Walking with Hurting Families: Saint Theresa of the Infant Jesus Catholic Church

February 10, 2021

By Angel Barrera

EDCOUCH - Father Pat Seitz arrived at the community of St. Theresa of the Infant Jesus Church in Edcouch and its mission Our Lady of Guadalupe in La Villa in June 2020, welcomed back home by many to continue his priestly ministry. Like many pastors beginning a new assignment, he faced the challenge of getting to know local families, their gifts, and their challenges. This task was significantly complicated by the effects of the pandemic and localized flooding related to Hurricane Hanna last year. He sought creative ways to rise above these obstacles and to reach out to local families, arranging a walkthrough of neighborhoods to encounter people face to face - masks and all. 

Parish Suffers Major Income Loss

This parish, like most throughout the Rio Grande Valley, has struggled financially to respond to the economic challenges posed by not having a regular Sunday collection and being forced to cancel their annual parish festivals. As a recipient of grant money from the RGV COVID Crisis Response Fund, the parish has been able to address emergency repairs and is hoping to secure additional support for overhead expenses to keep the parish and its mission operating. 

Father Pat says the Catholic Church plays an important role in this community to help advocate for the people and to meet their needs. He says, “You walk with these families in the pain and suffering that they’re going through...” Father Pat is working with local organizations to address the concerns that impact the well-being of local families. 

This includes helping local families that also face other challenges related to economic instability, uncertainty about immigration, and precarious health issues. While parish funds are limited, Father Pat has been able to support some of the families with financial assistance needed because of unemployment due to layoffs, or caregiving for sick family members. 

Bishop Flores Leads Crisis Response Effort

Bishop Daniel Flores has invited local business owners, executives, professionals, companies, and foundations to join a group called the Builders Circle and to contribute to the RGV COVID Crisis Response Fund of the Love Builds Hope Campaign. Funds will be directed through the Love Builds Hope Foundation to parishes, schools, Catholic Charities of the RGV and to the Catholic Diocese of Brownville in support of ministry and community services. The initial response has been tremendous, with pledges already exceeding $1.2 million. Together, the Builders Circle is making a direct difference in the lives of people through local parishes such as Saint Theresa of the Infant Jesus Catholic Church in Edcouch and actively supporting the work in their local communities led by pastors like Father Pat.