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statue at st. elizabeth's hospital unveiled, blessed

Story and photo by LIZ QUIRIN
Messenger editor

“We all need hope,” Kevin Shrake, president and CEO of St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Belleville said Dec. 1 at the unveiling and blessing of a sculpture entitled “Angel of Hope.”

Bishop Edward K. Braxton blessed the sculpture with artist Vasilliki Antonakis among the group who attended the blessing.

“Angel means one who makes God’s message present to us,” the bishop said. “In blessing this image, we hope this will be a special presence for all who enter this hospital, a message of comfort for those in great pain and suffering.”

The artist described the sculpture as holding the earth in one hand as she holds the other hand open to be of help to any and all who see her.
“She was inspired by antiquity,” Antonakis said, adding that the sculpture is unique and “made for St. Elizabeth’s to bring hope to all.”

In viewing the sculpture, the bishop said: “May the angel be with all those who work here, everyone doing the work of caring for those who are sick,” and he listed some of the many people involved in care.

As hospital friends and staff listened to the bishop, he said the sculpture “might invite you to be an angel, a messenger of God, by patience, kindness, understanding and encouragement in this facility.” Funds to pay for the sculpture were provided by the Friends of St. Elizabeth’s Hospital Foundation.

The sculptor is also finishing work on a Meditation Fountain next to the heart institute. Betty Renth provided funding for the fountain.

For more information about the hospital, please go to www.steliz.org.