With eyes clenched tight and hands feeling each bead, Catholics have long spent time in deep prayer as they recite the Rosary. For visitors of the St. Thomas More House of Prayer in Cranberry Township experiencing the Rosary can include a walk in the woods. A path winds through the wooded area near the chapel and stones dot the path to mimic the beads of a Rosary.
These stones have weathered in time.
Up steps Franklin Boy Scout Andrew Rugh who was looking for a project to complete his requirements for Eagle Scout. "Obviously as parents, we're proud of the work he did. We're also proud of the fact that he chose [a project] based on faith. I think in these times, not a lot of teenagers are keen on the idea of organized religion," his mom, Christina Rugh said.
Andrew found casts and made his own pavers to replace the ones along the walk. He also had built wooden structures depicting the fourteen Stations of the Cross along the Rosary path. The idea is a place of meditation and prayer.
These stones have weathered in time.
Up steps Franklin Boy Scout Andrew Rugh who was looking for a project to complete his requirements for Eagle Scout. "Obviously as parents, we're proud of the work he did. We're also proud of the fact that he chose [a project] based on faith. I think in these times, not a lot of teenagers are keen on the idea of organized religion," his mom, Christina Rugh said.
Andrew found casts and made his own pavers to replace the ones along the walk. He also had built wooden structures depicting the fourteen Stations of the Cross along the Rosary path. The idea is a place of meditation and prayer.
The St. Thomas More House of Prayer is a Catholic retreat tucked away off Hill City Road in Cranberry, Venango County. It is a part of the Erie diocese.
Andrew's mom found out about the place years ago on a retreat. "I appreciated the concept of being faithful in nature," she said. Andrew said he glad to be able to create something in the quiet place for others to enjoy and find helpful in their religious practices.
"Setting the posts," Andrew said was the hardest part though he admits it was a bit of trial and error getting the pavers made.
"I'm just impressed we came out of it with all of our appendages intact," Christina joked describing how neither she nor her husband Chad are "builder types" and how looking up how-to videos was their go to for this project. Several hours of research, arranging qualified help and making the pavers has led to finished project for visitors to the retreat to use as a means for spiritual reflection for years to come.
Andrew's mom found out about the place years ago on a retreat. "I appreciated the concept of being faithful in nature," she said. Andrew said he glad to be able to create something in the quiet place for others to enjoy and find helpful in their religious practices.
"Setting the posts," Andrew said was the hardest part though he admits it was a bit of trial and error getting the pavers made.
"I'm just impressed we came out of it with all of our appendages intact," Christina joked describing how neither she nor her husband Chad are "builder types" and how looking up how-to videos was their go to for this project. Several hours of research, arranging qualified help and making the pavers has led to finished project for visitors to the retreat to use as a means for spiritual reflection for years to come.
Once his project is reviewed Andrew joins the storied history of scouting and a member of a brotherhood.
Over 50,000 Scouts earned their Eagle Award in 2018, one of the largest classes in the Scouts 110 year history. Each Eagle logs on average about 150 hours in their qualifying projects. Of all Scouts who begin early in life, only about 65 go on to get the Eagle certification, which is the highest honor in the Boy Scouts. In 1912 only 23 scouts earned the honor - a hundred years later they reached their highest total just 331 shy of 60,000. Pennsylvania consistently ranks in the top four states for number of earned Eagle Scout projects completed.
Over 50,000 Scouts earned their Eagle Award in 2018, one of the largest classes in the Scouts 110 year history. Each Eagle logs on average about 150 hours in their qualifying projects. Of all Scouts who begin early in life, only about 65 go on to get the Eagle certification, which is the highest honor in the Boy Scouts. In 1912 only 23 scouts earned the honor - a hundred years later they reached their highest total just 331 shy of 60,000. Pennsylvania consistently ranks in the top four states for number of earned Eagle Scout projects completed.
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