Brick by Brick, Ascension Walkway to Tell a Story

Alumni, teachers, students and friends gathered for the unveiling of Ascension School's memorial brick walkway on Sunday.

"The brick program is an opportunity for everyone in the Ascension family to have their own little piece of real estate," said Lynn Fredrick, director of institutional advancement. "But it's also part of landscaping and beautifying our school for the Centennial in 2012."

Sixty-seven engraved bricks were installed during the summer along Clarence Street on the west side of the Catholic school. Messages on the bricks tell the story of Ascension's extended family, both past and present.

"We have many bricks here to represent our recent history. Some bricks to represent our almost ancient history and bricks that are a promise of our future," Fredrick said.

Beautiful weather blessed the event as young and old enjoyed refreshments and renewed acquaintances.

As families gathered to look at their bricks, the names of classmates remembered could be heard and the sounds of laughter filled the air as stories were shared.

Representatives from old and new Ascension families  included the names Donofrio, Eder, Fitzgerald, Flannery, Mosher, Pierce, Roche, Trainor and Walsh, to name just a few.

Ascension Principal Mary Jo Burns welcomed the crowd and formally opened the walkway, and Father Larry McNally led everyone in prayer while blessing the bricks.

Fredrick gave a brief history of the school building projects, including renovations for the upcoming 2012 centennial.

Alumni and family of current students paid $125 or $250 for each brick with funds going to school development.

All unmarked bricks will be replaced with engraved bricks as the program continues, school officials said.