Scout creates stations for Oceanside Church

By: DANIEL ELY - For the North County Times
Eighth-grader recognizes influencial figures | Wednesday, March 5, 2008 11:02 PM PST ∞

OCEANSIDE -- Students and faculty at St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic School gathered Wednesday morning to bless the school's new Stations of the Cross and recognize the hard work of the student who guided their creation.

Paul Brown, 13, is an eighth-grade student at St. Mary's. In addition to playing football, basketball, volleyball and serving as student council president at the school, Paul is a Boy Scout.

One requirement to attain the Boy Scout's highest rank of Eagle is the completion of a project that benefits a school, church, or the community in general. Paul said his project is perfect, as it serves all three at once.

Father Mike Diaz, who blessed the school's new additions, said the Stations of the Cross were developed in 1342 by the Fransiscans. They consist of a series of 14 markers, usually pictures or sculptures, representing different stages in the final hours of Jesus Christ's life, from his sentencing to his placement in the tomb.

"This is a very detailed and ambitious project," Diaz said. "I've been involved in many (Eagle Scout projects) and this is among the best."

Each station is marked by a 5-feet tall redwood cross and a plaque with a picture of Jesus Christ at the time the station symbolizes.

Each cross is also dedicated to the memory of someone important to the school.

Some of the people recognized, such as Pope John Paul II and Mother Theresa, hold widespread religious significance, but most are of personal significance to the school. One is Maj. Ray Mendoza, the father of two St. Mary's students who was killed in Iraq while serving with the Marine Corps.

"I like that it has a special meaning to the people here," said Paul's father, Mike Brown. "It adds to the practice of the faith, I'd say."

The crosses took 250 hours of labor from Paul and 20 other Scouts with help from friends and neighbors, Mike Brown said. The stations were paid for by a St. Mary's fundraiser.

"In a way, everyone here at the school participated," Mike Brown said. "That probably sounds corny, but it's true."

As an eighth-grader, this is Paul's last year at St. Mary's before leaving for high school.

"I wanted to do it this year," Paul said, "It'll be a nice going-away present for the school. Once I get to high school, I know I won't have time with all the homework."

"It helps to keep you focused on what's at the core of our faith -- the life and death of Jesus Christ," said St. Mary's Principal Alan Hicks.

Though Eagle is the highest rank a Scout can advance to, Paul said he still hopes to earn the coveted Hornaday award, a recognition for environmental and ecological service which has only been awarded to about 1,000 Scouts.