For the village of East Palestine, this Friday and last Friday have been night and day.
For the parishioners at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, their distress has given way to praise.

Last weekend, the train disaster placed the church squarely in the evacuation zone, cancelling services.
This weekend, the church is celebrating the feast of thanksgiving.

"Oh, how fitting," said parishioner Sonia Early. For her, it's a celebration that now carries extraordinary meaning.

"I'm thankful I got all my animals out," she said. "I had to evacuate 11 horses, two dogs and a bird, my son was home by himself...we're blessed."

"The hand of God...it was...present for us, you know, that there was no one killed, that there was no loss of life," added pastor Fr. David Misbrener. "And the damage and property, that all can be replaced."

Among the many things that the parishioners are thankful for - scores of donations, everything from food and diapers to cleaning supplies all coming in over the last several days. They say more are on the way.

"The giftedness of this small town are how people come together," Fr. Misbrener said, which they'll do at another feast day mass Sunday morning.

A celebration of praise, and the mark of a new beginning.

The church will also host a community meal on Saturday February 18 at 11am to honor the first responders and firefighters who helped get the town through the train disaster. All are welcome.