Blessing and Turnover Ceremony of Ysrael Science Hall
By Ms. Julianne Castro
The Ysrael Science Hall, rubble and wood last August 2015, now officially stood an eye-catching building last February 23, 2016. For the Blessing and Turnover Ceremony, the students gathered in the hallways around the playground where the honored guests took their seats. Rain, shine, or strong winds, all were ready.
Among the guests who graced the occasion were: Most Reverend Archbishop Anthony Sablan Apuron, OFM Cap., D.D., Metropolitan Archbishop of Agaña, Lt. Governor Rey Tenorio, Fr. Dan Bien, parochial administrator of Santa Barbara Parish, Sister Mary Cecilia Camacho, Guam Administrator of the Sisters of Mercy, Mr. Alfred Ysrael, chairman, Tanota Partners, Mr. Michael Ysrael, president and CEO of Tanota Partners, Architect Oscar Coloma, Engineer Lito Acabado, Engineer Ramil Tio, Engineer Roger Andulan, Engineer Jerry Estrella, and Mr. Jhune Vergara, as well as parents and alumni that volunteered their time and donations without seeking anything in return.
Sister Jeanette Marie Pangelinan gave her welcome remarks after the tolling of the bell and the singing of the opening song, “All Are Welcome,” led by the School’s Honor Choir, to formally begin the blessing ceremony. She dubbed the building the “newest landmark in the community,” and rightfully so, with the visible cross built into its tower making it seem a smaller companion to the nearby Santa Barbara Catholic Church. Sister Jeanette Marie applauded the generosity and magnanimity of Mr. Alfred and Mrs. Diana Ysrael and family. “Mr. Ysrael, we promise that your investment in the future of our young children will reach greater heights. We will continue to provide a quality Catholic education in the Sisters of Mercy tradition, while strengthening and keeping our curriculum rigorous so that we may develop the educational potential of our students, especially in Science and technology,” she said.
Mr. Michael Ysrael, son of Mr. Alfred Ysrael, began the Turnover Ceremony with words of thanks for bringing the building to its “full potential.” Archbishop Anthony extended his gratitude on behalf of the Archdiocese of Agaña, for this generous gift to the school, housing the science lab on the first floor and the computer lab on the second floor. He noted that it added a dimension to the facility of the school, made the school a holy place, and even gave the impression of having a chapel beneath its tower, as was tradition in history.
After the presentation of the plaques and gifts of appreciation by Sister Jeanette Marie to the donors and the Ysrael family, the ribbon-cutting ceremony was held amidst cheers and applause from everyone. With excited looks on their faces, all the guests, parents, and members of the media toured the new facility following the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The guests were served lunch and entertained by performances from Santa Barbara Catholic School’s own students: Ron Coloma of 8A who sang Josh Groban’s “Thankful,” David of 5A who performed music by Handel on the violin, Kyra Dela Cruz of 6B who sang “We Are,” by Kari Jobe, and the 4th graders who danced to a remix of Dessert by Dawin.
On the same day, the students were not only able to tour the building, but had their Science and Computer classes in the newly blessed Ysrael Science Hall. May the Lord continue to sustain the work of the many hands that made this possible.
Thank you to Alfred and Diana Ysrael and family for your generous gift to Santa Barbara Catholic School. We also want to thank our donors: Architect Oscar Coloma, Engineer Lito Acabado, Engineer Ramil Tio, Engineer Roger Andulan, Engineer Jerry Estrella, and Mr. Jhune Vergara. Last but not the least, thank you to all the donors of our Science lab equipment: Bank of Guam, Elaine Cruz Jones, International Distributors (In loving memory of Frank C. Guzman, Mrs. Tita Alegria, Ada’s Trust and Investement Inc., In loving Memory of Joaquin and Marcela Pangelinan, and the Class of 2016. Biba!