DUNWOODY--Parishioners at All Saints Church recently celebrated the completion of their sixth Habitat for Humanity house, answering Christ’s call to help those in need.

Kirby Baden, who heads the Habitat for Humanity ministry at All Saints, has worked on all six of the homes, including the most recent, located on Middle Street in Atlanta, dedicated on Oct. 30. In addition to the All Saints homes, Baden said he has worked to build over 25 houses.

“There is such a need to help the poor. I have been involved with community service most of my adult life,” he said. “Habitat is just what works for me.”

The All Saints Habitat ministry builds one home a year and has been able to build more than any other Catholic church in the archdiocese. Construction takes place over seven consecutive Saturdays.

To raise the $45,000 it takes to build a house, the ministry holds a “Habitat Weekend.” Their slogan is “If 45 people give $1,000, a group builds a house, but if 1,000 people give $45, a parish builds a home.”

Baden said the weekends usually generate about $35,000.

“I think we’ve found time and time again that people are willing to give their money because they can see where it goes,” he said.

Baden also said that All Saints parishioners are willing to give of their time.

“Our biggest problem is that we have too many volunteers and not enough jobs for everyone,” he said.

During construction of the most recent house, Baden said that each day 15 to 20 of the local residents would line up for lunch, giving the workers an extra opportunity to minister to the needy. Local restaurants donated the food.

All Saints also has a “homeowner partner” ministry, in which members of the parish join together with the Habitat homeowner for at least a year to help the new homeowner adjust.

The All Saints’ Habitat group has already made plans for their seventh house to be built next year.