Thank you for your support of the school supplies project! Parishioners and Dignity of Life Committee Members Mary Jo and Heather took a carload of assorted school supplies to St. Anthony’s Parish in Neopit. They were welcomed with appreciative arms and assured that the supplies will benefit extremely needy children at the start of the school year who don’t have the resources to go to a store and buy supplies. They were excited to receive them. Although the school supplies are being stored in the social hall at St. Anthony’s in Neopit they will also be shared with the children who live in Keshena. (We also support these neighbors through our annual Christmas Sponsorship Program.) Because of your generosity, these children can start school with the excitement and enthusiasm that most of us remember having on the first day of school.
While there, they received a tour of the church’s renovations. Approximately two years ago, St. Anthony’s rectory completely burned down. They received insurance money to “rebuild” the rectory. However, after a lot of negotiations, they were able to use that money to do some much-needed repairs to their church.
They removed asbestos in the floor and replaced the flooring with new tile and carpet. They converted an extremely small bathroom into a handicap-accessible restroom and added a meditation room/family worship space. The most beautiful part of their renovation story is that they were able to use lumber/wood from their own mill in Neopit. Their finished, renovated church is the result of contributions and workmanship from their own community.
The most exciting news from Neopit is that they now have a priest who can celebrate Mass on Sundays. For the past few years, they could only have one Mass on the weekend on Saturday, which greatly affected their attendance. Now with a Sunday Mass, their attendance is rising and their community is coming together. They feel so blessed to have their recent renovations and our support throughout the years.
Thanks to all the parishioners for valuing and enriching our neighbors in Neopit and Keshena as we all continue to grow as disciples.
By the Dignity of Life Committee of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish