Feature article on the dedication of Alumni Hall See, I am doing something new! Now it springs forth; do you not perceive it?
--Isaiah 43:19. September 18, 2007 will be remembered in the annals of Saint Raphael Academy as one of the turning points in its long and distinguished history. With the entire student body, religious and civic leaders and many distinguished alumni/ae present, Bishop Thomas Tobin dedicated and officially opened our new athletic and wellness center, now known as Alumni Hall. The day's events began with a celebration in St. Joseph's Church of the Mass of the Holy Spirit, the traditional liturgy for the opening of the academic year. Concelebrants were Fr. Mark Sauriol, Academy Chaplain, Fr. Robert Perron, pastor of St. Joseph's parish and Fr. Ronald Brassard '64, member of the Academy School Board. Following Mass, the SAINTS student body and faculty paraded from the church into Alumni Hall with flags and class banners flying, to the accompaniment of the SAINTS Drumline. For the vast majority of students, this was their first view of the impressive, expansive interior of the new gymnasium. At that moment, their excitement and eagerness to start using it for team practice and gym class were palpable. The presence of photographers and a TV camera only added to their sense of how significant this event was. Speaking on behalf of the student body, Ryan Bradley '08, whose grandfather, father, aunts and uncles are alumni, said, As I searched for words to describe what this building means to us, I found only one word can truly describe how we look at this building. . . "Home". Ryan spoke of the experience of attending classes amidst all the construction activity and of how this new building and the planned Fine Arts Center has encouraged students to participate in extracurricular activities at SAINTS. Special guests at this dedication ceremony were four Brothers who had served as Principals of SAINTS: Br. Jerome Corrigan, Br. Peter Bonventre, Br. William Kemmerer and Br. Thomas Casey. Each was introduced to the assembly by Academy President Br. Daniel Aubin, greeted with warm applause and with alumni rising to their feet in appreciation for their contributions to our history. Referring to the site where once stood St. Joseph's Convent and the Father Barry CYO Center, Dr. Paul Healey '49, co-chair of the capital campaign, said, Today is a day of memories, nostalgia and historical review. This magnificent, state-of-the-art Alumni Hall and Athletic Center occupies sacred ground. It was built, both literally and figuratively, on the shoulders of saints. He reflected on the role played by the Sisters of Mercy, St. Joseph's School, the Barry Center and the parish church as anchors of the neighborhood in which he was raised and imagined how the great SAINTS coaches of past generations would be overjoyed at this dedication ceremony. Br. Daniel spoke of three distinct "volumes" that comprise the history of the Academy, with a fourth volume beginning with this dedication of Alumni Hall and the preparations for our new Fine Arts Center. He thanked all of those who have made this dream a reality: Bishop Tobin, Diocesan school officials, the team from Vision3 Architects and the Turgeon Construction Co., the Saint Raphael Academy School Board and the faculty, staff and students of SAINTS. Br. Daniel also singled out several alumni for their outstanding contributions: Mr. Joseph MarcAurele '69, Dr. Paul Healey '49 and Mr. Terrence Tracey '72 who have served as co-chairs of the capital campaign and Mr. Mark Fisher '78 who volunteered his architectural expertise to the success of this project. After blessing the assembly and the various rooms on the first floor of Alumni Hall, Bishop Tobin spoke of the importance of SAINTS to the Diocese of Providence and of how impressed he was with the new building. The celebration concluded with a catered reception in the lobby area of Alumni Hall and tours guided by students. The above picture shows Past Principals: Brothers Jerome Corrigan, Peter Bonventre, William Kemmerer, Thomas Casey, and Present Principal Brother Daniel Aubin. The second picture shows Bishop Tobin blessing the new building. (Photo copyright Butch Adams, The Times)
|