From the Children's Village Director,
Sr. Mary Pat Driscoll, CCVI

Friday, January 21st 2005, all the employees, students and their parents, children living at COAR, many townspeople from Zaragoza, and several special guests accompanied us in the inauguration of the school year, the 25 years of the foundation of COAR Community of Oscar Arnulfo Romero, and the naming of the street leading to COAR: Calle Padre Kenneth Carlo Myers Brown (founder of COAR).

Several of the special guests are known to COAR supporters: Mayor Danny Rodriguez of Zaragoza, Licenciado Jorge Renderos assistant principal of COAR school, and Dr. Pedro Montalvo, all of whom accompanied the Team to the International Children's Games last summer. Other special guests included Gaspar Romero, brother of Monseñor Oscar Arnulfo Romero.

The ceremony began at the Monument of Monseñor Romero. Licenciado Ricardo Almandarez was the master of ceremonies reminding us of the many reasons to celebrate this year 2005. We were reminded of the martyrdom of Monseñor Romero and of the Four Churchwomen. Srs. Silvia Moran Ramos and Martha Irene Aguero Velasquez, both Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, placed a bouquet of flowers at the monument of Monseñor Romero who gave his life for the people of El Salvador. Fr. Manuel Cardona shared some reflections on the life of Fr. Ken Myers who generously gave of himself to the people of El Salvador and who was a great visionary, founding COAR during very difficult times in the history of this country.

The Mayor Danny Rodriguez officially named the street “Calle Padre Kenneth Carl Myers Brown” and shared that he knew Fr. Ken when he was a young boy. On behalf of the people of Zaragoza he gave thanks for the life of Fr. Ken and then Gaspar Romero cut the ribbon. The COAR school Band directed by Professor Luis Beltran led the procession through the streets of Zaragoza. When they arrived at the parish, Doña Blanca Peralta placed a bouquet of flowers in remembrance of Fr. Ken, who began COAR at the parish "Nuestra Señora del Pilar". We continued our journey toward COAR and had the Eucharistic celebration in the basketball court at the school celebrated by Fr. Adonay Chicas and Fr. Manuel Cardona. Gaspar Romero shared some moving reflections following communion. This is the beginning of our celebration and remembrance of COAR, Monseñor Romero, Fr. Ken, Sister Stanislaus Mackey, CCVI, Sister Audrey Walsh, CCVI, the Four Churchwomen, Jean, Dorothy, Maura, and Ita, and the many who have been touched by the lives of these people. We invite you to join us in celebrating and giving thanks to our God for so many blessings. Please share the good news with your friends.

Blessings,
Sr. Mary Patricia

The inaugural mass said in COAR’s open-air basketball court shows off COAR’s new coat of paint, and COAR’s colors: blue, white, and yellow. >>






The colors are also found in the flag of COAR, shown below at the International Children’s Games. The blue represents the flag of El Salvador (also shown below, attended by COAR students at the Independence Day celebration) and the yellow the flag of the Vatican. The white in the middle signifies the PEACE desired for all Salvadoran people and all those work, study and live at COAR. >>

^ Crowds of townspeople, students, staff, and alumni watch the inaugural procession down the new road, Calle Padre Kenneth Carl Myers Brown, lead by two large banners commemorating Monseñor Romero and Father Ken.



^ The special guests lead the procession, l to r: Mayor Danny Rodriguez, Mayor's Assistant Guillermo Vanegas, Gaspar Romero, brother of Monseñor Romero, Lic. Maria Portillo, Director of the school, Sr. Mary Pat Driscoll, Lic. Jorge Renderos, Subdirector of the school.