Archbishop Nelson Perez on Saturday blessed a new rosary garden at St. Albert the Great Church.
Much of the work was performed by Robbie Lewcun, of Boy Scout Troop 97. Lewcun is a 2018 graduate of St. Albert and a senior at Father Judge. The rosary garden was his Eagle Scout project.
Perez blessed the crucifix, a statue of Our Lady of Lourdes and the images that depict the 20 Mysteries of the Rosary, designed by St. Albert art teacher Stacy Castor.
The garden also includes stepping stones, flowers, lighting, benches, a fountain, candles, two new trees from Feeney’s, a welcome sign and a thank you plaque.
The ceremony featured remarks by Monsignor Joseph Duncan, pastor at St. Albert who was in the seminary at the same time as Perez. Duncan joked that he and Lewcun discussed putting in a swimming pool or an outdoor bar on St. Albert’s expansive grounds before settling on the rosary garden as his Eagle Scout project.
Eighth-grade student council members Jameson Bonner and Madelyn Werbo presented Perez with a St. Albert sweatshirt.
There were prayers and hymns, such as Hail, Holy Queen.
In his homily, Perez said praying the rosary is at the heart of spirituality, just as the celebration of the Eucharist is. He prays the rosary every night before bed, allowing him to sleep peacefully.
“The rosary is a great source of comfort,” he said.
The space where the rosary garden is used to be muddy, swamp like and unusable, with parking lot rainfall runoff landing there.
“We have come a long way,” Lewcun said.
Lewcun describes the garden as a “beautiful place of prayer.”
Lewcun thanked his family, Troop 97 leaders, fellow Scouts, friends, volunteers and all who contributed to the fundraising, donated tools and supplies and maintained the garden after its completion. The effort also included grass seeds and electrical and water work. ••
