Blessings give construction a good start
We Catholics like to bless things—rosaries, crucifixes, medallions, palm branches, our family and friends, our homes and even ourselves. A blessing is the dedication of a person or thing to God's service. Having someone or something blessed serves to draw our thoughts toward God and draw us closer to Him. Because of that, the blessed person or object has greater meaning and value as gifts from God.
With that in mind, the sites of our six new schools have been dedicated to God's service through blessings at each construction site. Prayers were offered for those who will be working on the sites and for the future occupants—the students, teachers and staff.
Fr. Kevin McGee, pastoral associate for Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools, led prayers and blessed the sites. He reminded those in attendance that Jesus Christ as the foundation of our faith, so it is fitting we seek his blessing upon the construction sites of our schools before their foundations are laid.
At the four Saskatoon sites—St. Nicholas Catholic School in Evergreen, St. Thérèse of Lisieux Catholic School in Rosewood, St. Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic School in Stonebridge and St. Lorenzo Ruiz Catholic School in Hampton Village—students from the neighbourhoods who are currently bussed to other schools did a short Bible reading and offered intentions.
First Nations and Métis Cultural Consultant Delvin Kanewiyakiho sang an honour song, and Elder Celia Clennell said a prayer in Plains Cree before making a tobacco offering thanking the Creator for the gift of the land on which to build the schools.
Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools board chair Diane Boyko and fellow trustees Alice Risling, Wayne Stus, and Tim Jelinski were also on hand for the blessings.
