'Keep the flowers blooming'

By Emily Chaffins -

Photography: EMILY CHAFFINS | FC

FORT LAUDERDALE | Having spent nearly 45 years at St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Denise Aloma has noticed an intriguing pattern: students’ devotion to praying near the statue of Our Lady.

Even the long-serving Aloma, principal of the school in Fort Lauderdale, has never known a time when the iconic statue wasn’t near the hallway, hands clasped in prayer as students and staff hurry to and from classes. Although the plot of ground where the statue stands used to be little more than “dying grass,” Aloma was amazed to see students consistently praying there.

“The statue is located between the Adoration Chapel and the guidance department. As I reflected on the location, I saw it as a bridge metaphorically,” she said “like how we send students into the world through Our Lady.”

Aloma became convinced that the area around the statue should mirror its significance to the school. “I wanted to honor and represent what we can’t see - that seeds are planted in all alumni,” she said.

Working alongside her team, Aloma had the area surrounding the statue revamped into the new Prayer Garden. Dedicated Oct. 23, 2025, the garden is a tribute to Sister Elizabeth Worley, chancellor for administration and chief operating officer of the Archdiocese of Miami, and the women religious whose prayers and service have strengthened Catholic education in the Archdiocese of Miami.

The walls surrounding the garden courtyard, painted in dynamic sunrise colors by artist Cavan Koebel of Raw Sol Art, include Our Lady’s face in profile, the Holy Spirit’s wings blooming into flower petals, and more. The iconic statue is surrounded by greenery and flowers in purple, pink and white shades, matching the mural.

Sister Worley has been a religious sister for over 60 years, wearing many hats throughout her vocation, including chemistry teacher, board chair of Mercy Hospital and CEO of Catholic Hospice. At the garden dedication, she told students that “sisters are an endangered species, which is why you don’t have the Dominican sisters here [at St. Thomas Aquinas High] anymore.”

"Where would we be without our religious sisters?" observed Jim Rigg, archdiocesan superintendent of Catholic schools. He added that Catholic education in the United States is possibly “the best educational system ever. The best anti-poverty strategy ever."

Father Celsus Auguiste, theology teacher and spiritual director at St. Thomas Aquinas High, sprinkled holy water on the garden. In his speech, he said to Sister Worley, “The garden epitomizes all the work you have done” in its blossoming.

Rigg also praised Sister Worley, additionally recognizing St. Thomas Aquinas High’s former principal, Sister John Norton, who served from 1979-1996.

“Our Catholic school system in the archdiocese would not exist and would not represent such excellence in academics and faith formation if it had not been for the women religious who have staffed and continue to staff our Catholic schools,” Rigg said.

Sister Worley gazed around at the vibrant mural as the school choir sang renditions of “Hail Mary: Gentle Woman,” “Hail Holy Queen” and other songs. “This is a delight,” she told attendees. “Gardening is one of my favorites and so is singing.”

She learned about rose gardening from her father at a young age. Despite the challenges of cultivating roses in Miami, Sister Worley continued gardening using roses to brighten the days of those at Mercy Hospital, where she worked for almost two decades.

Having taught for over a decade at schools including Immaculata-La Salle High School and Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory, Sister Worley noted that gardening can be very educational. At La Salle, she began researching butterflies’ development and the types of plants that form their habitat.

“The butterfly lands on a specific plant that the caterpillar will need, kind of looking out for the next generation, if you will,” she said. “I brought that process into the classroom so that the students could watch it.”

The class witnessed the chrysalis “break open like there was a zipper” to reveal the butterfly, which symbolizes the resurrection of Christ. “This is not your normal education,” said Sister Worley.

To those gathered at the dedication, she said, “You have a great opportunity here of putting in some flowers that the butterflies like.”

Maddie Camp, director of institutional advancement at St. Thomas Aquinas High, is sold on making the garden butterfly-friendly. She believes “the symbolism of new life” is a great fit for the Prayer Garden, noting, “It’s something we can do that’s so simple but creates such a powerful impact.”

To Robert Biasotti, executive director of the high school, “The butterflies are the wonder of God happening in front of you.”

Ana Sarraga, a 12th-grader, is thrilled that they built “a garden, not just a room,” so “the beauty of nature” can aid in prayer.

“I’ve been in Catholic education my whole life,” said Ciara Petit-Dieu, also a 12th grader. “I like how I can express my faith openly.”

Madison Newman, another senior, agrees. “In the Prayer Garden, we have a space where we’re invited to go in case we want to speak to Mary,” she said. “It shows that our school cares about giving us a place to practice our faith.”

As for Sister Worley, she hopes that students and teachers alike will learn from the Prayer Garden and “understand what it is to be quiet in the presence of God and how powerful that presence can be.”

“Keep the flowers blooming,” she told those at the dedication.

Perhaps sometime soon, butterflies will make their home in the garden, and students will kneel by the statue of the Blessed Mother, praying that their own wings be opened.