Stations the Cross for Saints Academy

Hugh Gaffney’s Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project Builds Way of the Cross for Saints Academy
Stations Formerly Housed in St. Alphonsus, Beverly Repurposed for Outdoor Prayer and Meditation
Beverly Farms Life Scout Hugh Gaffney, Jr., son of Karen and Hugh Gaffney, Sr. chose an ambitious Eagle Scout project that will benefit his school, the new Saints Academy, his hometown faith community of the Beverly Catholic Collaborative and his neighbors who were formerly parishioners of Saint Alphonsus, Elliot St. Beverly, a Catholic church closed more than 12 years ago.

Life Scout Gaffney initially conceived of the project after former Beverly Catholic Collaborative pastor Mark Mahoney mentioned that the new Saints Academy lacked a Way of the Cross for students’ prayer and contemplation and thought an outdoor Stations of the Cross with the images visible and protected from the elements of the weather would be ideal for the school. Father Mahoney told Hugh that a set of Stations were available that had special significance for Beverly residents. For more than 35 years they adorned the walls of the former St. Alphonsus Church. Inquiries within the Beverly Collaborative indicated the beautiful bas relief Stations could be used for Hugh’s Eagle service project with Father Mahoney’s blessing.

To get the project from the idea stage to construction required planning, fundraising, and the assistance of several partners including Monsignor Deegan Council 75, Knights of Columbus Beverly and Masconomo Council 1232 Knights of Columbus Manchester-by the Sea. Gaffney knew that to adequately display the fourteen Stations, he needed fourteen wooden stanchions taller than seven feet with covered platforms to house the Stations, preservative stain to protect the Stations from the elements, funds to secure those materials and help to build the project. Necessary building materials and guidance for the project were secured from Moynihan Lumber, Beverly, Benevento Sand and Gravel, Beverly, and Waters and Brown Paint and Decorating, Beverly.

During the spring 2017 Life Scout Gaffney spoke to a number of community groups to inform them of the project and raise funds for its construction. Among those groups was Knights of Columbus Masconomo Council 1232 whose Past Grand Knight Tom Finn agreed to support the project financially and with the labor of the Council’s Brother Knights led by Doug Greenfield. Beverly Collaborative parishioners Jim Noonan, Donald Wood and Liam Wood also lent much needed assistance.

Tom Finn said, “This project was a natural for the Knights. It exemplifies the motto over the entrance to the former St Margaret’s School, Beverly Farms-“For God and Country”. Hugh’s project dusts off and resurrects to worship use, the Stations of the Cross familiar to St. Alphonsus parishioners. How could our Council not help Hugh?”

Current pastor of the Beverly Catholic Collaborative and superintendent of Saints Academy Father Karlo Horcurscak said, “Hugh Gaffney’s Eagle Scout project is a beautiful and fitting enhancement to the new Saints Academy campus adjacent to the Mary grotto. For all of his efforts to restore the Stations of the Cross to use, we are most grateful to Hugh, his fellow scouts and their families, as well as Hugh’s entire family.”