San Damiano Center for Sustainability: Framing in Progress, Part II by Eric Fitts, Director When we last left off, we were in the midst of installing headers and just beginning to get a few joists in. Up until this point, primarily Caretakers and Summer Servants had worked on site, as the detail work and post … Continue reading San Damiano Center for Sustainability: Framing in progress, Part II
Thanks to the groups from Cristo Rey Chicago, Ursuline (MA), Ursuline (New Orleans) and Our Lady of Grace (IN) for a great week.
June 9-15, 2019, High School Week: Merion Mercy (Philly), Walsh Jesuit (Cuyahoga Falls, OH), and St. Ignatius College Prep (Chicago Thanks to the groups from Merion Mercy, Walsh Jesuit, and St. Ignatius College Prep for a great week. Making a difference serving with Melissa, Teshla, Wellspring, Farmer Rhonda, and on the homefront. Thanks to these … Continue reading June 9-15, 2019, High School Week
San Damiano Center for Sustainability: Framing in Progress, Part I by Eric Fitts, Director An update is overdue! The Shelter-Kit framing kit arrived on a 54-foot truck and trailer with 33,000 lbs of materials. Since the truck could not get up our 1/2-mile driveway, it took all afternoon and the next morning to get the … Continue reading San Damiano Center for Sustainability: Framing in progress, Part I
The Summer Servant community this summer has been a huge support--they really put the "farm" in Bethlehem Farm and have made the self-build on the San Damiano Center for Sustainability possible.
Property Purchase: Once-in-a-lifetime Opportunity by Eric Fitts, Director Great news! We have signed a sales agreement with the Diocese to purchase the 48-acre Bethlehem Farm property that we have been leasing! The Diocese accepted our offer of $36,000 and it is time for us to formally invite you to contribute to this essential investment. Sponsor a … Continue reading Property Purchase Appeal
Thanks to the groups from Our Lady of Grace (IN) and St. Luke/St. Lawrence (NJ) for a great week.
May 12-18, 2019, College Week: Alvernia University (Reading, PA) Thanks to the group from Alvernia University, a Franciscan school near Reading, PA, for a great week. Making a difference serving with Melissa, Teshla, Wellspring, Farmer Rhonda, and on the homefront. Thanks to these students and their group leader Krista for their selfless love and their … Continue reading May 12-18 College Week
San Damiano Center for Sustainability: Foundation Complete, Part XI by Eric Fitts, Director The crew from Solak Builders was back to make some relief cuts in the slab, begin some block work around the rain water hydrant for the chicken coop, and lay the last 2 courses of block on top of the slab to … Continue reading San Damiano Center for Sustainability: Foundation Complete, Part XI
12 years ago the day before yesterday, Colleen and I graduated from grad school at WVU. 12 years ago yesterday Colleen and I moved in at Bethlehem Farm, greeted by the sole Caretaker at the time, Russ Plywaczynski. 2 hours later, a group arrived from Illinois State and we met Lauren LaCoy, among others. A week later, Kathleen Brian … Continue reading Reflections on 12 years at Bethlehem Farm