Special dedication ceremony for new Catholic school in London, Ont.

A special dedication ceremony was held Wednesday morning for the new $22 million St. Gabriel Elementary School in London.

Director of Education for the London District Catholic School Board (LDCSB) Vince Romeo said St. Gabriel is the board’s newest elementary school.

“A first of its kind for us in that we had a mid-year move, so the students and staff all joined St. Gabriel in January of this year. And we are gathering today for an official blessing with Bishop Fabbro from the Diocese of London,” said Romeo.

Students and staff participated in the hour-long ceremony as Most Rev. Ronald P. Fabbro, CSB Bishop of London blessed the new school in the city’s north end.

“It’s been a tradition of ours and a way for us to bless the learning spaces that students and staff get to enjoy each day,” said Romeo.

Bishop Fabbro walked around the school and blessed the hallways with Holy water.

“This [is a] beautiful new school and we’ll ask God’s blessing on it so that we know that God is there to protect us and be with us with all our children as this school serves the needs of our community,” said Bishop Fabbro.