86-Year-Old Stowe Woman Chosen to Hear Historic Pope Francis Address to Congress

Photo Courtesy of U.S. Rep. Ryan Costello's office

U.S. Rep. Ryan Costello, accompanies Stowe resident Jeannine Ferrante through the U.S. Capitol on her way to hear Pope Francis address Congress Thursday.

Jeannine Ferrante has had an exciting couple of days.

The 86-year-old West Pottsgrove resident returned home Friday night after a trip to Washington, D.C. to witness Pope Francis address Congress.

"It was awe inspiring. In his humble, soft spoken way, he conveyed the most important messages, the way I imagine Jesus would," Ferrante said in written responses to questions e-mailed by The Mercury.

A parishioner of St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother Church in Stowe since 1950, when she was married there, Ferrante was selected by U.S. Rep. Ryan Costello to use one of his tickets to see the address.

" It was almost unbelievable. I was pleasantly surprised and was most grateful to Congressman Costello for this opportunity of a lifetime," Ferrante wrote.

"The friends I shared the good news with were very happy for me."

The lucky lady was a little too tired after all the excitement to speak to The Mercury directly, but she did agree to answer some written questions.

She wrote that she found the Capitol to be "very impressive. It would be nice if every American could visit it."

Ferrante had only been there previously on school trips.

It's the first time she has ever seen a Pope in person.

Prior to heading to Washington, Ferrante did speak with Candy Woodall, a reporter from The Harrisburg Patriot-News.

In a Sept. 9 article, Ferrante said she is a fan of Francis.

"I think he's marvelous. I'm very fortunate to be chosen to be close to this person," she said.

"I'm not sure what would be best for him to say, but I'm sure whatever he says will be enlightening. Congress will hear something they've never heard before," Ferrante told the Patriot-News.

Five Apply to Replace Watson on L. Pottsgrove Board

Mercury Photo by John Strickler
Shawn Watson resigned from the township commissioners
board earlier this month.

The list of five people who applied to replace Shawn Watson on the Lower Pottsgrove Board of Commissioners includes a current school board president, a former school board president, a former Pottstown borough manager and a candidate running for the board as a Democrat.

Commissioners Chairman Bruce Foltz announced Thursday night that five people applied to replace Shawn Watson, who stepped down earlier this month in the wake of revelations about non-payment of taxes.

The candidates are Pottsgrove School Board President Justin Valentine, former Pottsgrove School Board president and current township planning commission member B. Scott Fulmer, former Pottstown borough manager Ray Lopez, Charles Nippert, who won a Democratic line on the November election ballot in the spring primary as a write-in candidate and resident Bob Franciose.

Foltz said all five candidates will be interviewed publicly at a special meeting scheduled for Wednesday at 6 p.m. at the township building on Buchert Road.

The other item likely of interest to many residents was the adoption of the animal registration fee.

As you may recall., two weeks ago the commissioners adopted an ordinance limiting the number of animals residents can have, depending on the size of the property on which they are kept.

Those who would be in violation of this ordinance can avoid paying fines by registering the excessive number of animals they have with the township.

The fee to do that is $10, and it must be done within 45 days of yesterday.

To learn more about what happened at last night's meeting, check out the Tweets.