MADISON — For the first time, a cluster of Madison area Catholic parishes is sponsoring and building a home with Habitat for Humanity of Dane County.
The parishes of St. Bernard, Middleton; St. Martin of Tours, Martinsville; St. Peter, Ashton; and St. Thomas Aquinas, Madison, will sponsor the project. Construction is expected to begin in the Spring of 2010.
“While many Catholics have been involved in Habitat for Humanity projects, this will be the first all-Catholic build in the state of Wisconsin,” noted building co-chair Wendy Hansen.
“With the leadership of St. Bernard’s Church, our cluster will make history. Thankfully, we have the good will of the people, the energy, and the God-given talent and treasure to do this wonderful project.”
Project activities
The cluster has already sponsored a family informational meeting seeking out possible families to partner with for the build.
The group is also planning several fundraisers including a garage sale on Saturday, July 25, at St. Bernard Parish, Middleton.
Parish members of the cluster churches are encouraged to volunteer to help with this important project. The next meeting will be Monday, July 27, at St. Bernard Church in Middleton at 7 p.m. For more information contact Wendy at 608-204-9227 or whansen55@msn.com or Barb at 608-831-1281 or broberts@tds.net.
Anyone interested in donating to the build can mail a check to: Habitat Church Build, 7632 Heather Knoll Ln., Verona, WI 53593. Checks should be made payable to Habitat Church Build.
Committee members
Habitat building committee and parish representatives of the all-Catholic cluster build are: Wendy Hansen and Barb Roberts, co-chairs; Steve Sponem and Kris Nolden, treasurers; Rod Nilles and Brad Acker, volunteer coordinators; Jennifer Ludtke, St. Thomas Aquinas liaison; Loren Imhoff, in-kind donors and tradespeople; Joan Pregler, marketing; Dick Roberts, photographer; Ron Endres, family mentoring; Sherri Endres, secretary and ministry of prayer; and Sr. Anna Marie Stadler, St. Bernard Church liaison.
Habitat for Humanity of Dane County provides simple, decent, affordable housing for families who might not otherwise become homeowners. Eligible families pay monthly mortgage payments on a zero percent interest loan and contribute 350 hours of sweat equity in the building of their homes and an additional 25 hours helping other Habitat homeowners build their homes. For more information, call 608-255-1549 or visit www.habitatdane.org