BANGOR---This summer, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Bangor will begin work on the 18th home the organization has built or renovated for a local family in need.
For the first time, however, the entire project is being funded by another entity: St. Paul the Apostle Parish (St. John Church, Bangor; St. Mary Church, Bangor; St. Joseph Church, Brewer; St. Teresa Church, Brewer; St. Matthew Church, Hampden; St. Gabriel Church, Winterport).
“More than 100 parish families made gifts, ranging from $100 to $10,000,” said Fr. Timothy Nadeau, pastor of St. Paul the Apostle Parish. “Together, we raised $140,790 to create a lovely home for a deserving family. Every sacrifice makes our parish stronger and more connected to our mission.”
The new home will be built on Ohio Street in Bangor on land donated by the parish and Mt. Pleasant Catholic Cemetery.
The Habitat for Humanity of Greater Bangor’s family selection committee and board of directors have announced that Michelle Kessler of Bangor, and her young daughter, will become the partner family for the home.
“I was both excited and shocked,” said Michelle. “I was beginning to lose hope of finding an affordable home after years of living in a small apartment with mold issues and second-hand cigarette smoke from neighboring tenants.”
Both the mold and smoke have aggravated her daughter’s asthma. Kessler is a single mother who works full time.
“There are hard-working people who just can’t afford to own a home with a traditional mortgage,” said Kessler. “Habitat offers a hand up and not a hand out. I feel so blessed to have this opportunity. My daughter and I will finally have a home of our very own with a backyard for her to play in.”
The Kessler family, like all Habitat partner families, will purchase the home with a $500 down payment after completing 200 hours of “sweat equity” per adult. Kessler will work alongside many volunteers from St. Paul the Apostle Parish who are eager to help make her new home a reality. Once construction is complete, the family will pay an affordable mortgage.
The collaboration comes in the Holy Year of Mercy, declared by Pope Francis to inspire all to show mercy and compassion as we have experienced if from God. Through corporal and spiritual works of mercy, the human and sacred worth of each person is acknowledged.
“This is a project of great impact, and you, the contributors should be appropriately proud,” Fr. Nadeau wrote in a letter to project donors. “I know I am.”
For more information about the project or to volunteer, contact the parish office at (207) 217-6740.