The Most Reverend Leonard P. Blair, S.T.D., Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Hartford, visited East Shoreline Catholic Academy (ESCA) on Wednesday, Sept. 12.

Archbishop Blair was excited to meet all the students, and to see all the newly-renovated classrooms, maker space, and cafetorium.  The students presented him with gifts of candy and beautifully framed art of the school's logo, encircled by "finger petals" (a petal for each student—every student personally dipped their finger in paint to create the two tiers of petal circles in the academy's color theme). 

While touring the school, one ESCA kindergartner asked her teacher if she could give Archbishop Blair a post-9/11 card they made in class. The students were learning about how our nation comes together in times of need, and the heroism relating it to Jesus, and a story about kindness they had read.  The student interpreted this as a way of being kind to Archbishop Blair and presented him with the card, upon her teacher's approval.  Archbishop Blair was so pleased with this gesture of kindness, from the kindergartner, and from all the students and staff at ESCA, he said a prayer of blessing for all.

More about East Shoreline Catholic Academy (ESCA): ESCA has employed the STREAM (Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Arts, and Math) curriculum. It is the successor school of Our Lady of Mercy School established in 1954 [in Madison]  and Saint Mary School established in 1961 [in Branford].   Housed in the former Saint Mary School, it is the only Catholic elementary  (pre-K 3 to grade 8) school on the east shoreline from Madison to New Haven.

Sponsored by three parishes in the Archdiocese of Hartford, it is one of three Archdiocesan STREAM academies.  ESCA is a "think forward" school that places high priority on educator training, learning, leadership, and 21st century skill applications.   For more information about us visit our website:  https://eastshorelinecatholicacademy.org