Last month, several members of the Marist and Central Catholic High School community, alumni and friends gathered to bless and dedicate the St. Marcellin Champagnat Peace Gardens – a new reflective outdoor sanctuary on campus.

Br. Own Ormsby, vice provincial of the Marist Brothers, was on hand to deliver the blessing. 

What was once the Hampshire Street entrance for Central Catholic has been transformed into a picturesque, unique and prayerful experience for students, faculty and staff consisting of three distinct areas:

  • The Imprescia & Burger Family Prayer & Meditation Labyrinth invites those looking to follow a path for reflective prayer and focus. Made possible by Olivia (Imprescia ’14) & Dan Burger.
  • The Madeline (Howshan) Rossi Stations of the Cross depicts Jesus Christ’s last day on Earth as a man and is commonly used as a mini pilgrimage as individuals move from station to station. Made possible by Laurence J. (’64) and Patricia C. Rossi in honor of Larry’s mother.
  • The Richard (’61) & Marilyn Santagati Amphitheater – a serene seating space for outdoor classes or opportunities for meditation. Made possible by Richard J. (’61) & Marilyn Santagati.

The Statue of Our Lady, which has stood watch over students and faculty in front of the original CCHS school building on Auburn Street and at various other places on campus throughout our 90-year history, has found her home as part of the Peace Gardens.

Members of the Central Catholic student club, Planet Green, were also instrumental in suggesting the native plants and bushes that would be used as part of the Peace Gardens. 

“As Central Catholic continues to grow and move into the future, we also embrace our roots and our mission. Proudly located right here ‘in the midst of Lawrence City,’ the Saint Marcellin Champagnat Peace Gardens will be a sacred space where members of the Central Catholic community can find beauty, a quiet place of reflection and a place to, as we say each day, ‘pray for each other,’ ” said CCHS Prncipal Christopher Sullivan (’81).

The St. Marcellin Champagnat Peace Gardens project was made possible by donations from generous supporters combined with funds raised by students through the 2023 Walkathon. The planning and construction was managed by Trident Project Advisors, owned by Gino Baroni ’74 (founder & managing principal), a past chair (and current member) of the CCHS Board of Directors and a member of the Building & Grounds Committee.

The following additional generous supporters who contributed to the development of this sacred space were also recognized: The Beaulieu and Thibault families, Enterprise Bank, Matthew (’02) and Katelyn Fitzgerald, William and Kathy Fitzgerald, The Imprescia and Burger families, Shaun Logan (’81) in memory of Michael Logan (’59); David (’89) and Kimberly Netishen; Timothy O’ Donahue (’81) in memory of Michael Logan (’59), Brian (’97) and Karen Perrault, Laurence (’64) and Patricia Rossi, Richard (’61) and Marilyn Santagati, Terence & Sabrina (Barry ’76SM) Sanz, Jeffrey & Karen Sheehy, Paul Theberge (’59) and Eugene Thornhill (’79).

“I believe the St. Marcellin Champagnat Peace Gardens provide a great space for learning. Nature and sunlight have been shown to help reduce stress, which can help create an environment where students are more engaged in what they are practicing,” said CCHS math teacher Cameron Hebert. “The change in environment can also inspire them to be more creative and take a fresh approach when solving problems,”