Reservist's parish project cheers Iraqi children, U.S. soldiers

Published: 2004-04-16

ELMIRA, N.Y. (CNS) -- Amid the deadly conflict in Iraq, U.S. soldiers and civilian children received a ray of sunshine all the way from Chemung County, N.Y. -- thanks to the efforts of an Elmira man and his parish. Rob Philpott, a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve, served overseas for more than a year, including several months in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad. Philpott helped complete a project by his home parish, St. Casimir/St. Charles Borromeo in Elmira, in which the religious education program collected gifts for American military personnel and produced inspirational drawings and notes for orphaned, disabled children. Jean Keenan, faith formation coordinator at St. Casimir/St. Charles Borromeo, said the efforts were part of a weekly "Caring and Sharing" component involving all religious education classes in kindergarten through grade 8. Two of the program's teachers are Philpott's wife, Mary Ann, who teaches second grade, and their 19-year-old daughter, Colleen, who teaches grades 7 and 8.

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