Every year, Catholic Charities of West Virginia recognizes community members who are committed to improve lives of others through service. Among this year’s Salt and Light honorees for the CCWVa Central Region are Ellen Condron of All Saints Parish, where she has served as Parish Nurse since 2000.  

 

Condron and her fellow 2017 recipients were honored April 21 at the Salt & Light Dinner held at Knights of Columbus Banquet Hall in Fairmont.

 

“It has been a very humbling experience to receive the Salt and Light award,” Condron said. “The others who are receiving the award this evening, and those who are here who have been awarded the Salt and Light award have devoted a significant part of their lives to the Healing mission of Christ by having compassion for others and living the Gospel.”

 

Regarding her 17-year service through All Saints Parish, it has been a very moving experience, she said.

 

“When I became the Parish Nurse at All Saints in 2000, I had no idea where this ministry would lead me,” she said. “It did lead me to the bedside of the sick and dying, listening to the sorrowful and bereaved, feeding those who need meals, providing services to children who need clothed and fed, and helping to make treatment more accessible for the mentally ill and the addicted.”

 

On behalf of the parish, Condron has been instrumental in organizing a series of Community Conversations to educate the community about substance abuse. To date, five events have taken place; the first four an overview of different aspects of substance abuse – encompassing opioids and heroin and the most recent one providing a model for action. At each community conversation, various keynote speakers – informing former U.S. Attorney William J. Ihlenfield II – shared their expertise.

 

The addicted have found a special place in Condron’s heart and she has made it her mission to get through to them, to save them from losing their lives to drugs and help prevent others from following the same path. Even at the April 21 recognition dinner, she was making a plea for those in attendance to reach out to anyone who may need placement for detox and treatment by calling the WVHelpline.

 

“West Virginia has the highest drug overdose death rate per capita in the nation,” she said. “By giving someone this number, you can be the salt that helps to save an addict’s life – and the light that brings them hope,” she said.

 

The next Community Conversation on Substance Abuse: A Call to Action for Families, will be held May 16 at All Saints.  

“The focus is to educate adolescents and pre-teens  and their families about the hazards of experimenting with drugs, especially opioids, heroin, and fentanyl,” Condron said.

 

Presenting that portion of the community conversation will be by two DEA agents, Dan Mavromatis, and J.T. Scroggs . Dr. Jen Randall-Reyes will present “The Effects of Drugs on the Adolescent Brain" and "Speaking Your Child's Language.”  

 

“This is about learning how to communicate with your children about drug use,” Condron said. “This is important for parents of younger children, too.”

 

Heidi O'Toole will be speaking about "The Path to Addiction.”  All of these topics are pertinent for parents, grandparents, school teachers, youth group leaders and coaches - anyone who works with children,” Condron said.

 

She and her husband Tom are longtime Bridgeport residents. Their children attended Bridgeport schools. Rebecca graduated from Bridgeport  High School in 2000, Todd in 1994 and Marie in 1992.

 

Other 2017 Salt and Light Award honorees are Joan Burns from St. Peter the Fisherman Parish in Fairmont, Martha/Mary Ministry of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Stonewood and the Summer Home Repair Committee of the Catholic churches of Preston County.