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• Belmont • Cramerton • Lowell • McAdenville • Mount Holly • Stanley
Thursday, September 24, 2020
Bishop Peter J. Jugis cuts the ribbon at St. Joseph College Seminary.
St. Joseph College Seminary College holds grand opening By Alan Hodge alan@cfmedia.info
Tuesday, September 15 saw the official opening of the Catholic Diocese of Charlotte’s St. Joseph College Seminary near Mt. Holly. Bishop Peter J. Jugis cut the ribbon for the 30,000 sq. ft. facility which is located on 86 acres just off Perfection Ave. The school will be home to 40 young men who are exploring a vocation to the Catholic priesthood while
This photo shows the spectacular Gothic architecture style the school is built in. also pursuing their undergraduate degrees at Belmont Abbey College less than two miles away. “Priesthood is a special calling that requires a certain intellectual, human and spiritual formation,” Bishop Jugis said. “Though we’ve been blessed with many good and holy priests, we need more to meet the needs of our rapidly growing flock. So it is essential that we make every effort to help See SEMINARY, Pages 6 & 7
Belmont Fire Dept. gets brand new fire truck By Alan Hodge alan@cfmedia.info
After many months of planning and building, the Belmont Fire Department has taken delivery of a much needed new fire truck. The 2020 Smeal brand machine was custom built for Belmont in Nebraska. It arrived in Belmont last week and will be assigned either to the Keener Blvd. or the station on South Point Rd. Belmont FD division captain Craig Austin led the committee that determined how the truck would be configured and equipped. Cost of the truck was around $600,000. It took a year to build. “It should be ready for use in a couple of weeks,” Austin said. “We
still have some more equipment that’s coming for installation.” The truck weighs 44,000 pounds and is just over 32 feet long. It replaces a truck that dates to 2008 That truck will be kept at the Keener Blvd. Station as a spare. The new truck has an amazing array of safety and firefighting devices. LED spotlights all around the truck can light up a night time scene bright as day. The cab has airbags for firefighter safety. It also has air conditioning. The new truck has small “blind spot” cameras on the outside that show the driver what’s near the truck. See FIRE TRUCK, Page 3
Photos by Alan Hodge
Veteran’s program launched at Shining Hope Farms By Alan Hodge alan@cfmedia.info
When U.S. Navy veteran Michael Frazier, 51, climbs on Lewis the horse at Shining Hope Farms near Stanley, he’s all smiles and his worries fade away. That’s because Frazier is one of a group of veterans taking part in Shining Hope Farm’s new “Saddles and Salutes” therapeutic riding program. “I was looking for therapy to manage my stress and anxiety,” Frazier said. “I learned about Shining Hope Farms through my church, Stonebridge Church Community.” Frazier has been coming to Shining Hope Farms each week since the start of the year. “It’s something I look forward to,” he said. “It really calms me down.” On his most recent therapy session, Frazier and See SHINING HOPE, Page 4
Shining Hope Farms client Michael Frazier sits astride Lewis flanked by instructors Rachel Evans (left) and Verena Stock. Photo by Alan Hodge
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