Posted July 12, 2016

A victory garden and renovated facility in Coatesville was blessed by Bishop John McIntyre three years after it began helping veterans and their families in Chester, Montgomery and Delaware counties. See photos from the blessing and grand opening June 30, and read the full story here.

  • Bishop John McIntyre offers the blessing at Operating Base Cecilia in Coatesville.

  • Bishop John McIntyre blesses the victory garden and the Operating Base Cecilia and its grand opening in Coatesville June 30, as Ed Lis, an official with Catholic Social Services, assists. The CSS-run facility helps up to 75 former military servicemen and their families each month in the converted former Catholic school.

  • At the blessing and grand opening of Operating Base Cecilia June 30 are, from left: Maura ““Mo”” Gillen, Lt. Col. (Ret.), U.S. Army, and former OBC director; James Amato, secretary for Catholic Human Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia; Mark Beaugard, chair of the OBC Development Committee; Amy Stoner of Catholic Social Services; Bishop John McIntyre; Emily Riley, executive vice president of the Connelly Foundation; Ed Lis of Catholic Social Services; Tim Williams, executive director of the Veterans Multi-Service Center; and Tim O’’Mally, a volunteer from St. Cornelius Parish, Chadds Ford.

  • A disabled veteran finds it easy to use Operating Base Cecilia with the help of an elevator with outdoor access.