A Special Thanks to the Newton Fire Department

In gratitude for their labors over the past fifteen years and on behalf of Saint Mary’s, Peter Chase presented the Newton Fire Department with an HDTV for the main fire station on the corner of Commonwealth and Washington Street. Thanks to all at St. Mary’s who helped to make this gift possible.

On Saturday, November 24th at 9:30pm the Newton Fire Department arrived with two engines, fire chief, police and a host of firefighters. Every year the fire department comes two to three times for false alarms, but this time it was real. The burner in the furnace malfunctioned and a steady stream of oil caught fire. Fortunately the smoke in the furnace room became so thick as to extinguish the fire. Smoke had filled the hallways, offices and sanctuary. We are lucky there was no damage as the firefighters were rapid in their response placing large exhaust fans to remove the noxious fumes.

Coming two days after Thanksgiving I was especially grateful to the men and women of the fire department who work so valiantly to protect our historic church. I have seen them here at 3:00am in January when an ice storm took down electrical wires and 5:00pm on a holiday afternoon when wind and sleet set off the alarm.

We are very thankful for our firefighters!