GRAVESEND — The adoration chapel at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church is getting a facelift for the first time in more than two decades thanks to a 17-year-old Boy Scout looking to do a good deed!
On August 3, parishioner Joseph Rotondi of local Scout Troop 376 led about 50 volunteers into the chapel to paint the interior, fix cracks in its ceiling and pews, replaster wall seams, replace some floor tiles, and repair the fence outside.
The dedicated Scout has also led the way in raising nearly $1,700 to pay for the renovations, which concluded on Friday, Aug. 9.
The project was the final step in Rotondi’s efforts to attain the rank of Eagle Scout — but that was far from his only motive for taking it on.
A graduate of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Academy, Rotondi has said serving his community is about more than earning the badges that adorn his Scout uniform. He wants to make a difference. So, when it came time for him to choose his project, he turned to Our Lady of Grace pastor Father Guy Sbordone to see what the parish needed.
Father Sbordone informed the enthusiastic scout that around 300 people visit the old chapel every two months for silent prayer and devotion. He mentioned that renovating the space would attract even more visitors.
“I’ve seen people that come every day here. They stay for half an hour or 45 minutes in prayer,” Rotondi said. “It’s really amazing that they devote so much time to the Eucharist.”
After speaking with fellow parishioners who also believed the chapel needed a makeover, Rotondi created a plan with the pastor and pitched it to the Greater New York Council for Scouting America.
Joseph’s parents, Nicoletta and Anthony Rotondi, admire their son’s commitment to the Scouts and appreciate the skills he’s gained from the program. Nicoletta said the renovation project has allowed her son to express leadership skills, and they’ve both pitched in to help with the renovation—taking orders from their son.
One of the volunteers painting the fence outside the chapel on August 4 was Rotondi’s good friend and Eagle Scout, Colin Thompson, who calls him “one of the hardest workers” he knows. He added that he was happy to lend a hand because Rotondi had helped him with his Eagle Scout project.
“This process is all about teaching a Scout how to problem-solve and manage a project,” Thompson said. “It’s also about teaching leadership skills and character.”
Ironically, because it is a leadership project, Rotondi cannot take part in the actual labor himself!
“If Joe were able to pick up a paintbrush,” Thompson said with a laugh, “he would have this done in one day.”
Meanwhile, Father Sbordone said he is excited to see the final results, knowing how much it will mean to the parish community.
“New lighting, new painting and everything to make it clean and presentable,” he said. “[We’re] making it into the space it’s supposed to be for prayer, for devotions, and give people that opportunity to use it.”
He reminds people the diocese’s first adoration chapel remains open and enourages them to visit from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
“It’s still open for people to come,” he said, “and the Blessed Sacrament is here for people to come and pray.”