BOONE — St. Elizabeth Church was recently presented with the “Helping Hands Award” from the Girl Scouts of Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Watauga, and Wilkes counties in appreciation of their support for the local Girl Scouts.
The Helping Hands award with introduced this year to thank the local businesses, civic groups and churches that support their local Girl Scout troops. Amber Mellon, Girl Scout Adult Recognition Specialist for the five counties, recently presented the award to Father Matthew Codd, pastor.
— Amber Mellon, correspondent
CHARLOTTE — St. Vincent de Paul Church has paid off the remaining debt on its Ministry Center & Chapel, it was recently announced. The $3.2 million project included demolishing the old office, preparing the site, constructing the new, larger facility, and repaving sections of the church parking lot. It was completed in 2014.
"A great accomplishment! I must relate that it was with joy that I signed a letter a few days ago authorizing the final payment of our loan on the Ministry Center & Chapel," Father Mark Lawlor, pastor, told parishioners in a bulletin announcement. "It has been quite a journey.
When I arrived here in 2003, I learned that there was already a preliminary plan to add some classrooms and replace the poor office facility.
For several years, we had many meetings with the pastoral council, the facilities commission, the finance council, diocesan officials and our pastoral plan committee prior to receiving diocesan permission to begin a capital campaign.
I was humbled and inspired by the great commitment of so many in the parish that helped make the project a reality. I thought that we would pay the loan off early, but we did even better than I had hoped."