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A chilly November 17 afternoon saw nearly one hundred people – sisters, associates, University of San Francisco staff, the Nano Nagle sculptor, representatives from construction companies – gather in the newly completed Nano Nagle Garden for its official dedication and opening.
In her opening remarks, Sister Rosina Conrotto, president of the Sisters of the Presentation, noted the significance of the dedication and expressed gratitude to all who had made the garden possible. She noted this event marked the conclusion of the yearlong celebration of the Sisters of the Presentation presence serving the people of God in California.
State Senator Scott Wiener presented Sister Rosina Conrotto with a Resolution from the California State Senate. The Resolution noted past contributions of the Sisters of the Presentation to the people of California as well as honoring those that continue.
Special guest State Senator Scott Wiener presented the Sisters of the Presentation with a State Senate Resolution noting the mission and history of the Sisters in California. In his remarks, he noted that the acts of compassion and inclusion that marked the Sisters’ past are needed more than ever today.
Other speakers included Joe Aspell, the sculptor of the Nano Nagle statue that will be included at a future date within the garden, Garden Committee members, and representatives of the construction teams that designed and created the garden. They stressed how their designs express the actions of Nano Nagle and the charism of her Sisters.
Reverend Paul Fitzgerald, SJ, president of the University of San Francisco, gave a spiritual reflection noting the area will become a place of prayer and then blessed the garden as a holy place for today and into the future.
Students and faculty from Presentation High School, San Jose, provided musical accompaniment to the ceremony. A musical highlight was Hearts of Oak, a song composed by Sister Paula Baker, with added lyrics to mark this special day.
Guests enjoyed a reception in the motherhouse following the formal dedication ceremony.