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The Jubilee Garden, which will commemorate the 100th anniversary of St. Anthony RC Church, was held Sunday.
The project is the result of a
fundraising effort involving parishioners and local businesses.
A highlight of the ceremony was the unveiling of a statue of St. Anthony.
Pictured (from left) are Sister Marisa De Rose, principal of St. Anthony School;
Robert Maggio, representing the Holy Name Society, which donated the statue;
Monsignor George Hundt, pastor and JR Rubinacci, project manager.
The Jubilee Garden at St. Anthony’s
built in the church’s 100th year, was
dedicated Sunday as a lasting symbol of
the parishioners’ faith as a people of God.
The garden, which sits between the
rectory of the Roman Catholic Church and
the parochial school, is now open to the
public.
Hundreds of parishioners, who had
contributed to the fundraising effort to
construct the garden, attended the
ceremony.
"Our Jubilee Garden has been built in
honor of our 100th anniversary as a parish
community." said Monsignor George
Hundt, the church’s pastor, “This garden
celebrates the blessings that God has
bestowed upon our church and symbolizes
that we are, as a people of faith, joyfully
living Christ’s mission for a century and
beyond.”
A highlight of the ceremony was the
unveiling of a statue of St. Anthony,
which was donated by the Holy Name
Society.
"This statue that stands at the center of
this space is meant to remind us that our
beloved patron. Anthony, loves us. is near
us and intercedes ceaselessly for us in our
efforts to grow closer to Christ and to
follow Him as the Way, the Truth and the
Life,” said Monsignor.
John Ikubinacci, who co-chaired this
fundraising effort with his wife, Linda,
were introduced by monsignor as
“parishioners and good friends.”
“This is a vision Msgr. George had
many years ago,” said JR Rubinacci,
“and put a team together.”
He cited
the following local businesses for
working on the project. Frank Jager,
Jager Landscaping; Kenneth O’Boyle,
K2 Construction; Scott Nickl of Nickl
Electric and Downes Tree Service.
He gave special mention to Mary Ann
Martone, Clem Diglio and Al LaBarre for
their work on the committee and to
Corrado’s for their generosity in providing
the refreshments.
A reception followed in
the school gym.
“With God at our helm and with a little
help from our friends, there is nothing we
can’t do for a century and beyond,” stated
Rubinacci,
Monsignor Hundt and Father Brian
Sullivan used holy water to bless the
garden, which consists of a pergola.
several benches and brick payers. The
pillars on the pergola and all of the
hardscape were sponsored by individuals
and families.
Perusing the names on some of the paver bricks
Photographs by Judy Kopitar
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