Opening of the John Paul II school

Opening of the John Paul II school

OPENING OF THE JOHN PAUL II SCHOOL

The John Paul II School is a project begun by Fr. Emiliano Tardif some years ago, but which he himself was unable to complete because of his death, suffered last year. The opening ceremony was held in the presence of several dignitaries, including Cardinal Nicolas de Jesus Lopez Rodriguez.

The heat of the afternoon was at its height. A special day, since it was the culmination of Fr. Tardif’s dream of building this evangelization school in the Dominican Republic. Moreover, he wanted this school to bear the name of John Paul II. Hundreds of people attended the ceremony. Cardinal Lopez Rodriguez celebrated a Mass of thanksgiving, during which several people gave witness to graces received through the intercession of Fr. Tardif... whom the cardinal described as a “great evangelizer”.

Coming from Canada, two brothers and a sister of Fr. Tardif (Louis, Adrien and Irène), as well as one of his nieces and her husband (Hélène and Martial), took part in the ceremony. They wished to be witnesses of the realization of his dream... this dream that he was not able to complete in his lifetime. Acis

Cardinal Lopez Rodriguez

During the Eucharist, Cardinal Lopez Rodriguez spoke of Fr. Tardif’s legacy, mentioning the fact that his Masses often ended with services of healing in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament... the cardinal added... “Sharing without limit the gift he had received, Fr. Tardif delighted in uniting evangelization with prayer for the sick.” It is thus that several of his friends undertook to continue the realization of Fr. Tardif’s dream, to build a house of evangelization where evangelizers and “leaders” would be formed. This John Paul II School, in addition to having the usual buildings, will have a church for liturgical needs.

Mrs. Leonora Alcantara is its director, and the John Paul II School is located on Avenida Jacobo Majluta.

Article taken from the Journal Las Sociales of June 12, 2000