THE GOOD NEWS
♦
Didacus Wilson
was chosen by the poet laureate of Virginia to be the featured poet
for October. Go to:
www.carolynforonda.com/index.htm.�
Click on
�Poet�s Spotlight� and then click on the archives tab titled,
�Peruse Poet�s Spotlight Pages of Past Honorees.��� Under October
you will find a brief biography of Didacus and six of his poems.�
Congratulations, Didacus!� You�ve made us proud!
♦
John Kerr
helped to organize a gathering of church people throughout
Minneapolis on October 8 which revolved around the title, �Faith in
Democracy: Renewing the Promise.�� John was in charge of turnout for
the event and 1,000 people attended to pray, sing, imagine a just
world and listen to speakers on economic justice and candidates for
public office.� John, wearing his habit, did a short dialogue with
an African-American man with whom he�s working to gain community
benefits from the city.
�♦
Robert Juroszek
was a part of an ecumenical
blessing of animals that took place in October in a lot next to the
Episcopal church.� He, along with an Episcopal priest, offered the
traditional blessing of the animals.� Among the expected coterie of
dogs and cats, Robert reports that there were two rats.� The
tarantula that was expected to be present was a no-show.� No
laying-on-of hands there!
�♦
On August 21, 22, and 23 the
Province was visited by representatives of Praesidium to continue
the process of seeking accreditation.� Praesidium is an organization
working in conjunction with the Conference of Major Superiors of Men
to ensure that religious communities are in full compliance with the
United States Bishop�s Charter for the Protection of Children and
Young People.� The Province can be proud that the audit went well.�
We were told that there are no significant obstacles to our
accreditation.�� It is expected that the process will be completed
by the end of the year.�
♦��
Empty Mount
Carmel School and Convent Leased
�
The Mount Carmel School and Convent
buildings have housed students and religious sisters for nearly 85
years.� Ten years ago Mount Carmel School consolidated with eight
other Altoona city parishes and became Altoona Central Catholic
School.� In December, 2005, the school consolidated buildings once
again and the Mount Carmel building became vacant.� The Franciscan
Sisters of Scotland vacated the convent nearly a year earlier.� In
January, 2006,
Frank�
Scornaienchi formed a
committee to investigate leasing the convent and school buildings.�
The committee met twice to discuss what was necessary to lease the
buildings.� During this time, Frank was approached by Northwestern
Human Services of Pennsylvania who desired to utilize both buildings
for their autistic children�s program.� The committee had to face
bringing the buildings up to code.� This work was accomplished, a
Certificate of Occupancy was issued by the City of Altoona, and a
lease was negotiated.� With the rent received, the parish will be
able to continue paying the bills for the buildings, help replenish
the money taken from savings to bring the building up to code, and
put money aside for any needed repairs.� Northwestern Human Services
provide mental health and family services.� The agency as a whole
has committed itself to providing high quality services to
individuals within the autism spectrum.� The first program brought
to the School building in July was �Stepping Stones.�� This is an
after school and day care program focusing on communication and
social skills.� In September, a specialized, private school began at
the Mount Carmel School building.� A member of the Northwestern
Human Services staff said, �We are very happy and excited about the
new space and want to say thank you very much for making us feel so
welcome!�� Frank said that the parish was very pleased to be able to
provide them with the space that they needed; we are so blessed to
be able to have this ministry in our buildings.��
(Submitted by
Frank Scornaienchi)
�
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