School dedicates pavilion for prayer, study, play

Intermountain Catholic

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Msgr. M. Francis Mannion, pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Parish and administrator of the parish school, sprinkles the plaza with holy water during the dedication and blessing of the structure, which will be used by parishioners and students alike.

SALT LAKE CITY — St. Vincent de Paul Elementary School students were out in force on their school’s patron’s feast day Sept. 27 to witness the dedication and blessing of a new pavilion on the parish campus. Immediately after the school Mass, students from kindergarten through grade seven took their places around the pavilion tables while eighth-graders stood to the side.

Teachers, parishioners, and special guest Louise Best, the original St. Vincent de Paul School’s first teacher, stood around the pavilion’s planter and fountain as Msgr. M. Francis Mannion, pastor of the parish and administrator of the school, said prayers of dedication and sprinkled the structure with holy water.

The pavilion has a seat for every student and will also be used by parishioners for meetings, social events, Msgr. Mannion said. "A little more than a year ago, this area was little more than a patch of grass and mud. Now it’s a beautiful place where people can get together."

Msgr. Mannion introduced Debbie Adams, architect for the project, and Alumni David Salazar, who served as the project coordinator. Also on hand to celebrate with the students were Rick Hogan, engineer for the building, Mike Malouf, contractor, and Jess DeOllos, site coordinator. He also thanked the school’s advancement director, Carol Barman, whose idea the pavilion was. The students’ parents were also thanked for their four years of support of the project.

Principal Mark Longe told the Intermountain Catholic future plans for the pavilion include murals, lighting, a statue of their patron, and artwork to be created under the school’s artist-in-residence’s direction.