By GAYLE WEBER

gweber@dailynews.net

Few had a background in carpentry skills, but the pieces were coming together Tuesday afternoon.

Capuchin Franciscans, who are staying in Victoria during the summer, began work earlier this week to help Habitat for Humanity of Ellis County with a fundraiser.

The 15 men from across the United States and Canada who are in study to become friars are putting together a treehouse and playhouse that will be raffled to benefit Habitat for Humanity.

The treehouse came from ready-made plans, while the playhouse was built from scratch.

"These are real basic plans, so when we're done, we're going to put some finishing touches on it," said Christopher Iwancio of Baton Rouge, La. "There's talk of shingling the roof, maybe making a fake chimney to make it more for kids."

Habitat for Humanity will begin ticket sales for the treehouse and playhouse June 20. Tickets are $5 each or three for $10. Participants can choose for which item they want to purchase tickets.

Tickets will remain on sale until July 3, when the items will be given away during Wild West Fest.

The project is a learning experience for the Capuchins. Iwancio said he never had worked on a Habitat for Humanity project before but found one of its traditions interesting.

"Part of the Habitat tradition is writing Scripture, prayers and verses on the inside, where they might not be seen, but it's on the wood," Iwancio said.

Phrases like "Let the children come to me" adorned the playhouse before the siding was installed.

The Capuchins arrived in Victoria a week ago and will remain until the end of July, working with Habitat for Humanity throughout their stay. Once the treehouse and playhouse fundraiser project is completed, the group will begin work on Habitat's two houses at 17th and Allen streets in Hays.

This summer is like a two-month retreat for the Capuchins, who each spent about nine months in their respective provinces before gathering in Victoria.

"It's a program for all of us to get together during this time, to work together, to build a sense of community so we can become novices," Martinez said.

The group will be working on Habitat for Humanity projects Mondays and Tuesdays while they're here.

The rest of their time is spent in prayer, at daily Mass, performing tasks at St. Fidelis Catholic Church, in personal reflection and learning from various speakers about their chosen career.

"There's also a lot of time for community," Martinez said. "Friar is a term for brother. Learning how to interact in a community, I think, is a (key) for how we're able to interact within an outside community like Hays."

The Capuchin formation takes anywhere from six to eight years.

The process includes an opportunity for Capuchins to spend nine months living with friars to get a better understanding of what the rest of their lives will be like. Following the postulancy, the Capuchins enter a period of novitiate.

"The idea is we're secluded from the world so that without all the noises of the world, (I can) realize if this is something I really want to do," Martinez said.

Habitat for Humanity of Ellis County will have a fundraiser Saturday.

In the former Vanderbilt's location of The Mall, Habitat for Humanity will sell donated items from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday.