On behalf of the Sacred Heart Preservation Foundation and the Byzantine Catholic congregation of Winlock, we extend a heartfelt thank you to our many local supporters.
The Old Sacred Heart Church, at the center of Winlock, has successfully been purchased and restored to its original purpose: a central figment of the community to gather and to worship our Creator.
First and foremost, we thank those who spread the word about our seemingly-impossible project. The Chronicle was instrumental in sharing our vision with all of Lewis County, especially journalists Mitchell Roland, Brian Mittge and Ridley Hudson. Your articles and photographs truly told our story and touched so many; in fact we are framing each article for the church hall.
The local historical museums and the many local businesses who posted our flyers in their shop windows were critical in raising community awareness.
Of course our donors really made this happen — you were remembered in the prayers of the First Liturgy last Sunday. Thank you for your generosity.
We also owe a debt of gratitude to the many locals who came to our cleaning party, especially to the Knights of Columbus. Our organizer experienced a health crisis just days before, so the many volunteers who came and worked so hard truly saved the day and adequately prepared this holy temple for its first Holy Mass in a decade.
Last, but not least, we thank the 189 attendees of our grand opening inaugural Divine Liturgy offered last Sunday. Special thanks to the Romanian Catholic nuns of Holy Theophany Women’s Monastery, the Maronite Catholic monks of Sacred Heart Men’s Monastery, Father Harris, retired from the Seattle Diocese, our many altar boys, and our own Byzantine priests, Fr. Dozier and Fr. Wargake.
Again, thank you to those who have returned to the subsequent Liturgies offered on Sundays and Thursdays: you are always welcome.
We are still collecting stories and pictures for a compilation of the 100-year history of Sacred Heart at the email history@winlock.church.
Emma Turrentine
Winlock
