October 18, 2023

By David McNally
St. Joseph’s Church, Olmstedville

At the conclusion of a recent celebration of Mass at St. Joseph’s Church in Olmstedville, altar server Grace Savarie was recognized by Father Philip Allen and David Harrington, a parishioner of St. Mary’s Church in Indian Lake where Father Allen is also pastor.

Harrington presented Grace with a scholarship award from the Martha Lavergne Memorial Scholarship Fund, which is given to a college-bound faithful Catholic student who is active in his or her church and community. Grace, who is attending Magdalen College of Liberal Arts in New Hampshire, has been an altar server at St. Joseph’s for many years.

The Martha Lavergne Scholarship is offered in memory of a long-time St. Mary’s parishioner who passed away in 2008. Lavergne was active in the Indian Lake community in numerous organizations and at St. Mary’s where, she was a member of S.M.I.L.E. (St. Mary’s Indian Lake Energizers), a lector and a Eucharistic minister.

In addition to an award from St. Mary’s Martha Lavergne Memorial Scholarship Fund, Father Allen also presented Grace a check on behalf of Grace’s home parish of St. Joseph’s.

Grace, the daughter of St. Joseph parishioners Tom and Amanda Savarie, is also a recipient of a Mater Dei scholarship given to parishioners of the Diocese of Ogdensburg who are studying at a Catholic institution.