justin rivera

Justin Rivera | Life Scout | Troop 811 | Brea, CA

St. Michael The Archangel Prayer Garden

A Note of Gratitude from Justin:

Dedication of St. Michael The Archangel Prayer Garden

Updates

Project Photos

Justin Rivera | Life Scout | Troop 811 | Brea, CA

"A Scout is Reverent"

Thank you for visiting the information page for my Eagle Project - a prayer garden to be located on the grounds of St. Angela Merici Catholic Church in Brea, CA.

My Eagle Project is to create a Prayer Garden area dedicated to St. Michael the Archangel. St. Michael the Archangel is the patron saint of illnesses. Since the start of the global pandemic, St. Michael the Archangel has been a key figure of hope to the faithful, as we have prayed to this saint to intercede for help and protection. The prayer garden will be located near the side entry of St. Angela Merici Catholic Church and will provide a peaceful area to enable the faithful to pray and reflect.

The statue of St. Michael the Archangel was generously donated by a parishioner of St. Angela Merici Catholic Church, and will serve as the focal point of the garden. The completed garden will include two benches, pavers, and a concrete platform for the placement of the statue. The base of the platform will include a plaque engraved with the prayer to St. Michael the Archangel. Upon completion, the garden will provide a peaceful area for prayer and reflection.

Thank you for supporting this project and my Scouting commitment to Reverence.

St. Michael The Archangel Prayer Garden

Boy Scout Eagle Project

Area to be developed for prayer garden

This area is located on the NorthEast corner of St. Angela Merici Church. The area for the prayer garden measures 9' x 12'

Artist rendering of prayer garden

The St. Michael the Archangel statue will serve as the focal point of this inviting garden. The pedestal/base of the statue will include a plaque with the prayer to St. Michael. The area will include pavers, lighting, two benches, and repurposed plants.

A Note of Gratitude from Justin:

THANK YOU for your loving support and encouragement of my Eagle Project! Due to your generosity, my fundraising goal has been met and the project is underway! Please return to this site for updates, progress, and photos!

Dedication of St. Michael The Archangel Prayer Garden

Updates

Day One: Saturday, April 1st: It's Groundbreaking Day! My crew removed existing plants and soil to prepare for laying the pavers. After pounding the ground to make it level, we spread sand. After ensuring the sand was level, we carefully installed the pavers and the Eagle Scout brick. We brushed in the finishing sand to set the pavers.

Day Two: Sunday, April 2nd: Prepared the frame on the ground in preparation for the base that will hold the statue. We pounded rebar at each of the four corners and then poured concrete to form the ground base.

Day Three: Monday, April 3rd: We assembled concrete blocks on top of the concrete base, then filled the blocks with wet concrete.

Day Four: Tuesday, April 4th: Installed prayer plaque on front face of concrete platform.

Day Five: Wednesday, April 5th: Poured the concrete topper. When it is fully dry, it will be installed upon the concrete platform. In the meantime, we applied stucco to the walls of the concrete platform.

Day Six: Friday, April 7th: We placed the concrete topper on the platform! But first...I put together a time capsule and inserted it in the center of the concrete platform. We planted African Daisies, installed drip irrigation, lighting, and spread mulch and bark. It's all coming together and looking great!

Day Seven: Tuesday, April 11th: My fellow Scouts helped to assemble the two benches. Great teamwork, Scouts! We then placed them in the garden and secured them with locks.

Day Eight: Wednesday, April 12th: We picked up the statue of St. Michael the Archangel to prepare for its assembly and final placement.

Day Nine: Saturday, April 15th: The statue was assembled and placed on the platform with adhesive. We are ready for the formal unveiling and Dedication!