It all began at a meeting of the Church Committee of the
Padre Pio Knights of Columbus Council 10754 in the fall of
1993. Memorials to the unborn had been undertaken as
projects of councils throughout the United States. Don
Kolasch was instrumental from the beginning of this
project. He hoped to take the concept beyond the simple
gravestone usually used. After extensive research a photo
of a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary weeping, (Our Lady
of LaSalette) was selected. The Missionaries of LaSalette
located in Hartford, Connecticut had a replica of the original
statue which is located in the French Alps. Using the
replica statue as the model, Giannetti’s Studio in Maryland
formed the statue. The little angel seen kneeling next to the
gravesite is also the work of the Giannetti Studio. The
tombstone with the inscription from the Book of Jeremiah,
(“Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you…” Jer 1:5)
was produced by T.A. Sullivan & Sons, of Arlington.
This magnificent statue is located on the wooded grounds,
between the rectory and the road, under a wrought iron
arbor. The winding gravel pathway that leads to the
memorial also leads to the Stations of the Cross. The
Stations were constructed as an Eagle Scout project, under
the direction of Antonio Vives, and restored by Chuck
Porter. This meditation garden, where the memorial is
located is serene and beautiful, a place to reflect and pray.
Particular acknowledgement and special thanks to the
following for their commitment to this beautiful memorial.
Fr. Jerome Fasano, Fr. Thomas Vander Woude, The
Knights of Columbus and their families, Giannetti’s Studio,
T.A. Sullivan, Wm. Foley Construction, and the many
volunteer parishioners.
Next week’s bulletin will feature the story of Our Lady of
LaSalette.