Grant Impact Story
The meeting rooms and classrooms of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux Parish in Bradford are housed in Gallina Hall, formerly Saint Bernard Elementary School, which was built in the 1960s. As such, these rooms were not particularly comfortable or inviting for the faith formation and parish small groups who met there.
Father John Jacquel, pastor of Saint Bernard Parish, sought a grant from the Catholic Foundation to support renovation and updates to one of the rooms. “The room will be updated with a new ceiling, lighting, and flooring, with updates to walls and closets together with new equipment,” Father Jacquel wrote in his grant application. “A television, laptop, and laser printer will facilitate learning through streaming and slide shows. Space and equipment will be added to provide for refreshments and there will be a place set aside to facilitate a prayer environment. These updates will facilitate the parish’s mission of creating a more vibrant faith community.”
The Catholic Foundation awarded Saint Bernard Parish a grant to support these renovations of the meeting room. Once completed, the changes to the room were well received by those who used it.
Cindy Greek, Saint Bernard’s religious education coordinator, reported the second grade class and ninth grade confirmation class use it for their religious education. These students enjoy the room. “One of our second graders boasts that they have the ‘coolest room’!” she shared. Beyond religious education, the room is used for many parish groups including pastoral council, finance council, Catholic Women’s Club, and bible study. The hope is to expand to have even more activities in the room, including family activities. Cindy also said a parishioner who donated to the room renovation took a tour and loved how the room turned out!
“The staff and parishioners of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux are so thankful to all those who donated to provide for the renovation of our Faith Formation room,” Cindy shared in thanks. “This room will provide a comfortable and prayerful environment for our parishioners and guests for years to come.”
This project was supported by a grant from the Faith Formation Endowment of the Catholic Foundation. Your gift to the Foundation in any amount designated for this endowment increases our capacity to award grants for innovative projects and programs throughout northwest Pennsylvania.
“The staff and parishioners of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux are so thankful to all those who donated to provide for the renovation of our Faith Formation room. This room will provide a comfortable and prayerful environment for our parishioners and guests for years to come.”