Celebrating hospitality and love of neighbor at St. Stephen’s CARE Center dedication

Catholic Charities announced the grand opening of the St. Stephen’s CARE Center on with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sept. 9. Catholic Charities’ President/CEO, J. Antonio Fernandez spoke and provided tours of the new facility, Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller, MSpS, delivered remarks and blessing the building, and Texas Diaper Bank CEO Jorge Medina discussed his organization’s partnership with Catholic Charities. The new site is named for the manner in which it will serve: Compassion, Aid, Respect, and Empowerment.

Catholic Charities continues to see the increasing need for humanitarian aid in and around the community. Consistent with the mission to serve the community selflessly under the sign of love, Catholic Charities leadership, Board of Directors, and partners had the vision to open a community supercenter with a large food pantry, clothes closet, diaper bank, and case management. Catholic Charities anticipates using the facility to welcome community members who need assistance as well as serve as a hub for large groups in crisis.

Father Raymond Schuster, former pastor of St. Stephen’s Church, prayed the opening prayer at the gathering.

Fernandez told the crowd, “We are excited to open the St. Stephen’s CARE Center as a larger, alternative location to serve those who need us most. We intend this site to be welcoming to all people of all races, religion, and national origin and we intend to serve them with love. We don’t care why someone may need help. We just want to help.”

“At Stephen’s CARE Center, each item of good, each article of clothing was given by someone in this city who had the desire to help someone in need,” said Archbishop Gustavo. “This beautiful facility is a testament of God’s love and the love of neighbor in San Antonio.”

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