Habitat for Humanity: Supporting the Common Good of All

from St. Benedict Cathedral Newsletter — April 2022

The Building and Grounds Committee: Good Stewards of Our Property and Resources

In the Gospels, we learn much about the roots of our Catholic social teaching directly from Jesus. He frequently taught the importance of helping the poor and treating everyone with the dignity that is given to them by God. We are called to seek the common good and well-being of all. We are also called to be missionaries in our communities and bring Christ to others outside the walls of our homes and church, providing a living example of what a good Christian life looks like by loving and serving others.

One such program that combines these two important aspects of our faith — the Catholic social teaching of supporting the common good of all, and living a life of stewardship and witness to our faith — is Habitat for Humanity.

Longtime parishioner Steve Titzer is very involved in the Evansville chapter of Habitat for Humanity — he served as a board member for 28 years and has been a part of the finance committee as well.

“As a CPA (certified public accountant), I was involved in many nonprofits over the years,” Steve says. “Of all of those, Habitat for Humanity stuck with me because of the value that it brings to the community. I have seen firsthand how this program affects the lives of those that it benefits.”

Habitat for Humanity uses a model that doesn’t simply gift a home to a family — they apply for the home and must meet the requirements. The families that live in these homes have a 25-year to 30-year no-interest mortgage. They commit to 300-plus hours of sweat equity working on their own homes, as well as other homes in the community. They attend classes for financial planning and maintaining a home.

“We see time and again how this provides a better family environment for the people who move into these homes,” Steve says. “Children’s grades improve along with the quality of life of the families. It is one of the most effective ways to break the cycle of generational poverty. I believe that this is truly where we need to make an impact.”

The Evansville chapter of Habitat for Humanity has built over 500 homes in the area. Recently, they completed the St. Theresa Place, a 14-lot build site on the former site of the St. Theresa Parish and School. After the closing and tearing down of the church and school, it is a legacy of stewardship for the Catholic community of the area to have a neighborhood of homes for families in need of support. This supports the culture of life and respect for the dignity of all our communities.

“There are many opportunities to volunteer within the organization,” Steve says. “You can help on the build sites. If you don’t know anything about construction, they will teach you. There are also many opportunities for volunteering with office work or clerical support. Our volunteer coordinator can help someone find a way to be involved.”

Stewardship begins in the parish and extends beyond the church. Reaching out into our communities to volunteer and serve is what Jesus calls us to do.

“It is our obligation to serve all people no matter their faith or religion,” Steve says. “We have a responsibility to serve all and this is one way to seek them out in a manner that is wellaligned with our Catholic faith.”