A quarter of a century has gone by since the Church of the Good Shepherd was established as a parish Oct. 16, 1989, based in the village of Kent in southwestern Indiana County.

As the roughly 800 members of the Roman Catholic parish pause to mark the milestone and celebrate the progress that has been made over the years, it's apparent that some things at the rural church have come full circle.

John Edward Timko of Irwin, the architect who designed the church building, and Msgr. Michael Matusak, who was the first pastor of the parish from its creation until 1997, are among guests expected to return for an Oct 19 Mass and receptions celebrating the Church of the Good Shepherd's 25 years. Bishop Lawrence E. Brandt of the Greensburg Diocese will be the principal celebrant and homilist for the special 2 p.m. Mass.

Greeting those in attendance will be Father William J. Lechnar, administrator of the parish since June 4. The appointment has been a return to familiar territory for Lechnar, who served as a deacon at Good Shepherd in its early days, before his ordination in 1997.

Lechnar recently gathered with some of Good Shepherd's longtime parishioners near the entrance to the church grounds, at one of the treasured landmarks at the site a Blessed Mother shrine. The stone grotto and statue was moved from the former Holy Cross Church in Iselin. Dating from 1908, Holy Cross was one of the earliest houses of worship for local Catholics and one three churches that formed the basis of the current Good Shepherd parish.

It was the first statue I ever blessed as a deacon, Lechnar noted of the figure of the Blessed Mother at Good Shepherd. I never dreamed I'd be back here as administrator of the parish.

It came over on a lowboy, parishioner Harry Baroni, 90 of Center Township, said of the shrine, recalling that a section of the crescent-shaped stone structure was temporarily removed so that it could make the trip on the trailer.

Other shrines along the lane leading to the Church of the Good Shepherd represent the former parish church of St. Gertrude in McIntyre and its mission church, St. Anthony in Aultman, both established in 1918.

Changing populations and mounting maintenance concerns after the better part of a century of service were among factors that eventually prompted suppression of the Iselin and McIntyre parishes to allow formation of the combined Church of the Good Shepherd Parish.

Good Shepherd parishioner Beth Marshall of Kent, who used to attend the McIntyre church, pointed out that none of the three older churches was handicapped-accessible and that needed upgrades would have cost about $500,000.

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Rural Kent parish celebrates quarter-century milestone

SALEM The Pleasant Street United Methodist Church will break ground Saturday morning on a new building that will bring expanded food pantry services to the community.

For many years, the Pleasant Street Church has sponsored the Food for the Hungry Food Pantry, which serves over 50 families in need each week with basic grocery items, said church trustee Bernard Campbell. The pantry has been recognized for its work in the Salem community, including a Pillar Award from the Greater Salem Chamber of Commerce.

In 2012, the church began planning for a new building to provide expanded facilities for the pantry and allow it to serve people in a more efficient manner.

Approvals for the new Hope Center building, including the site plan, were granted by the town last year.

Fundraising for the project has been ongoing since last year, and Campbell said enough funds have been committed to allow construction to begin.

The fundraising was helped along by several major corporate donations from companies, including Salem Co-operative Bank, Pentucket Bank, LW Companies, and Goundrey and Dewhirst Funeral Home.

A major gift from the recently closed Hannah Tenney Memorial United Methodist Church also helped to make the construction a reality.

Site work is already underway, and construction is expected to be completed by next spring.

When completed, the new building will provide expanded storage and service facilities for the food pantry (including pallet delivery capability) and office space, along with new community space which has the ability to allow expanded outreach ministries of the church, said Campbell.

A ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 18, at 10 a.m. on the church grounds at 8 Pleasant St. The public is invited.

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Salem church a step closer to expanded feeding capability

Ladner Christian Reformed Church will hold a dedication service this Sunday morning to give thanks for and celebrate the completion of a new wing. In the evening, the voices of the African Children's Choir will cap off the celebrations.

The construction project, which started at the end of April, has added 3,800 square feet of space, including an expanded foyer, a large multi-purpose room, offices and new washrooms.

The new space will free up current offices to be used as meeting rooms, give gatherers more conversation areas and provide greater capacity for group functions.

"My dream for this building is that we work hard to leverage this space for the sake of our community," says pastor Mike Koot, who has been with the church for just over a year. "This is a resource that God has given us to share. What exactly that will look like is something we have to work out."

The church serves the community through several regular events: a monthly Single Parents' dinner, a twice-monthly Kids' Club and a one-week Basic Skills Kids' Camp during the summer. Coffee Break Bible Study and Children's Story Hour (if required) run simultaneously one morning a week and The Well is a Friday morning drop-in for young moms or caregivers with young children. Every other Friday evening, the Friendship Coffee House hosts physically and mentally challenged adults and their caregivers in a time of singing, story,

snacks, crafts and games.

Sunday's dedication service is set for 10:30 a.m. The celebrations will culminate with the African Children's Choir concert at 6:30 p.m. All are warmly invited to experience the lively music and dances, along with the children's

beautiful voices and joyful smiles that have captivated audiences the world over.

Expect to hear well-loved children's songs, traditional spirituals and gospel favourites. A free-will offering will be taken to support African Children's Choir programs, such as education, care and relief and development programs.

The church is located at 4594-54A St.

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Church dedication capped off with visit from choir

By MICHAEL HAYES Wednesday October 15, 2014 11:14 AM

Pickerington's baseball and softball community can thank a local church for helping to fund the future construction of major upgrades to some local ballfields.

Pickerington City Council unanimously approved a resolution Oct. 7 to accept a $15,000 donation from Pickerington-based Grace Fellowship Church.

The money will be used to construct a shade shelter structure at the Diley Road ballfields and four softball dugouts at the Sycamore Park softball fields.

"It's fun to be part of a church that cares for its community," said Grace Fellowship Pastor Drew Waggoner.

He said the gift was part of the church's "desire greatly to make an impact both individually and corporately" in the Pickerington area.

"That's an incredible gift," said Pickerington Mayor Lee Gray.

"It's one that will benefit our community for years to come."

Gray said even without the upgrades, both ballfields are "really nice."

"But now, people will have a place to sit in the shade and have a picnic meal or whatever might be the case," Gray said.

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Church's donation will help upgrade ball fields

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The Church of the Holy Family is granting many last wishes by building the Mercy House in Endicott. The 10 bed residential home for the terminally ill will be the first of its kind in Broome and Tioga counties. Emily Lorsch explains how organizers will help loved ones in need of specialized care.

ENDICOTT, N.Y.-- "Everybody is born and everybody passes," said Anthony Paniccia, Mercy House Board President.

That's why the Church of the Holy Family is building the Mercy House to give people a warm and comfortable place during their final stages of life.

"I know many people that have passed away that have died alone in a nursing home or have died alone in their home because they haven't had family or friends," said Paniccia.

Organizers said when the time comes, families should be there. "The families need a lot of support and they need a place to stay and not be in an environment that's too sterile, where it's just more like being home," said Director of Business Operations David DeAngelo.

That's why the Mercy House will have two suites for loved ones. And those without blood relatives will have the Mercy House family by their side.

"You can be in your 30's, 40's, or you can be 102, but death will come to all of us and having someone journey with you takes the edge of fear off because you're helping them cross over to the threshold of eternity," said Sister Joanna Monticello, executive director.

The Mercy House will be at St. Casimir's Church in Endicott and will be modeled on Francis House in Syracuse. "This is not a hospice house, it's a community shelter so in that respect Francis House broke ground to make that a reality," said DeAngelo.

"There really is no place like this. There are several places in other areas but there's nothing in Broome County or Tioga," said Father Clarence Rumble, Church of the Holy Family pastor.

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Church is Granting Last Wishes

Long shunned by the church, gay Catholics are reacting positively to a document just issued by the Vatican that indicates the church is becoming more accepting of gay parishioners. The document states that gay people have gifts and qualities to offer to the Christian community and should be welcomed by the church. While same-sex marriages are still out of the question, the comments have been heralded by gay groups as an encouraging sign that the 2,000-year-old institution is offering a more progressive stance toward historically marginalized members of its flock.

The bishops report is a preliminary one published midway through a two-week synod called by Pope Francis to discuss the churchs position on moral issues such as cohabiting unmarried couples, whether divorced and remarried individuals can receive Communion and how to treat children from these unconventional families. While the bishops were clear that the church would not abandon its teachings on marriage as defined between a man and a woman, the 12- page report acknowledged that same-sex couples which the document described as homosexual unions -- language that is largely unprecedented -- often provide mutual aid to the point of sacrifice for each partner in the relationship. The bishops also said the church will pay special attention to children of gay couples, but did not give any specifics on how this would be accomplished. Additionally, the bishops concluded there are positive aspects of civil unions and cohabitation a dramatic shift from traditional teachings which said such unmarried straight couples were living in sin.

The report is an official summary of discussions and prepared speeches given during the first week of the synod. Since the document, referred to by its Latin name "relatio," was read out loud to 200 bishops, priests and lay people and shared online on Monday, LGBT groups have reacted positively to the comments, but remain wary on how it will translate to the parish level.

Marianne Duddy-Burke, executive director of DignityUSA an organization that works for the full inclusion of LGBT people in the Catholic Church -- said the relatio offered unexpected positive signs for gay Catholics and their families.

The change in tone is remarkable, Duddy-Burke told International Business Times. To go from being labeled as objectively disordered to having gifts and qualities needed by the church is very welcome among LGBT people.

Francis DeBernardo, executive director of New Ways Ministry, another advocacy group for gay Catholics, agreed that it was a positive change, but added that the churchs stance on same-sex marriage did not come as a surprise.

What is also significant and hopeful is what is not said. In stating that same-gender marriages are not accepted by the hierarchy, there is no vicious condemnation of them, as previous hierarchical statements have," DeBernardo said in a statement, referring to remarks made by former Popes John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI and their supporters.

While the document may be revolutionary for its unprecedented language towards some (but not all) members of the LGBT community --it has been criticizedfor ignoring the concerns of transgender individuals -- it is still a draft and does not guarantee that any lasting changes will be made at the local level.

Will [Catholic bishops] stop leading the fight against marriage equality, and stop firing church workers who marry their same-sex partners? Will priests stop denying Communion to LGBT people? Duddy-Burke asks.

The former question has a direct impact on Nicholas Coppola. The 49-year-old retired construction worker from Long Island attended Mass every morning at his parish, St. Anthony's in Oceanside, New York, for almost a decade. A proud gay Catholic, he did not keep sexuality secret from his fellow parishioners. However, when he married his longtime boyfriend, David, his pastor said he was fired from his volunteer posts.

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Gay Catholics Welcome In The Church? Vatican Comments Yield Cautious Optimism

(PRWEB) October 14, 2014

Building God's Way ("BGW"), a company that has created a nationwide network of services exclusively for faith-based organizations, will be hosting a free half-day seminar luncheon for ministry leaders on Tuesday, November 18 at Blackhawk Church in Middleton, WI.

The "Momentum Summit" will feature expert speakers in the areas of church health, growth, facilities, funding and technology. This event is part of a 10-city fall seminar series and is expected to draw church leaders from throughout the Greater Madison, WI area.

Seminar topics will include: "Positioning your church for health & growth;" "Rethinking facility construction & remodel;" "Innovative new funding strategies;" "Multi-site expansion planning;" "Ministry spaces for all generations;" and "Cost-effective solutions for cutting-edge A/V technology.

The event will be co-sponsored by NCI-Roberts Construction, the exclusive BGW church builder for the state of Wisconsin and the general contractor for Blackhawk Church, the host facility. Attendees will learn innovative ideas and strategies from a panel of speakers who have worked with hundreds of churches across the country.

The event will run from 9:00am - 12:15pm, followed by a complimentary lunch. For more information or to register, visit the event website or call 866-249-8484.

About Building Gods Way (BGW) - BGW has become a recognized leader in ministry design and construction through its extensive experience in working with hundreds of churches, Christian schools and colleges across the U.S. BGW's trademark programs based on Biblical stewardship and ministry on the construction job site have set them apart from other church builders and includes an unparalleled network of services, including church design, church building, church growth coaching, vision casting, capital fundraising, non-profit development, financial solutions, worship technology and more. For more information about BGW, call 844-413-8368 or visit the BGW web site.

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Church Leadership Seminar Coming to Middleton, WI on November 18, sponsored by Building God's Way and NCI-Construction

Published: Tuesday, October 14, 2014 at 5:30 a.m. Last Modified: Tuesday, October 14, 2014 at 6:04 a.m.

General Manager Latisa Baptist said business has plummeted 40-50 percent since road work began over the summer, and the fast food restaurant has been losing $700 to $900 per day since mid-August. She regularly fields calls from people wondering if the business is still open or confused about how to get past the ripped-up asphalt and heavy equipment.

The owner was threatening to close the doors, Baptist said. We didn't know it was going to hit the business like this.

Other businesses along the corridor say they've had the same nightmare, and they've been coming to city commission meetings since last month begging for help from City Hall and the contractor on the $19 million Orange Avenue overhaul that stretches to Beach Street.

After talking at an Oct. 1 meeting about loans or grants to help the businesses during the two-year project, a majority of city commissioners agreed what would be most feasible and truly help the businesses is speeding up work in the hard-hit section of Orange Avenue closest to Nova Road. Work in that stretch that runs between Nova Road and Caroline Street had been slated to wrap up by Dec. 15, but now will be put on pace to finish by Nov. 15, said Ron McLemore, deputy city manager of operations.

Expediting work in that area will cost $70,000, and the expense can be absorbed by the project's contingency fund, McLemore explained in a memo he sent to city commissioners and the mayor Friday. This week the contractor, Daytona-based Thad Con, started extending work hours Monday through Friday and will start working on Saturdays as well, McLemore said. There will be no night work with fears of hitting gas lines and other visibility problems, as well as the strong likelihood of noise after dark bothering people in nearby homes trying to relax and sleep.

City staff has also asked Thad Con to develop a proposal for speeding up the construction schedule between Caroline and Lockhart streets to help businesses in that area.

Over the next week, additional signs to help motorists find Orange Avenue businesses will be installed. Also, city staff is developing an advertising program using radio and print media to help businesses.

Those solutions, which will likely be the subject of discussion at Wednesday night's city commission meeting, might not sit well with businesses that have already asked the city for financial assistance.

I'm not getting any customers, said Eugenio Fernandez, owner of D Town Supermarket. I'm down $1,800 per day. This could kill my business.

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Businesses: Orange Avenue road work hurting sales

By Carmel Loise Matus |Inquirer Visayas

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

LOBOC, BoholLike many of the parishioners here, 67-year-old Amy Ladaga felt her heart tear to pieces when she saw the devastation on their church caused by the 7.2-magnitude earthquake last year.

We were all sad when we saw the extent of the damage. If you were the one looking at it, you would also feel the devastation, she told the Inquirer.

Ladaga was one of over 1,000 parishioners who attended Mass at the alternative church, as well as its blessing, which was built 5 meters from the old St. Peter Parish Church. Many were teary-eyed when the famous Loboc Childrens Choir sang Light of a Million Mornings and Rise Up Again.

The church in Loboc town, built in 1602, was the second oldest in Bohol province. It was heavily damaged when the earthquake shook the province on Oct. 15, 2013.

Its walls on one side remain standing but the convent-turned-museum, sacristy and facade went down in crumbles.

For almost a year, parishioners have been attending Mass under tents set up beside the ruins. They would bring their own chairs, sometimes umbrellas when it rained.

Church repair would have cost at least P200 million, an amount church officials didnt have, so they decided to build a substitute house of worship. Through donations, they were able to raise at least P15 million, mostly from Loboc residents now based in other countries.

With the funds, the officials led by parish priest Fr. Andres Ayco bought a 2,000-square-meter lot for about P5 million and built the 1,000-seat church made of concrete with steel beams and iron sheets. It would be where the 1800s-era pipe organ would be placed instead of the old one.

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Beside church ruins, a new place of worship in Bohol town