On Wednesday, April 25, 2007 we held the dedication ceremony for our new Playscape made possible through the generous efforts of Jimmy Miller and the Friends of Jimmy Miller Committee. Please take a moment to read the beautiful words offered by Sister Patricia Rooney, a member of our Board of Trustees, as the blessing for our new addition........
April 25, 2007
Playscape Blessing St. Francis Home for Children
The word play is synonymous with the word child and, for that matter, the child residing within all of us.
The words of Jesus: “Let the little children come to me” engender an instant, deep seeded understanding of the imperative to nurture and protect each child.
St. Francis Home, since 1852, now spanning a third century of compassionate caring for these our precious, yet fragile little ones, stands as a sterling example of the necessity to combine Jesus’ mandate to love, with that of care and play.
A Playscape merely a contemporary form is symbolic of what this honorable institution teaches and demonstrates on a daily - 24 hour daily basis!
Play teaches. Children learn to share, to be active members of a team, to take turns, to earn respect from the other players, to give honor and courtesy to peers and to form friends, in trust. Play requires the player to depend on the other, in faith. Play is a sacred building block, a foundation for growth, thinking, physical prowess and increased self confidence. YAY- for play!
Today’s generous benefactors to whom we are especially grateful- understand all of this without question. Francis, our sainted patron remains our example and pre-eminent teacher whose life was the care of all within God’s Garden.
So, let us pray for all these children who will use this marvelous gift, that they will also absorb the richness of love that this Playscape invites, because the rest of Christ’s invitation to gather the children close around Him states “…to these belong the Kingdom of God. Jesus embraced and blessed the children.”
We do the same! AMEN.
Patricia J. Rooney, RSM