By Leisa Parsons, Area Media Specialist
The newest member of the Catholic Charities Mobile relief fleet was introduced today. “Faith” the Mobile Shower Trailer will travel around San Antonio and surrounding areas. It is equipped with two shower and restroom stalls along with a washer and dryer. It will provide much needed services from refreshing bodies, reviving spirits and renewing dignity.
Elder Carlos Villarreal, Area Seventy, of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, spoke at the press-conference to introduce the Shower Trailer. He said, “It is great to partner with the Archdiocese of San Antonio and Catholic Charities. It has been a wonderful team effort, to be able to work together to bless the lives of many.”
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has recognized the wonderful services that Catholic Charities provides to the underserved in our community and has partnered with Catholic Charities on several service opportunities. Catholic Charities’ CEO, Antonio Fernandez, who had envisioned the benefits of a shower trailer, shared his vision last year with local leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ. Shortly after the CEO’s vision was shared with the Church, a check for the cost of the truck and trailer was presented by Elder Villarreal.
Elder Villarreal, who has recently studied about the life of George Washington Carver, mentioned that he may be known for his efforts in education, or what he was able to do with a common peanut. “However, I remember him, and you epitomize this, because he said, ‘Every human being owes it to himself to leave the soil richer than when he found it. Everyone ought to leave the woodpile a little higher when he leaves than when he came.’ And as I read those words of George Washington Carver, I thought to myself, this is what all of you are doing for this community.”
In introducing the Shower Trailer, Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller said: “Those of us who have homes, showers, clothes and food, must remember that we all have come from God and that we are called to be generous to the least among us. Let today be one more step on the road towards goodness in our world.”
After the press-conference, the Faith Shower Trailer was formally dedicated by the Archbishop. During the dedicatory prayer, the Archbishop prayed, “…that the undertaking we begin today, for your glory, may progress day by day to a successful completion in the service of the least of your children. May those who will use this shower trailer be restored in the spirit and in body and forever praise your mercy.”
Elder Villarreal mentioned that when people say “thank you” for what we are doing for them, he always tell them, “we are only doing for you what we know you would do for us if the roles were reversed…. Almost 2,000 years ago, someone known as Jesus of Nazareth began His ministry. He did for others what they could not do for themselves by taking our sins upon Him.” Elder Villarreal went on to say that Christ gave us the charge “that we should go forth and love our neighbor as ourselves.”
The Faith trailer joins the Hope Mobile, Catholic Charities’ mobile kitchen and pantry. The back of the Faith trailer was decorated with artwork provided by Primary aged children from The Church of Jesus Christ’s San Antonio North Stake. The lyrics from a popular Latter-day Saint children’s song perfectly describes Faith, “Faith is like a little seed, if planted it will grow.” The efforts of the Trailer will grow and bless the lives of many in and around San Antonio.