A New Endowment for St. Matthew Parish
Dick and Rosann Noel and Tom and Andrea Harrington, along with Gene and Alice Lamb, were an inseparable “trinity” of couples. They raised their families together, shared business interests, and had a lot of fun. After Tom died in 2012 and Rosann passed six years later, Dick and Andy kindled a long friendship into a golden-years romance and married in 2019. They shared everything – even going to each other’s churches: Andy was a devout Catholic, who helped found St. Matthew Church along with Tom; Dick was a fervent Episcopalian whose family had helped establish the Episcopal parish in Champaign over a century earlier. Last spring, their romance was cut short as Andy was diagnosed with an illness that would call her Home in May 2021.
In honor of Andy’s Catholic Faith and as an expression of their enduring love and friendship, Dick has established the Andrea Harrington Endowment for the Support of the Clergy of St. Matthew. For years to come this endowment will provide the priests of our parish with opportunities “above and beyond” what our parish budget could allow, such as advanced educational experiences, seminars, retreats, and even needed updates and repairs to the rectory that would otherwise not be possible. This endowment will be an enduring testimony to love: Andrea’s love for her parish, the love between the Harrington and Noel families, and Dick’s tender love for his bride.
St. Matthew Parish is very grateful to Dick for this very special endowment. If you would like to give a gift in support of this new endowment in memory of Andrea Harrington or in honor of our parish priests past or present, send your donation to the parish office. Check should be made out to St. Matthew Parish, and note “Andrea Harrington Endowment” in the memo. Contact Chris Kreps for more information.