for Philadelphia. While in New York, he is to address the U.N. General Assembly, lead a multifaith service at the Sept. 11 memorial in Manhattan and celebrate Mass at Madison Square Garden.
For more information on the Pope Francis House, e-mail Killoran at jim@habitatwc.org, call 914-403-4821 or visit Habitat’s website.
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