Lantern Garden Prayer Space

St. Joseph’s School, Upland, California

On Monday, November 21, the Catholic church celebrated the feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Temple, the event beautifully depicted on the mural in the hallway between our 4th and 5th grade classrooms. Every year, the Presentation sisters living in the parish convent would renew their vocation vows during an all-school Mass closest to the feast day. It is tradition that our 7th grade students prepare a play depicting the story of Nano’s life to share with the school and parish community. The link to this year’s 7th grade Nano Nagle play is https://youtu.be/JJUeAimlmPg.

The school held a special prayer service to present the new statue of Nano Nagle in the Lantern Garden to our students, a new dedicated space for prayer that will include the prayer recited every morning etched on a plaque. Years ago, members of our school community fell ill and the school responded with daily prayers. The Nano Nagle prayer was written by two beautiful Presentation people and names were added asking Nano to intercede on the behalf of all the individuals from our Presentation community in need of God’s help. Individuals who have been recipients of our prayers over the years, and for whom we pray for today, were invited to attend the prayer service. Also present were Sister Sheila Reen (via Zoom), Sister Angela Callanan, Sister Kathleen Pritchard, and members of the Friends of Nano Upland group. You are invited to watch the prayer service at this link  https://youtu.be/7hswLfJE2SI.

The installation of the Lantern Garden adjacent to the amphitheater, made possible by friends of the Presentation Sisters, provides an additional outdoor prayer area for students, staff and families. A bench left to us by the Presentation Sisters, dedicated in memory of Sister Maur O’Sullivan, will be the perfect seat for anyone to sit and enjoy this beautiful space.

Our St. Joseph School choir are Friends of Nano too, serving the residents of Upland Rehabilitation Center with their time and talent. This month students will sing Christmas songs for residents to enjoy. These members of our community often feel lonely or forgotten. Nano took her lantern and visited the sick of her community.

Students are shining Nano’s light of compassion and love today.

-Sandra Almo-Ng, Principal