Published: December 16, 2008 08:52 am      

Early Christmas Present

Representation of risen Christ first displayed on exterior of Sacred Heart Hospital in 1980

CUMBERLAND — Once gracing the exterior of Sacred Heart Hospital, the Risen Jesus statue has found a new home nearby at Bishop Walsh School.

Sister Phyllis McNally, president of Bishop Walsh, approached Barry Ronan, president and CEO of the Western Maryland Health System, and Kathy Rogers, director of community relations, about the statue when hospital officials announced they were looking for a new location for it almost two years ago.

“I thought it was an opportunity to keep the memory of the Catholic aspect of the hospital in the community,” McNally said. “Anyone who sees it will know it came off the old Sacred Heart. It also let us take advantage of such a beautiful statue.”

Constructed in Italy, the 12-foot sculpture was erected in 1980 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Sacred Heart Hospital.

“Donations were given by the community for the cost for purchasing and erecting the original sculpture,” Rogers said. “Because of this we felt it important to keep it near its original home as possible.”

The statue was in storage for nearly 18 months. Last Friday, the school was notified by Kenney Signs that the firm would be able to move and erect the sculpture Monday.

It took three men and approximately one hour, time donated to the school, to erect the sculpture. And now it hangs on the east side of the gymnasium, facing the football field.

“Now when people drive up to the school they will see the statue of the Risen Christ,” said Principal Sam Torres. “And hopefully this will help inspire many thoughts and prayers for those in need and our school.”

Torres also overheard students talking about the new sculpture.

“They’re very excited,” he said. “I overheard them talking about how, like Notre Dame, they now have their own ‘Touchdown Jesus,’” referring to the statue’s outstretched arms.

Senior Jonathan Cullen, one of the student photographers watching the sculpture go up, has been a fan of Notre Dame since he was little and said this helps create a more personal meaning for him. But, as a school, he agrees with fellow senior Eric Diamond who said the cross “says a lot for who we are as a school.”

“It shows our morals, who we are, how we’re raised and what we believe in,” he said.

Torres agreed and said this is just another symbol of the school’s Catholic identity.

“The statue gives us another physical sign of our fulfilling the mission of the Church,” Torres said. “It’s a Christmas present come early.”

Tess Hill can be reached at thill@times-news.com.