CENTER — The Saint Peter and Saint Paul Catholic Church in San Pedro received an upgrade of rain gutters from a 17-member group of skilled volunteers from the Knights of Columbus Council 1498 from Saint Mark's Parish in Highlands Ranch, Colo. This successful collaboration is a testament to the power of community and volunteerism. 

The San Pedro Church Restoration Committee warmly welcomed the energetic group, fostering a sense of community and togetherness. The Knights from St. Mark's provided the materials, equipment, and manpower for the ambitious project, which started Thursday night and concluded Saturday afternoon, May 1-3. Part of this group also went to paint a church in Center. 

Bernie Kuta, the project supervisor, said over the past five years, his group has worked in La Valley, the San Acacio Church, the Knights of Columbus Hall, and the Parish Hall in San Luis, and they have done some work on the Chama Church. 

"It's an honor for us to help communities that want to do restoration repair projects but can't do it themselves,” said Kuta. They have also done projects like the Vietnam Martyrs at a Hermitage in Colorado Springs and at the Regina Celi Hermitage in Jefferson County. They also sponsor a Summer Camp in Estes Park, among other projects. 

San Pedro Church Restoration Committee Chair Frank Vigil expressed the deep gratitude of the San Pedro Community to the Highlands Ranch Knights of Columbus group. 

Vigil said, "Thank you for the great work you're doing here. We appreciate it. You're part of our family." 

Kuta and other members responded, "We had great participation from the locals as we worked here. We learned some of your history. Our hospitality was outstanding, and the food was great. We enjoyed the days here." 

Mother Nature chipped in with two workdays of beautiful weather. 

The committee members provided delicious potluck breakfasts and lunches of red and green chile, beans, posole, tortillas, buñuelos, biscochitos, sopa, rice, and many other goodies. Friday night, Frank Vigil hosted a spare ribs barbecue at his home, and Carlos Atencio provided many samples of his various homemade bottled wines. A good time was had by all.