Recently, at the dedication and blessing of our new center in Imperial, which serves the western region of the diocese of Lincoln, I told Bishop Conley that when opening a new thrift store and social service and counseling center in a community, the support of the pastor is very important for its success. This applies not only in Imperial but in Auburn, where we have the St. Francis Center which serves the southeastern sector of our diocese.
I would like to thank Father Phil Rauth for his support when we opened the St. Francis Gift & Thrift in Auburn and now Father Gregory Pawloski for his continued support as we recently expanded and enlarged our physical plant to include more floor space for the thrift store, storage and warehouse space, social and clinical service offices and most importantly, a beautiful chapel dedicated to St. Francis with the Blessed Sacrament. Within this chapel are two gorgeous stained-glass windows, one of the Holy Family in a nativity scene and one of St. Francis.
Recently, members of the Knights of Columbus raised some funds for the St. Francis stained-glass window in order to dedicate it to Father Rauth. Since the window was already paid for, the funds were earmarked to help needy families and individuals who are homeless, those who are at risk for becoming homeless, and for grants for individuals who are in need of counseling and who are un-insured or under-insured.
Just days ago, Dr. John Crotty, Jim Florence and John Collins hand-delivered a check for $3,553, which was garnered from individual donations solicited by the Knights from St. Joseph in Auburn and St. Clara in Peru, and sweet corn sales from corn picked and sold from Bill and Lana Fulton’s farm, also by the Knights.
I would like to thank all those who donated and helped with this wonderful project which will allow us to help more individuals and families in need, an example of charity in action.
