St. Michael's Parish

On Jan. 26, about 175 members of our parish and school community came together to honor two very special people -- Gary and Phyllis “Flip” West. Two years ago, the West’s generously offered our parish a $500,000 matching gift to relieve parish debt...and so, the 2011 Double Blessings campaign was launched. 

Not only did our parish and school community meet the challenge, we surpassed it by more than $120,000! For the first time in 30 years, the parish is debt-free.

At the celebration dinner, entrepreneur and philanthropist Gary West said he was surprised St. Michael’s was able to achieve the goal in such a short time. He and his wife Flip congratulated everyone and expressed their joy to be a part of something so special at our parish.
“All of you are to be congratulated for a job well done,” Gary West said. “Just look around you at this beautiful facility that is soon to be debt-free.” Flip added, “It’s remarkable what St. Michael’s has done. Congratulations to everyone who was involved with this.”

To honor the couple for their generosity, Mrs. Richardson announced the establishment of the new West Scholarship. Funded through a $10,000 lead gift from the parish, the West Scholarship will provide a $500 one-time award to three junior high students who successfully demonstrate, through a written essay, their love for helping others using their gifts of time, talent or treasure. “It is truly our honor to establish this scholarship in your name as a lasting tribute to your commitment not only to St. Michael’s but to the entire Ohio Valley,” Richardson said.

Additionally, student council officers Lindsey Baker and Isaac Rine presented a three-foot tall Thank You card signed by all SMPS students and staff, and a commemorative video created at SMPS was also presented to the couple as a keepsake. At the end of the evening, Fr. McSweeney blessed a new marble bench that will be housed in the Angelus Center as a permanent reminder of the West’s kindness to our parish and school.