Bishop blesses site for science lab and fine arts wing
SANDY — Blessed Sacrament Elementary and Middle School is realizing a dream with the ground breaking for the addition of a science lab and fine arts wing. The Most Rev. Bishop John C. Wester of the Diocese of Salt Lake City blessed the site where the science lab and fine arts wing will be built at a ground breaking ceremony Sept. 21. The wing will be located at the north end of the school. The pursuit of this vision began three years ago when the Strategic Planning Committee met. "I want to thank Msgr. Robert Servatius, pastor of Blessed Sacrament Parish, Vicar General Msgr. J. Terrence Fitzgerald, all the staff at the pastoral center, and all the staff here at Blessed Sacrament School who have worked so hard to make this such a beautiful church, hall, and school," said Bishop Wester. "It is such a beautiful area where you can all come together. "I know it is not easy, especially these days, and yet your unfailing commitment for our youth never waivers," said Bishop Wester. "Your love for your children and your desire to give them a good education never changes." Bishop Wester said education is a beautiful ministry, and those who participate in this ministry are co-workers with the Lord in the shaping of the human soul. Teachers teach children and help them as they grow so they can be fully alive, fully human. Parents are the first teachers of their children, and teachers simply assist you. "It is a great privilege and a great responsibility educating your children and providing for their safety and their well being, and making sure they are in an atmosphere where they can learn and where they can be happy," said Bishop Wester. So thank you for all that you do." Msgr. Servatius said last week at the Diocesan Building Commission meeting when they received final approval of the building plan, he mentioned he remembered praying before he was ordained that God not ask him to build. He also fondly remembered Archbishop George Niederauer of San Francisco saying when he was bishop of the Diocese of Salt Lake City, "If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans." "The plans developed from 1986 on for the building of Blessed Sacrament School in five phases," said Msgr. Servatius. "Now we are beginning phase six, which is due to the generosity of parents in the school and other parishioners who made donations so we could pay off the school debt in 1999. "We then looked forward to building our new church, which we completed in 2005," said Msgr. Servatius. "Now we are building a science lab and fine arts center. "I must say it has been a joy to be a part of so many other people and a part of where we have come today with these parish plans," said Msgr. Servatius. "I am so proud of everyone who made this possible. "We have a very strong advocate who has given us a grant and made this possible," said Msgr. Servatius. "The Science and Fine Arts addition is a monumental accomplishment that was made possible by the generosity of the ALSAM Foundation," said Msgr. Servatius. "We are grateful to Aline and Sam Skaggs for sharing our vision and making this dream a reality for our students. I would like Msgr. Fitzgerald to speak on their behalf. "I am very glad to be here to support Msgr. Servatius and all of you," said Msgr. Fitzgerald. "ALSAM stands for Aline and Sam Skaggs. They had American Stores and all kinds of stores around the pacific west (region). When Sam Skaggs sold his shares of American Stores, he put that money into several large foundations. They have continued to contribute to their ongoing commitment to education and schools in the diocese over the years. On behalf of them, we are pleased this has happened and we will move forward." "We are so very grateful for the ALSAM Foundation for giving us this grant," said Judy Julian, principal of Blessed Sacrament School. "We could not have done this without them. Our teachers and students are very happy about this new addition. "Once we decided to proceed with this project three years ago, the art teacher told her students," said Julian. "There was a little girl who approached her, pulled her money from her pocket, and said, ‘This is for the new addition.’ It was a dime. That is how we began. "I would like to say thank you to the bishop. I know he is very busy, and Sunday afternoon is probably the one day he gets to rest. We really appreciate you coming," said Julian. "We are also so grateful that Msgr. Fitzgerald came today. He was very helpful and supportive in getting our grant, so we give him our heartfelt thanks. We also want to thank Msgr. Servatius because he is one of our greatest supporters. We love you Msgr. Servatius, and thank you so much." Julian introduced Michael DeCarlo, the architect of the new project. DeCarlo had two children who went to Blessed Sacrament School, who are now in college.
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