Three Our Lady of the Angels Province friars reside in the Blessed Sacrament Friary, in Burlington, NC. Friar Peter Tremblay, OFM Conv. serves as Associate Chaplain for Catholic Life and Catholic Campus Minister at Elon University. The other two friars there, Friar Paul Lininger, OFM Conv. and Friar Vincent Rubino, OFM Conv. serve as Pastor and Parochial Vicar at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Community, which includes a parish and a parochial school. This past February 2022, the parish installed Solar Panels on the roof of the church, and some of the school students were able to walk over and ask questions during the installation. This project is one of many solar panel projects throughout our province ministries and provides another example of our friars living our Franciscan Charism of Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation (JPIC).
Some thoughts on the project:
- One Year In the Making:
- Consultations
- Diocesan Regulators
- Financial Resources
- Deciding to Lease or Purchase System
- Selection of Solar Company
- Project Costs Total – $215,000
- Parish Sought Grant Relief Total – $125,000
- $75,000 from Duke Energy Rebate
- $50,000 Outside Grant
- Balance – $90,000
- Parishioner Contributions
- One Parishioner Matched Funds Gifted – Huge Supporter of Solar Energy
- All Costs Met to Purchase the System
- Parish Receiving Utility Costs Benefits Immediately
- Interconnector Meter ‘going backwards’ for the Church
If any other parish community is thinking about moving forward with solar panels, our Blessed Sacrament Catholic Community is happy to share their experience in the process as well as potential resources for assistance.
