A 50-year-old treasured statue of St. Angela Merici has been donated to St. Angela Merici Catholic School by the Ursuline Sisters.
St. Clair Catholic District School Board officials say the statue was removed from its place of honour in an inner courtyard at 20 Merici Way and transported up the street earlier this month, where it will now be the focal point of the main foyer in the new school.
“We are so honoured to receive this beautiful statue of St. Angela Merici by the Ursuline Sisters, who brought the gift of Catholic education to Chatham more than a century-and-a-half ago,” stated Deb Crawford, Director of Education, in a press release.
The statue was sculpted in South Bend, Indiana in 1970 by Father Anthony Lauck, who also designed the windows in the Pines Chapel, school board official say.
Father Lauck was an accomplished artist in drawing, glass, sculpture and wood carving. His statue depicts St. Angela with a young friend, as an illustration of her dedication to improve the lives of women and youth.
Another important milestone at the school has been reached, school board officials added, as the building is no longer a construction site.
Norlon Builders Limited, the general contractor, has officially turned the property over to the St. Clair Catholic District School Board.
Principal Juli Faubert and Vice Principal and Vice Principal Sara Vadovic accepted the keys to the building from Jason Butcher, Project Manager for Norlon Builders, school board officials say.
In the weeks ahead, St. Clair Catholic staff will be busy moving furniture, equipment and supplies into the building and custodial staff will give the new school a thorough top to bottom cleaning.
“This is a project milestone that we have been waiting for,” stated Laura Callaghan, Superintendent of Education, in a media release.
“Now we are busy making all of the final preparations to welcome our students and staff. It is an exciting time for our Board as we prepare to open Chatham’s newest school in many, many years.”
