To become part to the unfolding Kingdom of God by building a family relationship uniting Prince of Peace Catholic Community and Nuestra Senora de las Mercedes of Progreso, Honduras, based upon our common faith, mutual love, interdependence and solidarity.

WHat is sister Parish Ministry?

A faith-based friendship between two parishes: Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Plano, Texas, and La Nuestra Señora de Las Mercedes in El Progreso, Honduras.

It began in 1999 after our founding pastor, Rev. Jim Balint, made a promise to an El Salvadoran priest during a plane ride after Hurricane Mitch devastated Central America.

He asked Father Jim, “Will you forget? What will you do?” referring to their conversation about the devastation caused by the hurricane. Father Jim’s heart was touched and he did not forget.

From there grew a friendship with Las Mercedes and the formation of multiple programs built to help children in impoverished El Progreso, Honduras.

Centro de Nutrición Infantil “Las Mercedes Príncipe de Paz”

The Nutrition Center was formed to rehabilitate sick and malnourished children, with the goal of educating families on how to properly care for their children and providing them with the resources to do so. Once rehabilitated, children are reunited with their families. Welfare checks are conducted to ensure that the children continue to stay healthy.

Hogar Suyapa

The Hogar Suyapa—Hogar meaning “home” and Suyapa after Our Lady of Suyapa, the patron saint of Honduras—was formed in 2004 when parents did not or could not return to claim their children from the Nutrition Center. Today, it also accepts children placed there by SENAF, the Honduran child protection agency. The children’s home, or orphanage, can accommodate up to 40 children.

We provide the basic needs of life for these children while raising them in a faith-based community. The children attend Mass, catechism, and, when possible, Catholic schools.

Dozens and dozens of children have been served by these two facilities.

Prince of Peace provides financial assistance and other resources to support successful upbringings and prepare these children for adult life. We provide food, healthcare, love, family, education, and faith. Graduates of our program have gone on to attend law school and medical school and to raise families.

HOW TO HELP

• Donate through Prince of Peace Touchpoint: Click Here
• Donate through our Amazon Wishlist: Click Here
• Sign up for our Newsletter: Click Here
• Sponsor a Child: Click Here 
• Plan a Parish Visit

Contact Us