The 2022 Tijuana Mission trip was once again a success. The tavelers made their way down to Maria Inmaculada Parish in the La Morita area on the outskirts of Tijuana, about 20 miles from the US border. There they built two homes for families in need and left their mark of God’s love that will have a multigenerational impact on the families forever.
Since 2005, BASICS (Brothers and Sisters in Community Service) and the Tijuana Ministry have been providing an immersion experience to build homes for families in dire need and minister to women, children and teens in Tijuana’s La Morita area.
Out of an abundance of caution we limited the 2022 trip to house construction only – we hope to offer the women, children and teens programs again in the summer of 2023.
For questions contact Joan Mibach here or visit the BASICS website here.
As expressed in our parish Pastoral Plan, parishioners of St. Simon shall commit to social justice and we will root our faith in concrete action. Since 2005 the Tijuana Ministry has been providing an immersion experience to build homes for families in dire need and minister to women, children and teens in Tijuana’s La Morita area.
The Tijuana construction projects include building houses for families in desperate need. These families are selected by the parish of St. Eugenio in Tijuana. Houses are 16″ x 32″ and include 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom and a living area.
The mother’s program is aimed at building relationships and community. Many of the families in this Tijuana parish are from diverse places, and may not know each other well. The mother’s program was developed to help build a sense of community among the mothers. In addition to craft projects, the mother’s program also provid some lessons on hygiene, nutrition, finance, relationships and catechism.
The children’s program in centered on providing children in the area with safe, fun activities, as well as some educational content and catechism. We also provid the children with a snack each day, and some donated toys at the end of the week. Typically over 200 children attend this week long camp.
This programs is provided for local teens who spend much of their day tending to their younger siblings as their parents work. We provide activities and teach craft ideas that the families can sell at the local outdoor markets.
As part of the Social Justice ministry, our mission group attempts to learn about local conditions and interact and gain understanding of the local residents. As part of this, we visite various sites like the memorial at the US/Mexican Border, and Casa del Migrante, a homeless shelter for migrants and recently deported men. We also attend mass with the community and host discussions with local families.
For more information, please contact members of our Outreach and Social Justice Council at faithjustice@stsimon.org, or visit the Tijuana Ministry http://www.tijuanaministry.com/
In the beginning was the Word; the Word was in God’s presence, and the Word was God. God was present from the beginning. Through God all things come into being and apart from God nothing came into being.
From the Gospel of John, 1: 1-2
