Bishop blesses new science and art center at Blessed Sacrament School

Courtesy photo/Jeff West

+ Enlarge

Msgr. Robert Servatious, pastor of Blessed Sacrament Parish, addresses the community after the Most. Rev. John C. Wester blessed the school's new addition Sept. 19. The project started three years ago but was completed this summer.

SANDY — Having a strong foundation is essential to the survival of a building just like having a solid foundation in Christ is vital for the endurance of our souls.

"Our foundation is Jesus Christ; he is our capstone," said the Most Rev. John C. Wester after blessing the new Center for Science and the Arts of Blessed Sacrament Catholic School Sept. 19.

He said parents, grandparents, and other family members are "the first teachers in the ways of faith" and that teachers and staff members at Blessed Sacrament School extend Christian values into the educational environment so children are "able to respond to God’s call with the faith, imagination, and creativity that come from a solid foundation."

Along with a sound foundation comes a sense of gratitude.

"In Zimbabwe there is an 86 percent unemployment rate, prosecution, and economic hardship. It is hard to imagine the misery," said the bishop about his findings during his recent visit to the African country.

We should be aware of "how blessed we are and give thanks to God because it is ultimately his grace and work" what make everything possible, he said.

He makes everything possible including the school’s new center.

"Thank you for making this dream a reality for our students," said Judy Julian, principal. She thanked Bishop Wester for having "time to squeeze things in like this for our school" in his schedule, and thanked Msgr. J. Terrence Fitzgerald, vicar general, for his contribution in obtaining the ALSAM Foundation donation. Julian also thanked the school’s staff; Msgr. Robert Servatious, pastor of Blessed Sacrament Parish; Deacon Lynn Johnson of the Cathedral of the Madeleine; and Sister Genevra, assistant superintendent for Catholic schools in Utah.

Additionally, Julian expressed her gratitude to Aline and Sam Skaggs from the ALSAM Foundation through Don and Theresa Skaggs, who were there to represent them; to Sonia West, director of advancement, "who does not like to be recognized but works so hard behind the scenes; to Michael DeCarlo, the architect "who has dedicated his time, talent, and treasures" to the project; and Christopher Nielsen of Evergreen Construction, "who has been so generous to Blessed Sacrament School."

"Thank you to all the parents, grandparents, and parish members. Thank you to each and every single one of you from the bottom of my heart for making this dream a reality," said Julian.

"The dream of building the Center for Science and the Arts started over three years ago with the Strategic Planning Committee," said Sonia West, director of advancement, during an interview with the Intermountain Catholic.

"Over those three years, we were able to save some money and then were blessed to have the ALSAM Foundation donate a generous amount. Without the ALSAM Foundation and the generosity of Aline and Sam Skaggs this addition would not have been possible. We were also blessed to have Michael DeCarlo step up as the architect. He was instrumental in finding Christopher Nielsen, owner of Evergreene Construction. It was truly a team effort."

West said the students have had a positive response to the new center and that some of them have said they now love to go to science.

"If they want to learn, then they will learn," she said.

The addition of the center has also been a motive of celebration and excitement among the school staff since they will no longer need to carry portable carts with their books and other teaching materials from room to room.

"This new wing allows us to give academic and creative opportunities to our students that were not possible before. Their learning experience at our school will be enhanced. They now have a space where they can have hands-on experiences in science and art. Our music, band, choir, and Spanish classes now have a room to call their own," said West.

"We have always provided our students with a good foundation spiritually, academically, physically, and emotionally. The Center for Science and the Arts reinforces and enhances the excellent foundation of programs and curriculum that is already in place," said Jeanne Lindmar, middle school science teacher.

The center has also been furnished with lab and art tables, stools, specialized melody chairs, smartboards, laptop computers in portable cabinets, cordless microscopes, and Orff music instruments, among other educational items funded by the E.L. Wiegand Foundation.