Guatemala Action Group
The Saint Thomas More Guatemala Action Group works to foster awareness of the needs and values of our sister parish, San Andres Itzapa in Guatemala. Our goal is for both parishes to grow and benefit from our shared journeys of faith. Contact Janet Woulfe, 816.525.4480.
Regular mission trips to Guatemala help foster a relationship with our brothers and sisters there.
We helped found a school, Escuela San Bartolome, in San Andres Itazapa in 2004.
Mission trips
Click here for more information about our yearly mission trips and to view trip photos.
Make a Donation
Click here to make a donation to the STM Guatemala fund.
Members: If you do not already have login credentials for our online contribution system, click here to contact Randy Grindinger. Once you have these credentials you will be able to manage all your contributions in one convenient location.
Comalapas Water System
Click here to view photos of our clean water project in Comalapas, Guatemala.
Saint Thomas More along with Marcus Huffman are in the process of installing our 4th and 5th clean water filtration systems in some of the poorest regions of Guatemala. The picture above (click here for more) are of the 4th system which is being installed in the city of Comalapas Guatemala. It should be fully operational by the first of June. The 5th system will be located in a poor region of Antigua Guatemala. The facility that will house that system is currently under construction. The date that this system will be fully operating is still to be determined. The three systems that are currently operating are providing over 10,000 people with clean water where there once was none. The two new systems hope to provide another 10,000 people with clean drinkable water. These systems are a result of many generous people from the Saint Thomas More community. Unclean water in Guatemala is the number one cause of illness and death especially among children. A complete clean water filtration system runs approximately $25,000 installed. Anyone interested in contributing to this wonderful, life saving project click here to contact Phil Smith.
Guatemala Walk
Each year there is fundraising walk held at Rockhurst High School after the 5pm Mass.
Click here to make a donation.
Click here for a flyer from the 2010 Walk.
A letter from Phil Smith (August 2011)
Good Afternoon Everyone,
I have recently returned from leading two wonderful summer trips to Guatemala with 65 travelers. Besides helping the people of our community San Andres Itzapa Guatemala, I truly feel the members of our traveling teams made life long friendships and had life changing experiences. As a result of MANY wonderful and generous people, WE have been able to make a huge impact on the people of Guatemala and they have made a huge impact upon us. As a result of previous walks we have purchased an orphanage for physically and mentally handicapped children that was on the verge of closing. We have purchased and installed 5 clean water filtration systems that are currently serving 75,000 people that at one time had no access to clean drinkable water. We have installed a new concrete roof replacing the collapsing roof on the convent in Itzapa. These are just a few of the wonderful things that you have been a partner to. I am a fan of only asking for money when it is necessary. After returning from Guatemala a week ago, I have realized that even though there always is and always will be many financial needs in Guatemala currently everything is doing surprisingly well. As a result, I WILL NOT have my Guatemala walk this year. Thank you VERY much for your continued support for the poorest of the poor in Guatemala. You’ll never realize what a difference you have made.
Sincerely, Phil
