HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2006-01-18, Page 22
Exeter Times–Advocate
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Parishioners save Mt. Carmel
By Pat Bolen
TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF
MOUNT CARMEL — By raising
more than half the funds needed to
restore their church in just a few
days, the parishioners of Our Lady
of Mount Carmel are feeling more
confident about keeping their
church open after it was taken off a
list of churches recommended to be
closed last week.
Parish priest Father Ray Lawhead
said he was extremely surprised by
how much money came in.
Lawhead said the parish will now
play a waiting game to see if the
recommendations are confirmed by
Diocese Bishop Ronald Fabbro in
May.
"Then we're given the green light
to restore," said Lawhead who
added Precious Blood parish is
preparing a budget the diocese has
asked for to ensure its long-term
financial viability.
The budget is due by the middle
of February.
Lawhead said he is fairly confi-
dent the recommendation not to
close Mount Carmel will be accept-
ed by the bishop.
Parish spokesman James Noel
said an engineering report was
done on the church several years
ago.
"People knew there was going to
be a big requirement for a lot of
money to restore the church, but
they were holding back...they didn't
want to give money that was going
to vanish someplace."
Once the initial report came down
in October, Noel said parishioners
realized the church would be
closed unless they showed a com-
mitment to restoring it.
"And so, at a church meeting we
said `let's see what we can come up
with to show them we're commit-
ted to keeping this place open.–
Noel said there were also assur-
ances given by the bishop that any
money given would be returned to
the donors if the church closed.
"People were really fired up, so I
thought we'd get $250,000 or some
big amount like that. And we got
triple that, which is quite impres-
sive."
Noel said the parish didn't do
anything extraordinary to raise the
money.
"We just said `ok people, send in
your cheques, because we need it."
With 244 registered families in
the parish, Noel said the amount
raised averaged around $3,000 per
family, although there were a few
larger donations of $30,000 and
$50,000.
With a goal of around $1.5 million
needed for the repairs, Noel said
the parish has raised around
$850,000.
Noel added no further fund -rais-
ing activities have been planned to
raise the rest of the money.
"We're very happy with the out-
come...we haven't given it any seri-
ous consideration yet. Although
that will be required because the
bishop is requiring us to prepare a
viability plan."
Other members of the team which
organized the fundraising effort are
Dara Hartman, Patrick Conlin,
Donald O'Rourke and Dennis
Regan.
Noel said the whole parish con-
tributed to the effort through a
series of meetings and other activi-
ties. "It's wonderful news and it
really reflects well on the dedica-
tion and generosity of the people of
this area.
Exeter white squirrels receive big mention
EXETER — Exeter's white squirrels recently received
national exposure when they were included among the
National Post's "100 Things To Do In Canada Before
You Die."
In the Jan. 7 Post, Exeter's furry mascot ended up at
number 37, which read: "Visit Exeter, Ont., north of
London, and look for one of the town's famous white
squirrels."
The squirrels finished ahead of visiting Parliament Hill
(51), taking a boat tour of the 1,000 Islands (58), visiting
Point Pelee (63), watching a Montreal Canadiens -
Toronto Maple Leafs playoff game live (68), seeing the
polar bears at Churchill, Man., (87) and touring the oil
sands near Fort McMurray, Alta. (97).
Camping at the Pinery Provincial Park also received a
mention, placing 82nd on the list.
Number one on the Post's list? Whale watching in Port
Alice, B.C.
REGIONAL WRAP UP
Volunteers awarded for
service
HURON — Long -serving volunteers for the Central
Huron Fire Service were honoured at an awards cer-
emony recently, reports the Clinton News -Record.
The volunteers honoured have reached more than
300 years of service combined.
Both Huron -Bruce MP Paul Steckle and Huron -
Bruce MPP Carol Mitchell attended the event.
Included on the list of honourees is Allan Finch,
who received a 40 -year service award and Clayton
Groves who received a 45 -year service award.
Both men are retiring from the service.
Goderich miners
evacuated
GODERICH — The Sifto salt mine in Goderich was
evacuated recently.
A fire began after a haulage truck overturned in
the mine and caught fire, according to The Goderich
Signal -Star.
The driver was treated for minor injuries having
sustained cuts and bruises in the accident.
Sifto's four emergency response teams extin-
guished the fire, according to a statement from Sifto.
The mine was then monitored closely as smoke
was flushed from it.
Blyth library moves
BL H — Huron County council approved a relo-
cation for the Blyth library recently.
The new recommended spot is on Queen Street in
Blyth, it is in the space adjacent to Blyth Decor,
according to The Citizen.
A request to renovate part of the building is in the
works.
Upgrades include removing the interior walls not
required for library purposes, the installation of air
conditioning and new flooring and the space require-
ment be reviewed in three years to determine future
community needs.
Libraries throughout Huron County have improved
over the years, following a strategic library plan.
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