Thank you, Williamson County churches

Because of its affluency, Williamson County often receives a negative eye from its brothers and sisters in Nashville and Davidson County. Its residents are seen as only white-flighters, intolerant, too-money and too self-concentrated.

Yet consider the following fact to dispel that untruth. The only two Catholic churches in Tennessee -- to officially contribute the past two months to keep the doors open at the new Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Nashville -- are located in Williamson County. And Our Lady's is devoted to serving Hispanic Catholics in the Spanish language.

We pray more churches will answer the call. And we believe they will, as Our Lady continues to inspire and encourage her good people.

Based on that assurance, an intensive campaign beginning in May to solicit donations from churches and individuals produced these two remarkable donations:

St. Philip Catholic Church in Franklin,TN. and its then-pastor Father Kirk, gave an astonishing $100,000. The church there has also been most welcoming to the city's growing Hispanic population.

Holy Family Catholic Church in Brentwood and its pastor Father Ed Alberts gave an incredible $25,000 despite being in the middle of their own building project. Outstanding.

These gifts have made the stress of the two-month campaign during an economic recession much easier to take.

St. Edward Catholic Church in Nashville does not officially count as a big donor in the two-month campaign. Its congregation's involvement goes back for several years. They helped open Our Lady's on Dec. 12, 2007. It is the sponsor church of Our Lady's, and members have given more than $325,000 the past two years. And its pastor, Father Joe Pat Breen, has devoted his entire being to getting Our Lady's up and going.

St. Edward also will be financially responsible for a loan from the Diocese of Nashville to pay for the remaining part of Our Lady's debt. Our campaign still came up short by $400,000 by the June 30 deadline. The original debt was $1.5 million. About $930,000 had been raised by the start of the two-month campaign.

Now the working poor congregation of Our Lady's will have to try and pay monthly loan payments in addition to expenses for church operations, staff salaries and community services. That is a burden the church's members are ready to take on. They've raised $75,000 of their own money to cover the debt.

Last week, a loan agreement from the diocese was supposed to be signed by Father Breen. But there were delays. So until that agreement is transacted, we continue to pray for more donations from churches and individuals to reduce the debt. We believe Our Lady of Guadalupe will inspire and encourage, even at this late moment.

The wonderful nuns on the Dominican Campus in Nashville have made their own donation. In addition, they educate Nashville's children, including some young ones from Our Lady's, at Overbrook School.

If you or your congregation or business or organization would like to give, please e-mail me timchavez787@yahoo.com, and I'll give you the information on how. You do not have to identify yourself. I handle no money or donation, except from my own family. Your gift does not have to be large. Any amount will be a great blessing and most appreciated.

There is little more, however, that we can expect from Williamson County believers. Two Catholic churches there have made an incredible difference for some of the most vulnerable people in Nashville and Davidson County. Their giving has touched and blessed our lives. And it is indicative of the ongoing work and generosity of many Williamson County churches of all denominations in reaching out to their brothers and sisters in need in Nashville.