March 2007 , Volume 18 Number 4
Community Paper
copyright ©2007 by Community Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.

ST. CHARLES MURAL DEDICATION - February, 2007

When he was 17, Peter Pasha gazed at a convent chapel wall that would become the site of the largest art project that the high school student ever had attempted — a life-size mural of Joseph's calling by God — and believed he could be worthy of the task.
It turned out that he was.

Thirty years later as an experienced artist, Pasha embarked a second time on the same project. This time his job was to replace the mural at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School, and in so doing, he found himself making connections between the past and present and a life's journey that sometimes does turn full circle.

At the conclusion of Catholic Schools Week, a ceremony dedicated the new mural, which depicts the contributions of the school's 16th-century patron saint to Catholic education. The Rev. Thomas Barrett, pastor of the St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Community presided.

"Our school slogan is derived by St. Charles Borromeo: 'Cultivating the Mind and the Spirit' and that is what we have been doing successfully for over 50 years," said Jennifer Garrison, a representative of the school. "However, our motto is, 'Work Hard, Pray Hard, Play Hard!' The playground and mural are a testament of that. We expect our students to work hard in the classroom but realize the importance of balance in their lives. On their way to the playground they are reminded by the mural of the mission of St. Charles Borromeo and the importance of the importance of education throughout history. The playground serves as a reward for their hard work as well as a vehicle of fun physical activity. Allowing the students the opportunity of this physical exertion enhances their learning in the classroom. Both the mural and the playground are results of prayer and the response of the faithful."

After several sketches of ideas were passed up the line, the Calling of St. Joseph was chosen as the theme. With the assistance of a friend, Gerard Wicklin (also of the BMHS Class of 1976), Pasha began the under-drawing on the wall during the Christmas break in 1975. A local Porter Paint store contributed materials to the effort, and the painting was completed in the spring of 1976.

By the fall of 2005, Pasha said he thought the mural was in need of updating. The former convent building again had changed hands — this time as library and classroom space for St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School. Pasha volunteered to paint a new mural on the chapel wall, and St. Charles principal Mary Agnew and her husband Jim graciously donated the paint and materials for the new mural.

"I wanted to picture the patron saint's strength and guidance in Catholic education both in his time on earth and in our present time," he said. "The saint is surrounded by grade school children of the 16th century and our modern century. My two sons, Conor and Ryan, are portrayed to the immediate left of St. Charles.

For more information, please contact Carol Saunders at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School 407.293.7691, ext. 245.

Peter Pasha, artist, illustrator and teacher, lives in Winter Park, Fla. with his wife Kathy and his two sons, Conor and Ryan. He is a graduate of 12 years of Catholic education in three states and graduated with a BFA in art and graphic design from the University of Florida (1980). Professionally he divides his time between teaching, free-lance commercial art and fine art.

St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School
There are still opportunities for enrollment at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School. St. Charles has been Cultivating the Mind and Spirit in the College Park area for over 50 years! Strong State and Diocesan Curriculum Standards coupled with opportunities in art, drama, music and athletics, etc. ensures our students receive excellent multiple intelligence education. It is the faith filled, family friendly, fun atmosphere and quality, affordable education that motivates parents as far as Lake Mary, Oviedo, Groveland and Windermere to drive the distance for their children's future. Nestled behind St. Charles Catholic Church and adjacent to Bishop Moore High School, located right off Edgewater Drive in College Park, St. Charles is also convenient to Winter Park, Downtown Orlando, Baldwin Park, Maitland and Apopka. Parents with children Pre-K3 through 8th grade interested in learning more about the educational opportunities are welcome to call Mary Barbosa at 407.293.7691 ext. 221 or visit our website at www.stcharles-orlando.org for additional information. Hurry, space is limited!