Eagle scout freshens up statue’s home at Divine Providence

Christopher Rayle, a senior at Brother Martin High, organized volunteers from his scouting troop and home parish of Our Lady of Divine Providence to refurbish overgrown gardens surrounding the Madonna and Child statue at the Metairie church’s front entrance. Father Mike Mitchell, pastor of OLDP, dedicated and blessed the site after the 10 a.m. Mass on June 22. The beautification endeavor, undertaken by Rayle as his Eagle Scout service project for OLDP-based Troop 172, included removing plants and shrubs from the existing garden, creating a path of stepping stones, lining the beds with weed-preventing fabric, sand and mulch, and replanting the garden with day lilies. A cedar arbor, assembled by Rayle and his fellow scouts, also was installed, as were fresh floodlights that will illuminate the statue at night for travelers using West Metairie Avenue. To fulfill the Eagle Scouts’ requirement that service projects demonstrate young men’s organizational abilities and leadership skills, Rayle raised funds for the garden overhaul by soliciting donations from OLDP’s Knights of Columbus group, businesses and individuals.