JUAREZ, MEXICO, February 10, 2016 /24-7PressRelease/ -- When Pedro Campos, 48 years old, was deported from Phoenix, AZ to Tijuana, he was separated from his wife and children, who still reside in Phoenix. He also lost his long-time job as a kitchen countertop cutter. With no work and the heartbreak of being denied the opportunity of living with his family in US, Campos traveled to his hometown of Juarez and found work with Perches Funeral Homes as a marble cutter. Today, Campos considers this deportation and his new job a blessing as he is one of eight men working on the altar for the upcoming visit of Pope Francisco to Juarez on Feb. 17.
"I am very happy to be working on such an important project for someone so special. And although I wish my family could be here enjoying this moment together, I feel blessed that God put me in this place at this time to be a part of history. I could have never imagined my work as cutter would bring me such joy," Campos said.
The altar, which is 13+ft L x 4 ft. W x 10 ft. H, is comprised of two parts and weighs nearly 3 tons. The altar will be held over three stones taken from the area of the hills of Samalayuca and granite stones brought from Brazil, exclusively for this building. In addition to the altar construction, two hand-made crosses have been created -- one that will be placed on the lectern and the other that will be given to Pope Francisco.
The news to build the altar was unexpected and Salvador Perches, owner of Perches Funeral Homes, decided to accept the task at hand for no charge recognizing the importance of the Pope's visit for both sides of the border in reducing the area's violence and bringing hope and peace.
"We have businesses and families on both sides of the border and this is a historic moment with participants coming from all parts of the world. When we first heard about the Pope's visit, we wanted to see him like millions of others. We never expected that we would be working on his altar and would actually be involved with his visit to Juarez," Perches said.
To commemorate the event, Perches has produced more than 100,000 prayers cards that are available for free at any Perches locations in Juarez, CHI; El Paso, TX and Las Cruces, NM; La Paz Spiritual Faith Center in El Paso and the Sun Bowl.
Story Sources:
Salvador Perches
(915)373-7677 personal cellular
[email protected]
www.perches.mx - www.perchesfuneralhomes.com
NOTES:
- Sal Perches can be contacted for information and to arrange for an interview with Pedro Campos and others involved in project. Two other men involved in the project are also named Pedro. Ironic that Peter is the apostle who is the "rock" in which the Roman Catholic Church is founded upon.
- Images of the altar and its construction can be obtained by calling or emailing
John Loeffler (915) 342-7677 / [email protected]
PERCHES LOCATIONS
Perches-La Paz Funeral Home
3331 Alameda Ave. - El Paso, TX 79905
915.532.2101
Perches Funeral Home-Alameda
7580 Alameda Ave. - El Paso, TX 79915
915.772.0755
Perches Funeral Home-East
2280 Joe Battle Blvd. - El Paso, TX 79938
915.849.8185
Perches Funeral Home-West
6111 S. Desert Blvd. - El Paso, TX 79932
915.581.0102
La Paz-Graham's Funeral Home
555 W. Amador - Las Cruces, NM 88001
575.526.6891
Perches Funeral Home Juarez
011-52-656-6132131
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