STATEHOUSE (March 8, 2010) - State Sen. Beverly Gard said it was a day when inspiration rose high above the ashes.

Nearly three years after the St. Anne’s Catholic Church in New Castle was destroyed by an arsonist, a new facility was open for tours and Gard (R-Greenfield) had the pleasure of joining State Rep. Tom Saunders (R-Lewisville) in presenting Sister Shirley Gerth, the parish life coordinator, with a Distinguished Hoosier Award.

Gard’s presentation came Sunday during a community open house and ribbon cutting ceremony for the new facility.

“Sister Shirley has been instrumental in the healing and rebuilding process for St. Anne parishioners,” Gard said. “She has gone above and beyond the call of duty to see this church through a terrible ordeal. Thanks in part to her leadership, brighter days are ahead.”

St. Anne’s Catholic Church was destroyed by fire April 7, 2007 - the day before Easter Sunday that year. This past Sunday’s public open house helped culminate a $4.2 million fund-raising campaign to rebuild the church.

According to Gard, the Distinguished Hoosier Award is one of the highest honors given by the state of Indiana to its citizens. This award recognizes significant contributions by individuals to Indiana that “. endear them in the hearts and minds of all Hoosiers.”