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The Valley independentFriday, June 9,1989-7 BFather Ackerman leaves Valley but accomplishments remain% By ELIZABETH HORNECHARLEROI — After spen-ding only half-an-hour with Father Keith L. Ackerman it is easy to understand why he was so loved by the people of the Mon Valley.For almost 13 years, “the happiest of my life/ Fr. Ackerman has been the rector of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Charleroi.He has left St. Mary’s and the Valley to accept a call as rector of St. Mark’s Church in Arlington, Texas.The McKeesport native, along with the assistance of his wife, Joann and three children, Keith, Renee and Lynne, has played a very active role in the community.Fr. Ackerman is the! founder of St. Elizabeth’s Chapel in Bentley ville and cofounder of Reconciliation House in Charleroi, a Christian counseling service. Additionally, he has served on many boards and commissions.“I feel so totally committed to the Mon Valley, par-ticulary the unemployed and underemployed,” said Fr. Ackerman, who was a steelworker at one time.The unemployed are often treated as if they are not motivated, he felt. In his ministry he set out to find God in each person.“It is the church’s task to pray and work with them and show how important they are,” he said.He added that he would like to see parochialism put asideFR. KEITH ACKERMANand have all churches define common goals as Christians and residents of the same community and work together.ACCOMPLISHMENTSFr. Ackerman will be leaving quite a few reminders of his time in the Valley. In 1983 St. Mary’s was designated by the Diocese of Pittsburgh as a model parish in the area of pastoral care, to name just one.However, his time in the area has given him many personal accomplishments as well.“I have watched the parish grow from a small parish to a large parish,” he said. “1 was able to see the parish welcome everyone with openarms, no matter what their background.”His accomplishments extended into the community as well.His greatest personal community accomplishment?“To be able to walk down the street and have people talk to me, hug me and to have children play with me,” he said.He was honored by the Bishop when he received an Ecumenical award from the Christian Association of Western Pennsylvania for his work with the unemployed and flood victims.Fr. Ackerman was deeply involved in providing assistance and relief to local flood victims during the 1985 flood.“I would hope that my name will be forgotten, as long as the eyes (of the people in power to offer assistance to the Mon Valley) are on the needs of the area,” he added.Fr. Ackerman attributes much of the success that he has been able to enjoy to his family.“I have the most loving and supportive wife,” he said. “We work together as a family,” he said of his wife and children. GOALSHis main goal for the Mon Valley would be “people.” He would like people to “draw together and become one united community.”Secondly he would like to see more jobs in the area and more industry. To accomplish this he feels that the mid Mon Valley Express andMAGLEV (Magnetic Levitation Transit System) could help by linking the Mon Valley more closely with Pittsburgh.Once linked and closer to jobs, then people will begin moving into the area.“They will see what a wonderful place (the Mon Valley) is to live in and what wonderful people Jive here,” said Father.MESSAGES He had a few messages to leave the people of the area.“Every person in this community is worth the effort,” he said. “So love them and make them feel they are created in the image of God.” “Everyday you should live the life of Christ because you could be the only Bible they (the people you come in contact with) have,” Fr. Ackerman said. This sentiment was told to him by one of his teachers.“Examples convert people not words,” he added.He offers his thanks to the parish for “loving me and trusting me enough to support all of the work in and outside of the parish.”“I don’t believe I could serve a more loving parish,” he added.Additionally, he wished to thank the community for “the love and support shown.”He added, “If they (thepeo-le of the Mon Valley) want to onor me, do so by thinking of what they can do that day to help friends and neighborss have a happier life.”
Newspaper Details
Monessen Valley Independent
Monessen, Pennsylvania, US
Fri, Jun 09, 1989
Page 18
Full Page
Clipped by
Library O.
MI, USA 26 Apr 2023
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