St. Philopateer Fellowship: Summer Service Trip to Pharr, TX

June 5 – 11, 2010

“And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these

My brethren, you did it to Me.’” – Matthew 25:40

Click icon to add picture Where we’re going

Pharr, TX is located on the border of the United States and Mexico

Average monthly temperatures

Click icon to add picture

Expect highs over 90º and lows around 75º

Who we’re serving withWe will be serving at

St. George’s Orthodox Church in Pharr, TX. St. George is led by Father Antonio Perdomo & his wife Matushka Elizabeth.

St. George is a member of the Orthodox Church of America, under the auspices of Archbishop Dmitri of Dallas, TX.

Tentative Schedule Saturday, June 5, 2010

◦ Depart Dallas at X am. Arrive in Pharrat X pm

Sunday, June 6, 2010◦ Divine Liturgy at X am. ◦ XX

Monday, June 7, 2010◦ Construction in Colonias // Casa

Amparo? Tuesday, June 8, 2010

◦ Sorting food pantry donations // Construction?

Wednesday, June 9, 2010◦ Distributing food pantry donations

Thursday, June 10, 2010◦ Construction in Colonias

Friday, June 11, 2010◦ Depart for Dallas at X am

June 2010

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Tentative Cost (Per Person)

$100-$150 mini bus

rental

$100 lodging &

food

$50 food pantry &

orphanage donations

$250-$300

Your $150 deposit will secure the mini-bus rental and buy donated gifts for the food pantry and girls’ orphanage.

Who can go?The first 20 people who turn in a deposit of

$150 will be able to go on the service trip.

The trip is open first and foremost to members of St. Philopateer. If fewer than 20 people from St. Philopateer choose to participate, the trip will be opened up to members of St. Mary and St. Abanoub.

Important dates

Deposit due; April 1, 2010last day to register

Mandatory information May 19 & 22, 2010meeting (attend 1 of 2)

Donation organization Date TBA meeting

What we’re doing – Food pantry

St. George’s Food Pantry distributes food to low-income families in Hidalgo County, TX.

We will organize food donations and aid with distribution of food pantry goods when the pantry opens to the public.

What we’re doing – Construction in colonias

As of 2007, 44% of Hidalgo County’s children live in poverty. We will be helping to alleviate some of the strain of poverty by constructing and repairing homes in the county’s poorest neighboorhoods (called colonias).

“But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.” – I John 3:17-18

What we’re doing – Casa Amparo a la Mujer (House of Mercy for Women)

Casa Amparo is a Catholic shelter for abandoned girls in Reynoso, Mexico (across the border from Pharr). We will compile donations for the girls, and depending on the border’s level of safety, may visit the shelter.

Padre Antonio & Madre Natividad

What to bring Bible & Agpeya Refillable water bottle

(preferably with shoulder strap) Hat Sunglasses Sunscreen Insect repellant Sturdy work shoes Loose-fitting, comfortable work

clothes (pack light layers) Swimsuit Towel Bedding (?) Travel-sized toiletries Necessary medication(s)Optional: Camera Cell phone and charger Small daypack

Video games Portable DVD players Laptop Jewelry Valuables Dressy clothes &

shoes Large toiletries Multiple and/or bulky

bags Alcohol Illegal drugs and/or

drug paraphernalia

What NOT to bring

How to sign upComplete the

following sign-up sheet and send it to me at 2600 Millstream Drive, Plano, TX 75075 or give it to me in person (no email, I need signatures).

Make a $150 deposit or pay in full with cash or personal check.

Click for sign-up sheet

ResourcesSt. George Orthodox Church

Casa Amparo a la Mujer

Orthodox liturgical materials in Spanish

About Hidalgo County