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Parishioners and guests may notice some new grounds work occurring near the east wall of the church. The project, beginning this weekend, is for the installation of new parish statues that portray the Crucifixion of Jesus.
Statues arrive at St. Alphonsus in March.
What the final project will look when complete.
Parishioner, Nick Badger, is leading the project as part of an Eagle Scout Award requirement for his involvement as a Boy Scout member of Troop 358. Helping him with the installation is a group of volunteers. Generous gifts from parishioners, family and ministry groups have helped make the project possible for Nick and the parish to enjoy.
The crucifixion scene will include a statue of Jesus on the cross, the Virgin Mary, Mary Magdalene, and St. John. Surrounding the statues will be landscaping that will include flowering trees and bushes to make the area more enclosed. A brick pathway and benches will help direct people to view the statues as well as offer a seat to reflect or pray.
The statues are from a former parish that was located in the Diocese of Cleveland. They were purchased and brought back from Ohio in March and have been stored at the parish as other project plans were finalized and approved by parish leadership.
The Eagle Scout Award is the highest honor that a Boy Scout member can achieve. In addition to other badges and leadership requirements, the award also calls for the completion of a project that benefits a local organization such as a church or school. Nick started planning this project back in November of 2011 when he worked with Father O'Keeffe to identify potential opportunities for the parish. Nick has been a member of the Boy Scouts of America since the age of eight.
When asked about why he chose to do the project for his parish, Nick responded, "I wanted to contribute and give something back that would out live me."
Nick who is also a member of the parish's Knights of the Holy Temple, is one of several scout members who have completed projects for the parish campus. Most recently was parishioner Julie Scherer who added landscaping plants and benches to the parish's outdoor Stations of the Cross as part of her Girl Scout Gold Award project. Other parish projects accomplished by scouts have also included the installation of the flagpoles by the south driveway and the brick patio surrounding the brazier in front of the church doors.
Following the installation of the crucifixion scene will be a special dedication. Check back to ZionsvilleCatholic.com to learn more about the completed project, the dates for the dedication and a little history about this new addition to the parish grounds.
Parishioners can also look forward to another statue installation that is being planned near the east wall of Parish Hall as part of the Eagle Scout project by parishioner Daniel Damm.