While many people were partying with the Super Bowl on Sunday, a Farrell family had different cause for celebrating.

Mercer County Habitat for Humanity officially dedicated a new home at 1212 Roemer Blvd. for Karen Brodie and her three sons, Julius, 13, Marcus, 10, and Kevin, 8.

"I want to say God answers prayers," Ms. Brodie told a crowd of about 50 Habitat volunteers, family and community members. "What a blessing this has been for me."

So many people were involved and so much work went into the construction that Ms. Brodie said it was impossible to thank everyone by name.

Donna Stamoolis, family support sponsor and member of Habitat’s board of directors, presented members of the Brodie family with a Bible for their new home.

Mrs. Stamoolis said she knows the family has weathered numerous hardships and this project has been a true blessing. She said they will make good community members.

"This, I think, is just one of the joyous occasions we celebrate with our families," Mrs. Stamoolis said. "Karen had a home before; she just needed a house to put it in."

The Brodies were also presented with a hammer used in the construction and a clock made by Dave and Wilma Christman. The West Salem Township couple gives a clock to each new Habitat homeowner.

Farrell Mayor William Morocco also extended a welcome. He said Habitat for Humanity has helped the city’s progress.

"We’re pleased that this is a step forward for us," Morocco said. "It’s a good fit."

"This house is just quality made," Ms. Brodie said, adding that all of the volunteers did a "beautiful job."

Ground was broken for the Brodie’s home in April. In June, 23 volunteers from the Faith Presbyterian Church in Park Forest, Ill., and local Habitat volunteers built the two-story, three-bedroom home with a living/dining room, a kitchen and 1 1/2 bathrooms.

Habitat is a nonprofit housing ministry that builds simple, affordable houses, primarily through volunteer labor and some donated materials.

The houses are sold at cost to working families through no-interest loans. The families must put in hours of "sweat equity," which can include work on the house and administrative and fund-raising chores for the organization.

"Ms. Brodie and her family have completed far more than the required 500 hours of sweat equity to become Habitat homeowners," a news release said.

The Brodie home is the fifth built in Mercer County since the local organization became a Habitat for Humanity International affiliate in February 1993.