St. Brigid Roman Catholic Church
Outreach
St. Brigid Border Outreach group endeavors to serve the poor in Tijuana, Mexico through programs already in place and by developing new programs as our numbers grow. This group was originally an offshoot of the Mission Circle group at St. James Parish in Solana Beach, but has grown to include several different ministries:
Tijuana Construction Project: La Morita
This construction project is for a Catholic mission centered in the La Morita area of southeastern Tijuana. The mission is run by priests in the religious order called the Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI). The group completes whatever work projects are needed at either the main church (Iglesia San Eugenio) or any of the other satellite chapels of the mission. Project activities include painting, carpentry, cement work, landscaping, and other tasks. No construction experience is needed to help out. Wear clothes that can get dirty and bring a sack lunch with water for the day. The group typically goes down the first Saturday of each month to work, but the schedule can vary due to date conflicts so check the on-line calendar.We meet in the St Brigid Church parking lot at 7am to carpool down together, returning around 4:30pm. Wear clothes that can get dirty and bring plenty of water, a sack lunch, ID to cross the border, and work gloves/basic tools if you have them. In order to get a head count for planning the number of carpool vehicles, please contact Mike Ross at micross555@yahoo.com or 619-654-7868 if you are interested in attending a trip. No one has to drive their own vehicle down, but please let us know if you are willing to do so as part of the carpool. And if you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask!
On Saturdays other than the scheduled St Brigid workdays and on Wednesdays, you are also welcome to carpool down to work along with Peter Kopkowski. Contact him directly for coordination at 858-278-8800 or Peter-2@san.rr.com. He would enjoy the company!
Hands Across The Border Catholic Missionaries
Come and learn the building trade while lending a hand to our sister country, Mexico. We pick out families in the Colonias of Tijuana living in the bush and on the streets who are in dire need of simple living quarters. We give a loving Christian hand to them by constructing a very simple, small, and humble home. No construction experience is needed. Tasks will be simple carpentry and be taught to you such as: nailing, framing, sheeting, roofing, painting, landscaping, digging and other things of that nature. Bring a jug of water and documentation (license or passport) to get back across the border. We usually meet around 8:00am in the St. Brigid's parking lot or other agreed upon areas. We return that afternoon between 3pm and 5pm. Please contact Michael A. Duhamel at michael@duhamel.com or 858-353-0900 if you plan on attending so a headcount can be made to plan for work and carpooling. The amount of volunteers has been growing tremendously and unfortunately not everyone can fit in the van. If this occurs and you are unable to attend, you will be first on the list for the next trip. This event is usually on Saturdays, but dates vary, so call Michael or check the calendar for the planned schedule.Casa del Migrante
Casa del Migrante is a shelter house in Tijuana that ministers to immigrants, deportees, and refugees. Run by priests and brothers of the Scalabrinian order, it provides food, shelter, clothing, and most importantly love to people on the move. A group from St. Brigid goes down on a Saturday to help prepare dinner for the migrants and then to sit and share that meal with them. Spanish is helpful but not necessary. Bring bottled water and your driver's license, passport, or other documentation as needed to cross the border. Participants must be 18 years old or be with a parent. The carpool leaves from the St. Brigid parking lot. See the calendar for the dates and times of the next trip! To get a headcount, please contact Matt DeCarolis at mdecarolis@bettzedek.org or 818-487-5209. But if you decide to go at the last minute, you're still welcome to come along. Feel free to call or write with any questions.Casa Hogar de los Niños
Once or twice a month, a small group visits the Casa Hogar de los Niños orphanage in Tijuana. The volunteers spend time with the children on either a one-on-one basis or in group activities, like playing basketball or soccer, taking a walk to church, or visiting the beach. A productive and fun visit can be accomplished without knowing a single word of Spanish beyond "hola!". The age of the kids range from 1 to 21. Visits are on Saturdays, leaving at 9am and returning between 4-5pm. The typical group size is 2-5 people. Trips can be organized around the schedule of the volunteers. Transportation and the carpool meeting location are also flexible. It never hurts to pack a snack and some sun block. If you are interested, please contact Paul Cofrancesco at mrbios@wecandobetter.com or 858-349-7942. For more details, see Paul's website about the trips.Interfaith Coalition for Immigrant Rights
Throughout the year, special events are held around San Diego, the border, and in Tijuana to support the humane treatment of immigrants. Whenever possible, these events are added to the on-line calendar, and a carpool is arranged from the St. Brigid parking lot. Events include: Way of the Cross of the Migrant Jesus, Posada without Borders, conferences, and special masses.Tijuana Construction Project: Corazón de Maria
This project was completed in June of 2003. The Border Outreach group renovated/built a formation house, called the "Corazón de Maria", for Mother Antonia's new order - The Servants of the Eleventh Hour. This order ministers to those in prison and the terminally ill in Tijuana. Mother Antonia has been living in the La Mesa Penitentiary in Tijuana for the almost 30 years in order to minister to the prisoners, guards, and their families.Mother Antonia's amazing life:
LA Times Article
Washington Post Article
Contacting Mother Antonia and the Servants of the Eleventh Hour:
Mother Antonia
c/o Pat Smith
3542 Governor Drive
San Diego, CA 92122
information@servants11th.org
www.eudistservants.org
