Category: Community News

“We are happiest when we are thinking about someone other than ourselves,” said President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at Safeco Field in Seattle last month. He explained, “This is also why the Church actively engages in humanitarian service around the globe…, our efforts are designed to help all mankind. No shipments are labeled ‘For Latter-day Saints only.’” 

President Nelson continued, “As a Church we need to be doing what the Savior wishes us to do. And as a people we need to be looking and acting like true followers of Jesus Christ.” In keeping with his vision, local leaders have invited city officials to learn more about what we can do as Latter-day Saints in the area to help and to serve.

Rev. Ann Helmke, who is the city’s “Faith Liaison” and heads up the City’s Faith Based Initiative toured the San Antonio Bishop’s Storehouse. Her office was created and funded to to connect the city with faith and secular organizations that serve the needy. She hopes to “fill the gaps” in caring, as connections are made throughout the city.  

Continue reading “City Explores Bishop’s Storehouse for Ministering Opportunities”

There’s a lot of wisdom behind the old adage, “Cleanliness is next to Godliness” and soon the cleanliness will be going mobile. The vision behind going mobile is not just about being clean, it’s about feeling good about yourself according to Antonio Fernandez, the President and CEO of Catholic Charities for the Archdiocese of San Antonio. The 18-foot long trailer, which will be equipped with two shower and bathroom stalls, and two washer and dryer combinations, is getting closer to being a reality in the Alamo city. 

In a meeting with local authorities of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Antonio Fernandez shared his two-year hope of bringing the mobile showers to the homeless in San Antonio. Knowing of the Church’s deep commitment to helping the plight of the homeless, the local authorities put a proposal together for Church leadership to consider. A resounding yes, and a check for the full cost to purchase the trailer and a truck was forthcoming.  Area Seventy, Elder Carlos Villarreal, presented the check to Antonio and Catholic Charities on Tuesday afternoon.

Continue reading “Mobile Relief!”

Referring to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as “a volunteer machine”, District 6 City Councilman Greg Brockhouse encouraged his fellow Council members to reach out to the Church. Every City Councilman gets the opportunity to invite a guest to give the invocation at the opening of City Council meetings. Thursday, September 6th was Councilman Greg Brockhouse’s opportunity to invite someone to pray, and he knew where to turn – ask someone from the “volunteer machine.”

Councilman Brockhouse has been hearing a lot about the Church over the last 18 months and has noted the good that has been going on. Through JustServe projects happening all over the city, and several large donations to help the homeless in the area, many in City Hall have begun to notice. Bishop Bruce Baillio, from the San Pedro Ward, who has been very instrumental in JustServe and helping to facilitate several donations, was asked to give the invocation. 

Noting that the Church is known for it’s emphasis on the family, Councilman Brockhouse asked Bishop Baillio to pray specifically for the family members of those on the city council. Another member of the Church will give an invocation next month. Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf has taught: “In the end, the number of prayers we say may contribute to our happiness, but the number of prayers we answer may be of even greater importance.” The “volunteer machine” is grateful for the recognition received and is ready to continue serving in our community.

By: Peter Hightower, Assistant Media Relations Specialist

Recently, much ado was made over a meeting that took place in Salt Lake City, Utah between the national leadership of the NAACP and the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The meeting was unprecedented for the two groups, but both discovered that they actually have much common ground and many shared values. Most importantly, the meeting in Salt Lake City was not an end to itself but the beginning of what both hope to be a long, fruitful and productive relationship of cooperation.

The first fruits of the new relationship were on full display in the opening session of the NAACP National Convention Sunday evening in San Antonio, Texas. First, Elder Jack N. Gerard of the Quorum of the Seventy addressed the session as one of several introductory speakers. He quoted statements from LDS Church President Russell M. Nelson and NAACP President Derrick Johnson made during their joint press conference following the May meeting. Continue reading “NAACP Kicks Tires on New Partnership with LDS Church at National Convention”

By:  Leisa Parsons, Media Relations Representative

Edifying, inspiring and fun are apt descriptions as you listen to The Debra Bonner Unity Gospel Choir perform. In town at the invitation of the NAACP to perform at their national convention, The Choir also put on two free community concerts this evening at an LDS meetinghouse. “The walls of this LDS Chapel have never seen anything quite like what it saw tonight! Most of us spent the night on our feet clapping and singing along…. Great fun!” said Lynette Williams who attended their later concert. Continue reading “A Message of Love”

By: Peter Hightower, Assistant Media Relations Specialist

He really called it “Liquid Gold”. Eric Cooper, the President and CEO of the San Antonio Food Bank was gathered with a small group of local representatives from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in a back corner of his 210,000 square foot warehouse west of Downtown San Antonio. Bishop Bruce Baillio, who presides over the San Pedro Ward in the San Antonio North Stake of the Church, knew that the donation was significant, after all, 24 pallets of peanut butter filled up an entire tractor-trailer, what he perhaps didn’t realize was how valuable the donation was in reality.

“Peanut butter spreads a long way” Cooper continued (cheesy puns seemed to come naturally for the young-ish CEO), “it is actually our number one needed product and one of the most expensive items in our inventory.” He went on to explain the unique value of peanut butter as a shelf-stable, high protein product that is easy to store and distribute. Children are the primary consumer of peanut butter and it is an ideal staple for preparing a quick, easy, non-cooked meal without a parent’s involvement. During the hot summer months, when many kids are home alone, an older brother or sister can easily slap together a few sandwiches for their younger siblings to hold them over until dinner. Continue reading “LDS Church Donates 19,000 jars of Peanut Butter to San Antonio Food Bank”

Standing before a crowd of city officials, religious leaders, and citizens, Elder Carlos Villarreal of the Quorum of the Seventy highlighted several fundamental beliefs of the LDS Church while participating in San Antonio’s “Day of Reflection,” an interfaith event commemorating the city’s founding by Spanish missionaries 300 years earlier. “We proclaim to the world that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children,” declared Elder Villarreal, and emphasized the Church’s belief in the divine mission of Jesus Christ. “His way is the only path that leads to real and lasting happiness in this life . . . and to eternal life in the world to come.” His short address concluded with a “blessing upon all of you, that we may continue in faith to go forth and bless all of our Father in Heaven’s children.” Continue reading “Mormons in San Antonio’s Day of Reflection”