Pilgrim Center of Hope

A Catholic Evangelization Ministry

 

HomeStaffHistoryText Box: SAN ANTONIO AIRPORT MINISTRY A Catholic Information Booth In The Airport Terminal Whenever you fly in to San Antonio, Texas, be sure to visit the ticketing area in the Airport Terminal 2, even if your flight arrives or departs from the other terminal, Terminal 1. If you do, you will be pleasantly surprised to see a small booth with signs proclaiming "Free Catholic Information." If you approach the booth, you will be greeted by a smiling, friendly volunteer who will ask you if you want any information about the Catholic Church. The history of this information booth is just as interesting as the fact that it is there to begin with. About eight years ago, Mary Jane Fox, the wife of Deacon Tom Fox, was dropping off a visiting priest to catch his departing flight and they both saw a similar booth with information about another, non-Catholic church. They turned to each other at almost the same time and said, "Why can't we do that?" The Foxes are involved in operating The Pilgrim Center of Hope, a Catholic Evangelization Ministry authorized by the Archdiocese of San Antonio. The Center has facilities for holding retreats and training for catechists, facilitators, teachers, and just ordinary people who want to renew and strengthen their faith life and help others to do the same. They immediately sought the Archbishop=s approval for their new venture, and with his blessing they approached the airport administration and negotiated terms for the operation of a Catholic Information booth. The booth is staffed by volunteers, who commit themselves to a two-hour shift once a week for a minimum of six months. All of the materials, pamphlets, information, and bibles are provided by the Pilgrim Center and are given away to passengers that are usually surprised by their good fortune. The New Testament bibles, which are available in English or Spanish (as most of the materials are), are purchased for the purpose from the American Bible Society. The volunteers are also able to offer rosary packets which include a rosary, a leaflet on how to pray this vastly popular Catholic devotion, and another leaflet that includes the history of the rosary. They also offer Miraculous Medal packets, with a medal and a card that explains the story about the image of Our Lady as depicted on it, and includes a prayer to Our Blessed Mother. Other prayer cards include the Divine Mercy, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Three Simple Prayers, God Protect Us, and Jesus I Am Weak cards. There is even a simple coloring book for children traveling with their parents; although no crayons are available to go with it. Information about daily Mass Schedules in churches near the airport and near downtown, how to read and understand the bible, general information about the Catholic Church, and beliefs and prayers that the Catholic Church teaches are also available. All of the material is free to airline passengers, but many of them usually offer a contribution that the volunteers are happy to accept---although they may not ask for one! If you are interested in starting a similar effort in your hometown, these are the steps required to implement that plan: First of all, you must seek the permission and approval of the local bishop in the diocese where you live for the Airport Ministry. You must request the authorization from the airport administration, and find out about security regulations and local rules. In San Antonio, the airport requires that the volunteers not call out to passersby, but they are allowed to offer simple greetings (Good Morning; How are you?, etc.) The booth volunteers play a secondary role while at the booth; they act as information providers to busy travelers who will ask questions like AWhere is the baggage claim area? Where is Gate 23? Can you tell me where the restrooms Are?@ Names, addresses, and telephone numbers of all volunteers must be provided to the airport administration, and updated bi-weekly. The name, address, and telephone number of the contact person (usually the coordinator) must also be furnished to the airport office. You must have an organization ready to assume the responsibility to recruit, train, and coordinate the individual volunteers, and provide the necessary financial backing and commitment to the effort. In the San Antonio operation, with the booth staffed only about half the time that the airport terminal is open, expenses for materials alone run between $3,000 to $5,000 annually. And San Antonio is not a hub airport; it is a regional feeder airport with connecting flights to the larger hubs. Handout materials are available from many different sources, usually at a very nominal cost. However, even a few pennies per item add up in a hurry when dealing with large volumes! In addition to the American Bible Society, such organizations as The Christophers, Catholic Answers, Catholic Book Publishing Co., Faith Guild (St. Martin de Porres Lay Dominican Community), St. Anthony Messenger Press, and St. Joseph Communications, provide different leaflets, pamphlets, and books. For medals and rosaries, such outfits as Autom and others are reasonable. If you would like additional information, or addresses and telephone numbers, please call The Pilgrim Center of Hope at (210) 521-3377 or fax us at (210) 521-0288. MapLinksSearch