The Mexican Relief Mission began approximately seven years ago when my wife Gerry and I made our first trip across the border into Matamoros, Mexico, a city of one million people. We quickly realized that there was a great need to help the poor families of the colonias and those who live in the dump in deplorable conditions. We were told by a tour guide that we could help by providing school supplies and clothing etc. During our first year we received donations from our family and friends and took what we could carry with us. That was not enough! The following year we again accepted donations from family, friends, a few parishioners and organizations. We slowly began to realize we had a problem shipping the goods. Then one of our summer parishioners from Connecticut offered to ship any amount and anything we had to their Brownsville, Texas warehouse free of charge. We are extremely grateful to this company.

All cartons are marked for their final destination. A friend of ours in Texas picks up the cartons and delivers them across the border to the areas designated until we get there. We work with three churches in Mexico and the DIF (Desarollo Integral de la Familia) the Mexican welfare organization. We ship to Father Benjamin who takes care of the dump and the lagunas, Father Roberto who takes care of the outlying colonias and to Father Sosa who cares for the inner city poor. We also work very closely with DIF to take care of the general populace and their orphanage. Another destination for the donations is Our Lady Star of the Sea thrift shop for the working poor in Texas itself where they can purchase clothing, shoes, kitchen utensils, small appliances etc. for very little money, often a whole bag of clothes for one dollar. The inexpensive cost allows them to keep their pride and the small amount of money goes to the CCD program for peanut butter and jam for snacks for the children attending religious education.

We have received everything from a toothbrush to bicycles, clothing, school supplies, medical supplies, toys, coloring books, crayons, baby cloths and equipment, wheelchairs, walkers etc. in the amount of several tons per year. Several parishioners have provided wonderful cartons in which to ship these goods. One year we received an unusual one time donation of 2000 brand new men’s work shirts from one our summer parishioners from New York. Many phone calls later and with a lot of extra time, effort and cost on the part of this man and his wife enabled many Mexican men to have excellent, beautiful and durable shirts that will last a long time.

While in Texas three years ago, we accepted a complete dentist’s office that we trucked across the border to DIF who set it up in their complex. The poor Mexican people now have access to free dental care provided five days a week by different dentists who give of their time. Another project is building an orphanage that will eventually house 70 boys and 70 girls but is slow going due to the lack of funds. Any cash donations that we receive are put to one side and used for medical attention and supplies and also to purchase food for them at their grocery stores in the city.

All of this is made possible because of the generosity of the parishioners at St. Mary’s and St. James, family, friends and organizations that have helped us to continue this mission.
We are humbled and thankful to all.

Deacon Paul and Gerry Theroux

St. Mary's Parish Stewardship Program