Pope Leo Village progresses with diocese’s blessing

The implications are simple and mind-boggling, marveled Fr. John Jirak at the Pope Leo Village ground blessing ceremony on Sept. 10 in Wichita. St. Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians describes Christians as co-workers who collaborate with God in his work and are expected to fulfill their assigned duties. 

“We can actually say that God depends upon us,” said the Diocese of Wichita’s vicar general. “Wow, that’s a huge responsibility, and a great privilege and honor.”

Nevertheless, God takes his people seriously enough to collaborate with them on his divine project of building community. 

“The supernatural level … we call that the Church,” Fr. Jirak said. “But we also know the Church has a physical component, a visible building where people come together.”

The same holds for the Domestic Church, he observed. “The Domestic Church is made up of persons,” he said. “It also requires a dignified place to live out that life.”

Fr. Jirak offered those thoughts during a blessing of the project and families that he led with other diocesan representatives, Mary McDonald with the Office of Respect Life and Social Justice and Garrett Bollinger from the Office of Worship.

The power of community

Launched in July with the help of an anonymous donor who sought to honor the first U.S.-born pontiff, more than 250 Pope Leo Village home rehabilitations are underway in 22 U.S. cities, eight of them in Sedgwick County, reported Wichita Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Danielle Johnson during the Sept. 10 ceremony. Johnson introduced Mallory Collette, who became a homeowner through a partnership with Wichita Habitat for Humanity.

Collette thanked the diocese and everyone who had donated time, talent, and treasure to help put a roof over her head.

“I want to provide a safe, stable foundation for my son,” she said. “I have worked multiple jobs over a year to make this happen, but finding a true, affordable home has always been a challenge. I actually work in the construction industry, so I know exactly how much sweat and hard work goes into building a home.”

What’s happening with Pope Leo Village transcends that, she considered. “It’s about more than the nails, the paint, and the wood standing before us,” she said. “When you step forward and swing a hammer or paint a wall alongside us, you’re showing us the faith in action, what it truly means and looks like.

“You’re showing me and my son the power of a community coming together with a shared purpose to serve others,” she added.