Submitted by Ramona Stillar
Friday, Nov. 30, Holy Family School received a very special gift; Denis Carignan, who served as the State Deputy for the Saskatchewan Knights of Columbus 2014-2016, donated an Icon of the Holy Family. The Knights of Columbus was founded on the principles or fraternity, charity, and unity. These are still true today.
As the first Sunday of Advent was about to be celebrated, it was fitting that a statue of the Holy Family, Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, would find a home in Holy Family School.
The icon has a storied history. The icon, blessed by Pope Francis on June 29, 2015, has since travelled throughout Saskatchewan. Pope John Paul II said, “The future of the world and the Church passes through the family.” In his presentation, Carignan reminded students that families are all unique but the one thing we can agree on is that family is precious and important. People from all over Saskatchewan have prayed, in the presence of this icon, to the Holy Family for the needs of their own families.
The icon is a reproduction of an etching by Giovanni Balestra. The original etching, based on a painting by Giovanni Battista Salvi da Sasoferrato, is housed in the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and the Family in Rome.
Principal Michelle Sarenco says the Holy Family School motto is inspiring faith and inspiring learning. The Icon of the Holy Family helps to do this. The inspiring story of Mary saying “yes” and Joseph standing by her in order to bring Jesus to the world in human form reminds staff and students to believe, to hope, and to have faith not only during the Advent season but always.
The Icon of the Holy Family will be placed at the entrance of Holy Family School.
