Mission Needs
$1000 sponsors a missionary for one year
$500 builds the shell of a small home
$200 puts a roof on the house
$100 pays for cement for the house
$50 buys a window
$20 helps the current greatest need
$10 contributes to St. Anthony Bread.
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How To Build A Church |
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St. Francis
Early in St. Francis of Assisi's conversion, the image on a cross spoke to him telling him to "Go, rebuild My church." At first, Francis thought this meant to build with actual brick and mortar. For Francis this wasn't exactly what God had in mind. But for you the meaning my be very clear. You can do what many people dream of doing: build a Church |
A church takes shape. The presence of the church identifies the location as being Catholic. The land is donated. |
Why
The ideology of building churches is to help people who do not have the means to build a place to worship God from their own resources. These locations are usually away from urban areas in mountainous, secluded regions. The church structure identifies the area with Catholicism and brings Christ to remote geographic areas.
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Construction is done by local residents. The work gives them an income to provide for their families.
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How
The land is donated. The local community approaches the Bishop and requests approval for the construction of the church using the materials donated through the Franciscan Missions. So that the people have a sense of ownership, local talent is used as much as possible in actual construction which also provides an income to support families. |
Each church is made of brick and mortar. The steel reinforcing makes the church earth-quake resistant. |
The Building
Each church is constructed of brick, mortar and steel. Seating capacity is approximately 150 people. The cost of construction includes a, washroom and small office for the visiting priest. Furnishings include pews, altar, crucifix, bell, memorial plaque and mosaic above the front entrance and other items related to the celebration of the Sacraments. The church building doubles as a place for prayer and educational activity. |
Completed church interior. Each church can seat approximately 150 worshippers. |
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Rivo Torto, a finished, appointed church in Ecuador.Thus far donors have built churches in: the Amazon Region, Zambia, Papua New Guinea, Galapagos Islands, Burundi, Guinea Bissau, Albania, Columbia, Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru. Donors who decide to build a church in Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru or Albania have the opportunity of choosing the name of the Church. |
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Crucifix |
Church Bell |
Stained Glass Window |
Church Entrance |
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To the poor in developing countries, having a place to pray to their God is very important. The cost to construct this sacred place is $30,000 to $60,000 (country and location determine cost) an unbelievable figure in our economy. Less expensive labor and material costs allow us to build at this very affordable sum |
Church Pews |
Church Altar |
Church Office |
Dedication Plaque |
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Our Missionaries
The Franciscans have 5,400 missionaries and 800 missions throughout the world. They serve the poor in every continent, following in the steps of St. Francis, with a special ministry to people with leprosy, many of whom are children.
In Need of Prayer
Queen Elizabeth II has awarded three people from Aitape, Papua New Guinea high honors. Bishop Austen Crapp, OFM, with Commander of the Order of the British Empire (C.B.E.), Archbishop Sir Brian Barnes, OFM with Knight Commander of the Order of St. Michael and St. George (G.C.M.G.) and Mr. Robert Parer with Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (K.B.E.) All served with distinction in the 1998 tsunami which destroyed five villages and killed 2200 people.
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