More  than a Statue

On October 7, 2001, Father Flanagan returned to his birthplace, Ballymoe, County Galway, Ireland, in the likeness of a life size bronze statue* commissioned by the alumni association and created by sculptor Fred Hoppe.  The village of Ballymoe swelled from 75 to over 800, as representatives from church, government, family, alumni, friends of Girls and Boys Town, schools, organizations, parishioners and residents gathered to acknowledge the gift of the “Son of Ballymoe”.

Dr. Christopher Jones, Bishop of Elphin, blessed the statue: “God our Father, we thank you for the life and ministry of Fr. Edward J. Flanagan who made such an impact on the lives of countless children in helping them to realize their dignity and worth…”

On October 5, 2002, at Girls and Boys Town, the official twinning ceremony took place following the dedication of the identical bronze statue erected in front of Fr. Flanagan’s Boys Town residence. October 5th was officially declared “Girls and Boys Town Day” in the City of Omaha. Again, representatives from multiple groups and Fr. Flanagan’s birthplace and workplace, gathered to acknowledge this protector of youth, this immigrant priest who heroically responded to God’s call to love.

The legacy of Fr. Flanagan was present not only in the children of Girls and Boys Town, the alumni, government officials and delegations who gathered that day, but also in two sons of Boys Town: Fr. John Rizzo who celebrated the dedication mass, and Monsignor Joseph Ariano who led the closing prayer at the dedication.

What the Alumni began has become more than a statue, more than a project; their inspiration launched an ever-deepening relationship of sharing and support between Girls and Boys Town and the people of Ireland, rekindling the inspirations of a holy man whose work continues to challenge us to respond with the mind of Christ.

Statue unveiled at Ballymoe dedication

Unveiling at Boys Town Dedication and Twinning Ceremony