Pope Francis 'Habitat'

When you speak to Benedictine Sister Jane Michele McClure about Habitat for Humanity, it is easy to recognize how excited she is about this important ministry and why she is so passionate about it. The Benedictine Sisters are all about stability, humility, discipline, and a steady, measured life –all of which ties into the way Habitat works.

Sister Jane Michele has been the Major Gifts Officer for Habitat for Humanity of Evansville for 10 years, and she recently received the Vanderburgh Community Foundation’s Spirit of Giving Award for her hard work, dedication and philanthropy. She told The Message she was honored and overwhelmed when she learned she would receive the award.

During Sister Jane’s service to the organization, nearly 200 Habitat homes have been built. “Catholics for Habitat have been involved in the community for a long time,” she said. “Habitat for Humanity has helped make a difference – for many people and for many families. We are one of the top 10 builders in the area. If you think about it, you may realize that the only new homes in inner-city areas of Evansville are those built by Habitat.” 

Participation from the Evansville community has been key in the success of the builds. Local groups support each other’s efforts by mapping properties the groups own, sharing information regarding future opportunities to grow communities as clusters, and by attending events and ribbon cuttings. They see advocacy as their core value because substandard housing is morally unacceptable. While the mission of Habitat is to put God’s love into action, and people are brought together to build homes, communities and hope, their global mission is to create a world where everyone has a decent place to live.

Guidelines for Habitat’s recipients include a need for housing, ability to pay and a willingness to partner. In the eyes of God, there is no difference between workers and recipients. It’s an equal partnership. Everyone is a child of God in this venture of building the kingdom. 

This year, Evansville is one of several cities around the country blessed by the generosity of an anonymous benefactor who is funding a series of “Pope Francis” Habitat homes.

Sister Jane Michele describes the Evansville Pope Francis Habitat build as a fascinating story. The anonymous donor contacted the executive director of a Habitat affiliate another state to request that a Pope Francis home be built in Evansville.

Students from Mater Dei and Reitz Memorial High Schools, along with students from the University of Southern Indiana and the University of Evansville, were asked to work on the home alongside the core crew. Football teams from both high schools gathered at the work site and read quotes from the Holy Father before beginning their tasks.

They listened carefully and seriously to instructions and, with a cardboard cut-out of Pope Francis by their sides, began to hammer and drill, and build the foundation walls for the home. Many had not swung a hammer before. Many had not worked on a group effort of this magnitude. They all, however, will be able to pass by the home and know they were a part of it. They know what it’s like to spread the message of Pope Francis – that we must help others and be compassionate.

The Stephen Ralph family is the partner family for the Pope Francis home. Ralph has experienced homelessness, and he has overcome struggles. He has worked diligently to provide a stable and secure life for his son.

Ralph is now the Director of Anti-Poverty Initiatives at the Evansville Christian Life Center – the same organization that helped him get back on his feet. He is excited about being a homeowner and becoming permanently rooted to the community when the Pope Francis home is dedicated in September.

“Stephen has been a great spokesperson for Habitat,” Sister Jane Michele said, “and he has shown how good things can happen by sticking to good choices – especially with all the challenges that he has faced.” 

For more information, visit http://evansvillehabitat.org.