Joseph Norton Memorial Peace Garden on the CCP Middle School Campus

Chaminade College Preparatory Middle School’s Peace Garden is dedicated to the school’s beloved Marianist Educator, Joseph Norton, who passed away in 2024. The Peace Garden is a space of reflection, peace, and inspiration for all who seek to find these values amongst the beauty of creation. 

The Joseph Norton Memorial Peace Garden stands as a living tribute to a beloved Marianist educator whose faith, kindness, and dedication deeply shaped our Chaminade family. Designed by our Student Diversity Team, the garden honors the memory of Mr. Joseph Norton, who passed away from colon cancer in 2024. His gentle spirit and unwavering care for others continue to inspire us to live with compassion, respect, and faithfulness to God’s call. 

This sacred space was made possible through the generous support of an anonymous donor, whose heartfelt gift has helped bring this vision to life. Their generosity reflects the Marianist value of community — the belief that together, through shared faith and service, we can build something beautiful and lasting. 

The garden is designed as a place for prayer, reflection, and peace, inviting both students and adults to pause amid the busyness of life — to breathe in the beauty of creation, to listen for God’s voice, and to remember that we are called to be peacemakers. 

At its center stands a Peace Pole, a universal symbol reminding us to pray for peace in our world and to work for it in our daily lives. Around it, flowers and plants native to California celebrate our state’s natural heritage and reflect the beauty of God’s creation in our own community. 

Three statues bring deeper meaning to this sacred space. St. Francis of Assisi, patron of peace and creation, calls us to live simply and care for all living things. The Blessed Mother, the heart of our Marianist tradition, reminds us to say “yes” to God and to bring Christ’s light into the world. And the statue of a dog honors Mr. Norton’s love for animals, symbolizing loyalty, joy, and the unconditional love that reflects God’s own heart. 

The Peace Garden is also a living classroom — a place where classes and clubs can gather to plant, learn, and grow together. Here, students can take part in hands-on lessons about stewardship, ecology, and care for creation, connecting their faith to the real world through meaningful, engaging experiences. 

The Joseph Norton Memorial Peace Garden is more than a physical space — it is a living prayer. It stands as a symbol of hope, gratitude, and renewal, reminding us of Mr. Norton’s enduring legacy, our Marianist mission, and our shared call to be instruments of peace, respect, and love in the world. 

Update sent by Kate Beskid 

Ministry Lead, MFEP, 

Director of Campus Ministry, 

CCP Middle School, Chatsworth, CA