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In the quiet border town of Fort Hancock, faith and culture intertwine in the life of Sister Silvia Chacon, a humble woman whose poetry and faithful service bear witness to God’s presence in everyday moments. Rooted in her love for her faith, family, tradition, and community, she has helped nurture a parish where laughter, sorrow, and hope are all embraced with dignity and respect. Today, her vision—and the vision of Santa Teresa Church—calls us to join in building a simple yet transformative gift: the El Cuartito Tilma project, a space that will enable this faith-filled community to serve with even greater love.
Today, Sister Silvia’s vision finds a home in Fort Hancock at Santa Teresa Church, where she and a faithful community of women have rolled up their sleeves to care for both the physical and spiritual needs of their parish. From cleaning pews to welcoming bereaved families with beauty and dignity, their ministry has blossomed into a source of hope for all who enter. Now, the parish dreams of building a 30’ x 30’ storage room—“El Cuartito Tilma project.” On the surface, it may seem like just a room, but for this community it represents so much more. At present, the parish hall is filled with fiesta booths, donated clothing, religious education materials, and parish fundraiser supplies, leaving little space for gatherings. Overflowing sheds leave no room for proper organization. Every time the parish prepares for a fiesta or fundraiser, items must be shuffled in and out of the hall—clutter that prevents the space from being what it was meant to be: a place of comfort, hospitality, and sacred encounter.
With the quartito, the hall will once again be a true refuge:
• A space where grieving families can gather in peace after funerals, welcomed with flowers, cloth-covered tables, and dignity.
• A clean, open hall where catechists can teach children about Christ without distractions or cramped conditions.
• A gathering place for parish groups and prayer circles, free of boxes and storage overflow.
• A more sustainable system for storing fiesta and bazaar supplies, which are central to fundraising and community life.
• A dedicated space to sort donated clothing and household items, so families in need on both sides of the border can be served with greater organization and care.
The quartito is not just about storage—it is about restoring the parish hall to its true purpose. It is about ensuring that Santa Teresa Church can continue to be a place of welcome, dignity, and love for generations to come.
This project is about more than bricks and storage space. It is about honoring a legacy of faith, culture, and community. It is about giving Sister Silvia and her parish the tools they need to continue sowing seeds of grace in Fort Hancock and beyond.
Now is our chance to help make that vision a reality. Together, we can help Sister Silvia and the Santa Teresa community build the quartito, we can help preserve Sister’s faith, love, dedication, and her heartfelt ministry, so that her legacy of love may continue to inspire today and for generations to come.