"In the coal region, for quite a long time, coal was king. The coal industry drove the employment and economics of the region. After coal peaked in 1950s, a gradual decline began that had a tremendous fallout effect on the region. It disrupted the ability to earn an income and support a family…
With the urging of Pope Francis and a broader vision of Church,
the Friars here made a decision:
where there is despair we would try to bring a spark of Hope."
Friar Martin Kobos OFM Conv.