St. Joe’s reclaims party duties for Race for the Cure
Posted on Thursday, March 27, 2008
The traditional pasta party held on the evening before the Ozark Komen Race for the Cure is back on at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Tontitown," same as every year," according to Alison Levin, executive director of the Ozark Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
"We worked out of all our issues," Levin said.
The issues included the church withdrawing its offer to host the event following a statement from the Catholic Diocese of Little Rock discouraging its parishes and schools from supporting or participating in any activities benefiting Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
Diocesan Administrator J. Gaston Hebert later rescinded the statement, claiming he had incorrect information and that the national Komen foundation does not give grants to Planned Parenthood as was previously thought, and therefore money raised in Arkansas does not, even indirectly, fund abortion.
St. Joseph's then renewed its offer to host the event, as it has for seven years.
The affiliate, in the meantime, had received four offers from churches and businesses willing to step in.
Its officials ultimately decided to stick with the tradition, Levin said.
"The ladies and gentlemen that have always made the pasta really wanted to host it again," she said. "It's been a great venue for us, and they've opened their doors to us again."
Levin said there are no hurt feelings between the affiliate and the church.
"We are very pleased that we've worked out the issues and are delighted to be going back," she said.
Monsignor James Mancini said he called the affiliate once the statement was rescinded and offered the church as a location again.
They responded, he said, and it's set for April 18.
"There were a lot of people in support of it," he said. "I'm sorry we had the wrong information about where the money was going."
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