Neighbors and Friends

     While at lunch today, two individuals stopped by Romano's restaurant in Irwin to pick up a number of pizzas donated to help relief workers in the Westmoreland County area hit by the tornado on Wednesday.  In think that I overheard them say that over five hundred people showed up today to help their friends and neighbors begin to clean up the area, salvaging personal items and clothing and furniture.   Many lives were devastated and many more traumatized by the sudden and violent winds on that Wednesday afternoon.  I know quite a few families in the area of Fort Allen from my days at the Church of Saint Paul in Greensburg.  None of those that I know were seriously damaged, but some neighbors only two houses away were virtually destroyed.  As I said before ... the miracle is that no one lost their life or were seriously injured.

     The scriptures ask the question: "Who is my neighbor?"  These volunteers and friends and families are indeed "neighbors" to those in need in Hempfield township and the area.  Our thanks goes out to them.

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     I mentioned the youngsters at Queen of Angels Regional Catholic School in an earlier post.  This school serves our area.  Friday afternoon I attended the third grade "State Fair" exhibit, and it brought back great memories.  The youngsters divided up the States and gave a little showcase of each, having the other grades visit and receive souvenirs of the States - cotton ball from Georgia, Mardi Gras beads from Louisiana, sunflower seed packets, and even a small sample of Ben and Jerry's ice cream from Vermont (I think).  It was fun.  It brought back memories of geography, one of my favorite subjects in elementary school.  It also brought back memories of vacations, workshops meetings and other trips that took me to many of those States.  The kids always do a wonderful job.

     Tomorrow afternoon the school holds its Sports Banquet to celebrate accomplishments  and to honor the youngsters involved in the various avenues of sports that are a part of our school.  We have a great school at Q of A.  We are proud.