By Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News
On their patron’s Feast Day — the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, Dec. 8, 2024 — members of St. Mary Parish gathered to celebrate the blessing of a new statue of Mary on the grounds of their church in Fox Valley, SK.
“We started this project in the fall of 2023 when a generous parishioner donated the cost of the statue,” said Candice Koch, parish administrative associate. “Also two other generous parishioners paid for the finishing of the spot,” she said, thanking parishioners who donated towards the cost.
The project began last year under the guidance of then-pastor Fr. Francis Appiah-Kubi, and included the removal of the previous statue, and the purchase of a new statue.
“When we received her, she was unpainted, and we enlisted a former parishioner and former resident, Tara Ensz (Weinberger) to paint her. She did a beautiful job.”
The statue is still not quite finished, noted Koch. “She needs her crown of stars,” she explained. “Some parishioners are working out how best to do this.”
After celebration of the Eucharist and the blessing of the statue, a parish potluck lunch was held.
Project photos by Candice Koch:
The new statue of Our Lady, before it was painted by former Fox Valley resident Tara Ensz (Weinberger). (Photo by Candice Koch)
Preparing to remove the previous statue at St. Mary Parish, Fox Valley. (Photo by Candice Koch)
Ron Buye, Kelly Bakanec and Mark Hudec helped remove the old statue and place the new one. (Photo by Candice Koch)
Pastor Fr. Prince Sarpong blesses the statue Dec. 8. (Photo by Candice Koch)
Pastor Fr. Prince Sarpong blesses the statue Dec. 8. (Photo by Candice Koch)
(Photo by Candice Koch)
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Kiply Lukan Yaworski is the communications coordinator for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon – rcdos.ca.
Diocesan Communications and Catholic Saskatoon News are supported by gifts to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal: dscf.ca/baa.