Antioch Rd. churches join hands to remember kindness of parishioner

It was a hot summer day back in June when three parishioners from the Catholic Church of Saint Gabriel saw their new neighbors at the Episcopal Church of the Nativity sweating over the hard soil attempting to plant vegetation at their new home.

Having been through the strict county regulations of preparing to open a new facility, Saint Gabriel parishioners Carl Calcaterra, Tom Puglia and Chuck Leonard offered to assist and came complete with a tractor to help dig through the tough Georgia clay.

"Our relationship started back in June," recalled Episcopal pastor Fr. Bob Hudak. "We were deeply moved by their gentle kindness."

Since that summer day, Tom Puglia died of a heart attack while vacationing with his entire family in celebration of his 50th wedding anniversary.

Saddened, the Episcopal congregation said they wanted to do something to honor the trio of good shepherds and decided to plant a tree on the Catholic Church property in honor of Puglia.

Earlier this month, Fr. Hudak and several Episcopal parishioners visited Beltran House, home of the Catholic Church of Saint Gabriel, and brought with them a 12-foot red maple tree which the two churches planted as a memorial to their fallen friend.

Before a crowd of about 25 people at the planting ceremony, Fr. Hudak said "We wanted to do something in appreciation to show how God works through us. The Crape Myrtles at our entrance will always remind us of what these people did for us, but we wanted to do something over here."

Saint Gabriel's pastor, Fr. Daniel Toof, thanked the neighbors for their kindness, blessed the planting, and led the group in prayer as the parishioners gathered around the tree.

Attending the ceremony were Puglia's daughter, Julieann Gablin of New Jersey, and his widow, Rosemarie.

Saying she was moved by the gesture, Mrs. Puglia thanked the members of the Episcopal Church. "They were so thoughtful to do such a nice gesture for Tommy," she said. "I know he would be very pleased."

The churches are both located on Antioch Road off of Ga. Hwy. 92 in South Fayette County.

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