Pope Francis Habitat House
PoP parishioner Bruce Grasso (right) stands with Gabby Coleman and daughter Tremayah Sanders in front of their new home. Photo courtesy Laura Skellie.
Prince of Peace Catholic Church is one of 15 Catholic churches, schools and organizations that came together during Lent to build the first Pope Francis Habitat for Humanity House in the Birmingham area. These Pope Francis Habitat homes are springing up across the country to honor Pope Francis for his commitment to social justice and reinvigorating the Catholic Church. An anonymous donor inspired the Birmingham project with a large donation of seed money.
When PoP parishioner and Habitat for Humanity veteran volunteer Bruce Grasso brought the project to the attention of Prince of Peace Church, Pastor John Fallon was supportive of it and eager for the parish to participate. Grasso organized the PoP effort, signing up many PoP volunteers and working as the liaison between Habitat for Humanity and the parish.
“Prince of Peace is a community-minded parish,” Grasso said. “All skill levels were represented, from folks with construction experience to beginners. This level of involvement speaks to a real concern for others’ well-being, and we look forward to projects of this nature in the future.”
Habitat for Humanity dedicated the home on April 1, and Grasso handed the keys to the home’s new owner, Gabby Coleman, and her daughter Tremayah Sanders.
According to Habitat Birmingham, over 300 volunteers gave more than 2,100 hours of service, and local financial support totaled $43,500.
