This Angel was brought to STURBRIDGE MASSACHUSETTS as a place for families and friends to visit and reflect. It was made possible through the generous donations and support of many people. The Angel project speaks from the heart and has touched the lives of many, some whom have never lost a child but wanted to make a difference. We were brought together for one main purpose, to honor and remember
all of Our Angels. May their light continue to shine through our love…….. Anne's Shrine Fiskdale, MA
December 2007:
Sturbridge has an ‘Angel of Hope’ statue
By Stephanie Richards
The setting is a picturesque, landscaped
ground on a Fiskdale hillside. A still peacefulness
envelops visitors as they approach. A
table sits to the right, and thoughts flash to
images of being fed, nourished, not physically
but deeply, in the soul. And then, among the
natural surroundings, is the angel statue, arms
wide open. It is an invitation to come and be
embraced, to be at peace. Surrounding the statue at St.Anne’s Parish
and Shrine are 200 etched bricks, each telling
a different story. A child who was aborted. Another who was stillborn. Others whose
lives were ended early due to illness, accidents,
or while serving as firefighters or military
personnel.These are the names of sons
and daughters, remembered forever around
an “Angel of Hope.”
Dedicated on September 15, the Angel of
Hope statue at St.Anne’s Parish and Shrine is
the second one in Massachusetts and the
73rd such site in the world.The history of the
statue centers on a book, The Christmas Box,
by Richard Paul Evans. According to Evans’website,“The
Christmas Box Angel Statue was introduced
to the world in the book The Christmas Box,
a worldwide bestseller and hit television
movie. In the book, a woman mourns the loss
of her child at the base of an angel monument. Though the story is mostly fiction, the
angel monument once existed but is speculated
speculated
to have been destroyed.The new angel
statue was commissioned by Richard Paul
Evans, in response to reports that grieving
parents were seeking out the angel as a place
to grieve and heal.”
The statue at St.Anne’s Shrine came
through a culmination of efforts between two
area women—Linda Bilodeau and Sylvia
Gaumond-- who know the heartache and pain
of losing a child. Two years ago, Bilodeau read about a dedication
of an Angel of Hope statue online and
that began her journey to have one in
Fiskdale. “You look for things to do to try and
survive,” she said. “I was inspired when I read
about this dedication and began looking further
into it, speaking to a woman at the Salt
Lake City headquarters and then a coordinator
in Rhode Island.”
Gaumond started researching the possibility
of a statue, which is a non-denominational
project, when she found out Bilodeau was in
the planning stages for one. She had already
raised $10,000 when the two met and decided
to move forward together on the project.
“Sylvia and I each have our own strengths. She is good on the computer and I like to
speak.We each contributed our skills to this
effort and that made it more special.We make
a great team,” said Bilodeau, who lost her
daughter Jill five years ago.“We have been
very lucky to have wonderful family and
friends who have assisted with this project
and volunteered their time and resources. From excavating and brick work to the electrical
work and fencing, so many gave of their
time and talents.The generosity of people has
been amazing.”
One of the most challenging features of the
project was finding the right site for the statue. Bilodeau said: “We did go to other locations,
including Shrewsbury and Webster. I did
get discouraged trying to find a place…it was
one of the hardest parts of this project.”
“It was difficult finding a spot, but we
knew God had already picked out the perfect
piece of land for this Angel of Hope statue. We are so blessed to be at St.Anne’s; the setting
is perfect. Peter Precourt, Pastor at
Saint Anne Parish,welcomed us with open
arms and it is more than we could have ever
dreamed of,” Gaumond said. Precourt said, after reading information
on the project, that he knew the statue was a
natural addition to the Shrine.“When I met
with Sylvia and Linda and looked at the material
on the Angel of Hope statue, it became
very clear to me that it would fit here. The
Shrine is a place of peace, solace and nature. We work with a lot of families who are grieving. For too long the death of a child has
been one of those hidden things—this statue
allows parents to say ‘no, I lost somebody.’
The grief of parents who have lost a child is
unique.Those who have it, understand it and
they together become hope for each other.”
Gaumond, who lost her son Jason four
years ago, agrees. “There has been healing for
us as well through involvement in this project. There is a lot of coordination and work,
but it is worth every minute. It is like a support
group…we’ve been able to reach out to
so many people through this statue. Years
ago, people were afraid to talk about death. It
is still uncomfortable, but there is more support
for those who are grieving the death of a
child. The Angel of Hope statue is a place for
all bereaved parents to come and find peace
and comfort.”
“It has nothing to do with age or reason,”
said Bilodeau.“It is a way for people to keep
the memory of their child alive. It’s comforting. My heart has been lightened through this
experience—the pain in it—because of what
it represents.We want their (children’s) lights
to continue to shine and they do through the
Angel of Hope.”
Fr. Precourt said the statue draws many
additional visitors to the Shrine.“There are
always people on the grounds of the Shrine
seven days a week, but there has been a significant
increase in visitors to see this statue.”
Each December 6 a candlelight vigil takes
place at each of the at Angel of Hope statues
across the country. The vigil at St.Anne’s statue
will take place at 7 p.m. It will include
music and brief words from individuals who
have lost “angels.” Candles will be lit in
remembrance of each child and parents in
attendance will be given a white flower to lay
at the statue in memory of their child.The
date was chosen because it is the date the
child died in the The Christmas Box. In
many parts of the world, the date is also celebrated
as Children’s Day. Precourt reflected at the timing of
events to come to this point. “A company
donated a concrete table to the shrine in
memory of a female employee. She had lost a
daughter and came to St.Anne’s Shrine, finding
peace here she couldn’t find in her
church or elsewhere.The table, which now
sits at the entrance way to the statue,was
originally put where the site is for the Angel
of Hope.When I look back, there was a divine
plan at work.The place was already being
prepared for what it is now a place where
God is at work, touching people and drawing
them together.” THE STURBRIDGE TIMESMAGAZINE DECEMBER 2007
