St. Patrick provides assistance in Habitat for Humanity projects

YOUNGSTOWN — While the membership of St. Patrick Church has plans to refurbish the stained- glass windows in anticipation of the 100th anniversary in 2011, they also take interest improving the neighborhood in the Oak Hill Avenue area and beyond.

The Rev. Ed Noga, pastor, said the church is working with Habitat for Humanity on two projects. “Ground was broken for a Habitat house across the street,” Father Noga said.

The church also is sponsoring a 4-H group, which will plant flowers and vegetables in lots on Cleveland Street that the church acquired through Lien Forward Ohio.

And Friday, a group from the church started driving to Slidell, La., where it will work on another Habitat project. St. Patrick is one of many Mahoning Valley churches that have sponsored work trips to the area, which is in the rebuilding process.

“We started a relationship with Our Lady of Lourdes in Slidell about two years ago,” Father Noga said. “After Hurricane Katrina hit, we contacted the archdiocese there. We’re partnering with that parish.”

Father Noga said Our Lady of Lourdes Church and school, which had 600 students, were destroyed. The replacement cost is $18 million.

“Americans are great at responding to an immediate need,” Father Noga said, noting they did just that after Katrina. “We’re in this for a long-term relationship. There’s value to that,” he said.

Father Noga credited the Rev. Edward Brienz, an associate at St. Columba Cathedral, for offering valuable and practical assistance for the church work trip. “He’s the resource guy,” Father Noga said, noting Father Brienz has assisted other groups in this kind of effort.

Father Noga said the group is being housed at Peace Lutheran Church in Slidell, and will stop at another Lutheran church on the way down.