Christ the Redeemer Parish is answering the need to serve the elderly and physically challenged faithful by installing a handicapped-accessible ramp at the Mount Holly parish.

For several years the community has witnessed the struggle of various members to attend church services in our community; able-bodied parishioners have assisted the elderly and handicapped to take their place amidst their fellow parishioners, but a long-term solution was necessary. Christ the Redeemer pastor Father Rene M. Pulgarin and the parish council recognized the need for the structural addition and dedicated the 2012 “Build Our Church” project to the funding of a ramp into the church.

The parish’s first-ever gala fundraising dinner was held in October; many volunteers responded with great enthusiasm, donating months of preparation time to make it a success. Other fundraisers including fish fry dinners and directed donations helped amass the monies necessary for the construction of the ramp.

Groundbreaking for the project was celebrated May 8 by Father Rene M. Pulgarin, and a select group of parishioners representing the community as key ramp stakeholders. A golden shovel thrust into the earth marked the site of the future $40,000 ramp, due to be completed next month by Belton Associates of Mount Holly.

At the ceremony, Father Pulgarin and parishioners extended their heartfelt thanks to those who gave their time, talents and money so that the elderly and handicapped of the parish might enjoy the Eucharist alongside all in their church family of Christ the Redeemer.