SMA Now: Happening Now
(This reports activities happening between the issues emailed the first of each month.)

September 7:
 

St. Mary’s Academy Lower School
Will Dedicate Peace Pole on September 11

On September 11, 2007, doves, the symbol of peace, will be released as Lower School participates in a ceremony to dedicate the new Peace Pole. Father Marty Lally, pastor of Queen of Peace Parish and a trustee of St. Mary’s Academy, will preside.

The dedication ceremony will take place at 11:00 a.m., following a Mass that begins at 10:20. The ceremony will include songs, prayers, readings, and the presentation of a peace quilt.

For the six years Mary Jane Frederick has been at St. Mary’s Academy, she has focused the year on themes leading up to being peacekeepers, which is this year’s theme.  On that journey to become peacekeepers, Students have learned to alleviate hurtful words, spread joy, and apply the Loretto School Values. Last year’s them of being peacemakers led easily to this year’s theme of being peacekeepers.

The Peace Pole at St. Mary’s Academy is one of over 200,000 in 180 countries across the world.  All Peace Poles share the common hope that peace prevails on Earth. Each side of the pole contains this message written in several languages. The St. Mary’s Academy Peace Pole expresses the message in English, American Sign Language, Arabic, Arapaho (Native American), Chinese, Urdu, and animal paw prints.   Third grade students assistned Mrs. Frederick in choosing the languages.

The phrase “We work for justice and act for peace” is engraved at the base of the Peace Pole.   That phrase is taken from writings of the Loretto Community, which sponsors the school and founded the school in 1864.

A Peace Pole has stood on the Academy grounds (in the center of campus, visible from University Boulevard) since the 1990-1991school year as a symbol of the school’s commitment to peace within individuals and within the global community.

SMA’s first Peace Pole, which had suffered weather damage over the years, is now located in the grassy patio area behind the gym where students can see it every day and remember the lessons it teaches.