Faith in Action: Meet the Partners of Pope Leo Village

What does it look like to put faith into action? For a growing number of Twin Cities schools, churches, and community organizations, it means rolling up their sleeves, coming together in service, and helping more families achieve affordable homeownership.

These organizations have joined Pope Leo Village, a national interfaith movement inspired by Pope Leo XIV's commitment to social justice, compassion, and service. 

Locally, Pope Leo Village supports Twin Cities Habitat’s work to build new affordable homes, expand access to homeownership for families, and create opportunities for Faith in Action. The campaign is anchored by five homes at The Heights in St. Paul, but opportunities to participate extend throughout the Twin Cities.

Pope Leo Village is about building relationships, creating opportunities for young people to serve, and bringing communities together around shared purpose.

We're excited to recognize local partners that have committed to being part of this movement!

Meet Our Pope Leo Village Partners

St. Catherine University

St. Catherine University (St. Kate's) has been part of Pope Leo Village from the very beginning. At the July kickoff celebration, University President Dr. Marcheta P. Evans and student leaders Leslie and Samantha shared their perspectives on social justice, leadership, and community service.

Students from St. Kate's Summer Scholars Program also helped begin construction on the first Pope Leo Village home. Their involvement connects classroom learning and research racial justice and housing with hands-on action in the community.

I'm hopeful in our generation to continue asking difficult questions, challenging injustice, and building communities where people don't just buy a home but they feel at home. —Leslie, Summer Scholars Student

Through Pope Leo Village, St. Kate's students are demonstrating how the next generation of leaders can turn knowledge into meaningful change.

Notre Dame Club of Minnesota

The Notre Dame Club of Minnesota brings together alumni, families, and friends of the University of Notre Dame through a shared commitment to community and service.

By joining Pope Leo Village, the club is helping extend that spirit of service into the Twin Cities. Its participation offers an opportunity for alumni and supporters to connect with one another while contributing to a cause that reflects their values.

The Notre Dame Club of Minnesota chose to join in the creation of Pope Leo Village because we are passionate about being a powerful force for good in our community. We are excited to unite our diverse skillsets as a group and take a step toward building more affordable housing for those in need. —Nic, Club Coordinator

Pope Leo Village is a reminder that the connections formed through education can make a difference long after graduation.

Tres Iglesias

Three congregations, one shared commitment to serving their neighbors!

Tres Iglesias is an alliance of three local churches: Prospect Park United Methodist, St. Cecilia, and St. Frances Cabrini. Together, these congregations have volunteered with Twin Cities Habitat for decades. They demonstrate the power of working across church communities and traditions to make a greater impact.

Their involvement in Pope Leo Village reflects a belief that faith is strengthened through action and that communities can accomplish more when they work together.

Tres Iglesias has long been committed to Habitat for Humanity’s mission to provide affordable housing by engaging volunteer labor to facilitate the construction of new units and to refurbish old ones. However, we were particularly honored to be asked to highlight Pope Leo’s example of Faith in Action by working on the Pope Leo Village project at The Heights this summer. We hope this project and others like it inspire those who are looking for an opportunity to build a better world to join us and literally ‘build a better world’ one house at a time.  —Paul, Volunteer Coordinator

Tres Iglesia is a wonderful example of how churches can collaborate, bring their members together, and put their shared values into practice.

DeLaSalle High School

For students at DeLaSalle High School, service "off the island" is an important part of learning. Through this partnership, students and the broader school community can explore the importance of affordable housing while discovering how their time, talents, and compassion can help create positive change.

Students like B also learn that making a difference doesn't have to be hard, and Pope Leo Village ended up being an easy way to make a big impact.

It was something easy to do to make a difference. A lot of things with building a house are not that hard; it just takes time. I had fun wrapping the house. —B, high school senior

Pope Leo Village offers young people another powerful message: You don't have to wait until adulthood to make a difference in your community.

Ascension Catholic Church

Ascension Catholic Church joins Pope Leo Village with a commitment to faith, community, and caring for neighbors. As a campaign partner, Ascension is part of a growing network of congregations responding to the need for affordable housing through service and generosity.

Its participation reflects the important role faith communities can play in bringing people together around shared challenges and creating opportunities for members of all generations to get involved.

Affordable housing has always been important to Ascension both locally and in the metro area. Habitat homes have been built here on the northside and St. Pascal's School on the East side of St. Paul is part of Ascension Academy. Our group was made up of staff from Ascension Academy and church parishioners who wanted to honor Pope Leo's call to service, learn more about it, participate with Habitat for Humanity, and build community with each other. Mission accomplished! —Anne

Through Pope Leo Village, churches like Ascension turn compassion into action and support families working toward homeownership.

There's Room for Your Community, Too!

We're grateful to these partners for stepping forward and helping build momentum for Pope Leo Village. Is your congregation, school, campus ministry, alumni association, or community organization looking for a meaningful way to make a difference?

There are many ways to participate in Pope Leo Village:

• Volunteer: Bring a group to a Habitat build site at The Heights or elsewhere in the Twin Cities, or serve at a ReStore home improvement outlet.

• Fundraise: Rally your congregation, students, alumni, or community members to raise funds for affordable homeownership.

• Spread the word: Share Pope Leo Village with your professional and personal networks, encouraging others to get involved.

• Give: Make a donation to Pope Leo Village to help us continue building affordable homes for local families.

You don't need construction experience, and you don't need to belong to a particular faith tradition. Pope Leo Village welcomes people of all faiths and backgrounds who want to make a difference.

Ready to put faith into action? Visit tchabitat.org/popeleovillage or email PLV@tchabitat.org to learn how your group can join Pope Leo Village.