Help Our Lady of Mercy send mission teams to build safe, simple homes with Imaginin Guatemala. Your generosity changes lives—one family, one home at a time.
Look for “Missions” please include the note: “For the Guatemala 2026 Adult Mission Trip.”
Trip Details
- Dates: Saturday, January 24 – Saturday, January 31, 2026
- Volunteers: Around 18 people, divided into 3 teams
- Goal: Build 3 homes for families in need
- Cost per person: $1,700 (includes building costs, materials, housing, most meals, bottled water, ground transportation, and airfare)
Why Your Gift Matters
Many Guatemalan families live in makeshift shelters made of cornstalks, scrap wood, or cardboard. Cooking fires are often in the same room where families sleep, and dirt floors make for unsafe, unhealthy living.
Through our partnership with Imaginin Guatemala, our mission teams build simple, safe, sustainable homes that include:
- Cinderblock walls with windows and doors that lock
- Cement and tile floors
- An outdoor covered kitchen with stove (smoke vented outdoors)
- Bathroom with shower and toilet
- Electricity for lighting and essentials
What Service Teams Do
- Work in groups of 6–7 volunteers alongside two local Guatemalan builders
- Spend four days building a home for a selected family
- Get to know the family and connect with the local community
- Experience Guatemala’s culture through optional activities such as hiking a volcano, zip-lining, visiting Maya ruins, Lake Atitlán, or a salsa dance lesson
2026 schedule: 7 days total (2 travel days, 4 building days, 3 days of cultural/mission activities).
2026 Blessing: We’re grateful that Fr. Michael will join the 2026 team—his presence and priestly ministry will be a tremendous blessing to the team and families.
Recap of 2025 Mission Trip
February 22 – March 2, 2025 — Two OLM service teams (12 volunteers total) built two homes. Our former parochial vicar Fr. Frank Pusateri joined the mission, celebrating daily Mass, swinging a hammer, and sharing Christ’s love with the families and community.
“It was a huge blessing to have Father with us.”
His presence inspired hope in the families and strengthened our teams in faith.
Thank You, Benefactors!
We are grateful for those whose generosity has already helped make this mission possible:
- Steve & Margaret Dodd — sponsored Fr. Frank’s 2025 mission trip
- Linda R. — donated half of her Oktoberfest 50/50 Raffle winnings toward the mission
If you supported last year or have already given this year—thank you. Your generosity is building more than homes; it’s building hope.
Donate Now
Your gift—of any size—helps fund materials and costs to build three homes in 2026 and offsets volunteer expenses.
👉 Give Online through OSV
Important: Look for “Missions” and in the Notes section, please write “For the Guatemala 2026 Adult Mission Trip.”
Prefer to give in person, just drop it off in the Parish Office or place in the offering basket during the weekend Masses, please be sure to indicate that it is for the Guatemala 2026 Adult Mission Trip.
About Imaginin Guatemala
Imaginin Guatemala partners with local communities to build safe, simple homes and accompany families toward a more stable future. Our parishioners work, pray, and build alongside experienced Guatemalan builders and the very families receiving the homes.
FAQs
How are families selected?
Local partners identify families most in need of a safe, secure home.
What does my donation fund?
Materials and construction costs for three homes, plus mission logistics.
Is my gift tax-deductible?
Gifts made through Our Lady of Mercy are generally tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law (consult your tax advisor).
Thank you for praying, giving, and sending our parishioners on mission. Together in Christ, we are building homes—and hope—for our brothers and sisters in Guatemala.
📩 Questions? Contact Geri Capulong at 847-890-3891 gericapulong@gmail.com
Photo Highlights 2025 Mission Trip
Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.
Matthew 25:40