Early on the blustery evening of March 1, Archbishop of Portland, the Very Reverend John G Vlazny joined an attentive group of CCS supporters and staff at the new Eugene Community Service Center. He came at the invitation of Executive Director Ed Monks to offer a blessing of the new facility, its staff, and the people who seek assistance there.

After Ed Monks welcomed him to the Service Center, the Archbishop offered brief remarks citing the important service CCS provides for the community in its continuation of the work begun decades ago by the Monsignor Edmund Murnane. The blessing ceremony included scriptural reading by CCS Board President Brian Caughey, a hymn lead by Director of Development Monica Wilton, and a blessing prayer and sprinkling of holy water by the Archbishop throughout the facility and of the people gathered there.