Classroom Dedications

By Joanne Alloway

Saints Anne, Michael and Therese are honored and lovingly remembered in three classrooms at Chesterton Academy of Annapolis. This is due to generous leadership gifts made by three donors in 2021.

Wednesday, March 16th, 2022, was the day the classroom dedications were made. The CAA supporters were each invited to name a classroom for the saint they most wanted to honor. These generous donors are mentioned below with the saint they chose to honor. They were present at the dedication, along with Chesterton Board Members and Staff.

Saint Anne was chosen by Tim O’Neil and Caryl Tallon, Saint Michael was the choice of Michael and Maureen Vernon, whose son, John Vernon, also participated in the dedication ceremony, and Saint Therese was chosen by Steve and MaryAnn Watkins.

The morning began with Mass at 8:00am celebrated at Chesterton Academy of Annapolis. Students, faculty and guests attended the Mass and prayed for the intentions of the donors, with Bishop Joseph Coffey, Auxiliary Bishop for the Archdiocese for the Military Services, and was concelebrated with Fr. Matthew Himes of the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Fr. Himes provides frequent spiritual and sacramental support to CAA.

After Mass, the memorial saint plaques for the classroom doors were unveiled individually. Each donor cut a ribbon to the doorway of the now dedicated classroom. As guests and donors entered each student-filled classroom, Fr. Himes invoked a blessing within each room. There is now a framed icon of each chosen saint in the three classrooms. The donors addressed the students and guests, sharing why they chose their saint above all others.

From Knight Newsletter | Sept 2022 Issue