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Eagle Scout’s flag project enhances Foxfield church
By Julie Filby
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Photo provided |
The landscape at Our Lady of Loreto Parish in Foxfield is becoming more vibrant and engaging, thanks to the leadership of a teenage parishioner.
Tony Genella, 15, has been involved in scouting for 10 years through Troop 317 at the parish. In working toward the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest rank attainable in Boy Scouts of America, he looked to pastor Msgr. Edward Buelt for suggestions for a service project.
“Tony came to me and asked for ideas for an Eagle Scout project,” said Msgr. Buelt. “We reviewed several possibilities.”
One of those possibilities was to line the sidewalk and entryway to the church with flagpoles bearing banners in colors to coordinate with the liturgical seasons.
“The flagpole project was the biggest and most extensive of the projects (we considered),” said Msgr. Buelt. “But (Tony) jumped at the chance to accomplish it.”
The objective was to obtain sponsors to fund the purchase and installation of six to eight flagpoles—with 8-foot by 3-foot, solid-colored banners.
“Father Ed recommended that I make an appeal to the congregation for sponsorships,” said Genella, a sophomore at Regis Jesuit High School. “The last weekend in July, I spoke at every Mass. I’ve never been that scared in my life. … The first few Masses my knees were shaking behind the podium.”
Genella exceeded the initial goal by obtaining sponsorships for 30 flagpoles and banners.
“My appeal was very successful,” he said. “We never would have imagined that we would receive sponsorships for 30 flags.”
Colors selected for the banners were purple for Advent and Lent, red for Pentecost, and gold for Christmas and Easter. They hope to add green in the future.
“They (the banners) are meant to engage people in the liturgy of the Eucharist from the moment they drive onto or set foot on the parish property,” Msgr. Buelt said. “And serve as a tool of evangelization.”
They will provide parishioners and guests with a visual and experiential sense of what they will take part in, in the church and at Mass.
“It’s the same type of experience, for example, that people have when driving down Speer Boulevard on their way to downtown (Denver),” Msgr. Buelt said. “The boulevard being lined with flags and banners that advertise an event or welcome a convention into this city.”
Sponsorships included a dedication engraved on a plaque to be mounted on the sponsor’s flagpole. Full sponsorships were $500; with half and quarter sponsorships available, as well as individual contributions. More than $16,000 was raised overall.
On Sept. 17 and Oct. 1, some 50 parishioners, members of the Knights of Columbus, students from Regis Jesuit High School, and fellow Boy Scouts participated in workdays to dig holes, pour foundations and install flagpoles.
“The project allowed parishioners to make dedications, offer prayers and help support the efforts of a fellow parishioner to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout,” said Genella. “(The flags) will bring beauty, color and a dimension of sound to our church. We think it will be an invitation to potential parishioners to come find out more.”
Genella expects to complete all requirements for the Eagle Scout rank by January 2012.
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