Faith, service go hand in hand at Catholic-run farm in West Virginia

Published: 2005-07-28

SALEM, W.Va. (CNS) -- Every year, young people from across the country gather at a farm in rural, central West Virginia to help those in need and spend time in prayer. And in the 26 years that the Catholic-run Nazareth Farm in Salem has existed, many families and individuals in the area's low-income communities have counted on the farm's visitors who volunteer to help them meet the basic needs many people take for granted. Angie Moloney, director of Nazareth Farm, described the farm as a service and retreat facility that provides young people with the chance to experience a retreat while serving people in need. From January through August, high school and college students spend one week volunteering to help people in the area with home repairs, including roof work, painting, drywall, and the installation of siding, windows and floors. "The work is hard," said 22-year-old Matt Richardville of Fort Wayne, Ind., "but I feel joy knowing that I'm helping to make life better for people."

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