|
The congregation’s work in education and healthcare led to the founding of what would become the CHRISTUS Santa Rosa health system, the University of the Incarnate Word and Incarnate Word High School. Completion of Phase I restoration and renovation at the chapel inaugurates a year of celebrations recognizing the 100th anniversary of the chapel and the 125th anniversary of the university and high school.
Overseeing the 2006 chapel renovations was Sister Walter Maher, CCVI, General Councilor, who noted this included implementing liturgical norms set by Vatican II as well as other changes. “We’re putting a bit more of our congregational identity on the chapel,” she said. Especially notable is the sisters’ very familiar emblem, once worn on their habits and now executed in red and white marble in the floor at the main entrance.
“Almost everybody knows us by that emblem,” she said, “so when you walk in, you get the sense that this is really the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word’s chapel.” This same Italian marble now covers the chapel’s floor as well, replacing the former carpeting and enhancing the chapel’s acoustics.
Another major change is the new 8,000-pound Carrara marble altar from Italy, which is smaller than the previous one and has been brought forward, thus enlarging the sanctuary space. The former series of steps approaching the altar has also been minimized. “Our intent has been to bring the sanctuary closer to the congregation so that there is less separateness,” said Sister Helena Monahan, CCVI, Superior General.
The tabernacle has been moved to a newly built Eucharistic chapel to the right of the main altar, which features a back-lit Cavallini stained glass window whose focal point is the Sacred Host. The window’s borders depict the national flowers of the countries served by the sisters: France, the iris; Guatemala, the orchid; Ireland, the shamrock; Mexico, the nopal cactus; Peru, the kantuta; Texas, the bluebonnet; and Zambia, the flame lily.
Several new faux marble arches were also created. One now frames statues of Mary and Joseph, placed together for the first time to convey a sense of family. Another forms a more imposing entrance at the back of the chapel. The narthex is graced by a new Italian marble font.
Newly installed lighting illuminates the chapel’s ornate embellishments, which have incorporated imported woodwork from Poland, as well as work by local craftsmen from Circle C Millwork, in the current renovations. The installation of state-of-the-art audio/visual technology allows services in the chapel to be broadcast worldwide via the Internet.
Liturgical design for the renovation was developed by Rolf R. Rohn of Pittsburgh, Pa., with its implementation facilitated by Primero Engineering, headed by David Mack. The project’s general contractor, Mike Boyle (owner of M.J. Boyle General Contractor, Inc.), attributes the near miraculous overcoming of obstacles involved in the project (such as the tight construction schedule and getting imported materials through customs) to the sisters’ heavenly “connections.” “We’re good, but there was something more there,” he noted.
Not the least of the challenges involved was being able to work in the chapel only four days a week. With weddings booked for the chapel a year in advance and the sisters determined no one would be disappointed, the work crews had to do a complete clean-up at the end of the day on Thursdays to allow for wedding rehearsals on Fridays and weddings on the weekends.
Tom McCoy, project manager for the sisters, related an incident one such Thursday when he spotted two women eyeing the chapel’s inner disarray. He began shooing them out, announcing the chapel was closed for renovations, when he saw the younger woman’s eyes well up with tears and her lip begin to quiver. “I’m supposed to be getting married here on Saturday,” she said, voice wavering.
McCoy swiftly assured her she still was, lifting up paper and drop cloths to show the girl and her mother some of the changes already in place, and promising that all construction paraphernalia would be whisked away that night. The bride-to-be’s eyes quickly dried as she learned she would be the first to walk down the chapel’s new white marble aisle.
Workmen scurried around making finishing touches in the hours before the March 24 Solemn Vespers that celebrated the vigil of the Solemnity of the Annunciation, but all was beautifully in place as the sisters entered for their first viewing of the newly renovated chapel. Of special interest to many was the old, ornate “Reverend Mother’s chair,” part of the old furnishings that have been refinished, which is now positioned at the back of the chapel.
At the vespers, Sister Helena introduced Sister Walter as being “the inspiration and drive” behind the entire renovation project and presented her with a bouquet of flowers on behalf of the congregation. Noting that “in this space, we celebrate all the significant milestones of our lives,” Sister Walter expressed gratitude “for the gift of the past, the gift of the present and the gift of the future.” The various contractors involved were then thanked by name, with representatives from each asked to stand and be recognized.
Presider for vespers was Sister Eilish Ryan, CCVI, with Sister Dorothy Batto, CCVI, bearing the paschal candle to the altar, and Sister Martha Ann Kirk, CCVI, presenting the incense in an interpretive liturgical dance. The intercessions were given by Sister Pilar Neira, CCVI, and Sister Rosaleen Harold, CCVI, with Pat Kerwin serving as cantor. A celebratory reception followed on the grounds of the Brackenridge Villa.
The Mass of Thanksgiving on March 25, feast of the Solemnity of the Annunciation, was celebrated by Archbishop José H. Gomez, with Archbishop Emeritus Patrick F. Flores, Bishop Patrick J. Zurek, Bishop Edmond Carmody and Bishop Michael Pfeifer, OMI, as concelebrants.
Concelebrating priests included Father Philip Lamberty, OP, Father Wayne Cavalier, OP, Father James Schellenberg, Father Jim Rutkowski, Msgr. Patrick Ragsdale, Father Alejandro de Jesús and Msgr. Ramon Garcia, assisted by Deacon Thomas Billimek.
Addressing the gathering at this sacred event, Sister Helena spoke of the initial construction of the chapel in 1906 as having begun with “little more than a dream” and thanked all whose work over the years had led to the celebration that day, including Sister Margaret Patrice Slattery, CCVI, immediate past president of Incarnate Word College (now UIW) and Dr. Louis Agnese, current president, and his wife, Mickey, who were present.
Also recognized were the CCVI nuns who had traveled from Houston, Mexico and Peru to be present that evening and the many religious dignitaries present. “So many have worked together to make tonight possible,” Sister Helena said. “We honor all of you ... everyone who has come to make tonight real.”
The intercessions were read in languages of the countries in which the CCVIs serve: French, Spanish, English Lozi, German and Gaelic.
Archbishop Gomez noted, “This is a day of great joy,” as he thanked the sisters for their work in promoting human dignity since their arrival in San Antonio in 1869, which preceded the creation of the diocese of San Antonio in 1874. “You have helped all of us, for many years, to center our lives in Jesus Christ,” he said.
Speaking of the mystery of the Incarnation as the foundation of the sisters’ charism and spirituality, he observed that, with the dedication of the new altar, “we are again reminded of the centrality of Jesus in our lives.” The archbishop also emphasized the important role of the Blessed Mother in bringing Christ’s message to us.
Following the prayer dedicating the new altar to the Lord and invoking his blessing, the altar was anointed with chrism, the symbol of Christ, who on the altar of his body offered the sacrifice of his life for the salvation of all. Incense was then burned upon the altar to signify the sacrifice of Christ and the prayers of the people rising up to God, followed by the placing of the altar cloth and lighting of the altar candles in preparation for the “sacrificial banquet” and symbolizing Christ as “a light to enlighten the nations.”
Bearing the holy oil for this blessing were Sister Leonila Gonzalez, CCVI, and Sister Dolores Maria de Constanzo, CCVI, of the Province of Mexico, and Sister Bette Anne Bluhm, CCVI, U.S. Province Coordinator. Sister Pilar Neira, CCVI (Region of Peru), and Sister Dorothy Batto, CCVI, brought forward and placed the altar cloth.
Gift bearers for the Mass were Dr. Louis Agnese, president of UIW and wife Mickey, and Don Beeler, president and CEO of CHRISTUS Santa Rosa, and wife Virginia. Master of ceremonies was Lee Rosas. Altar servers were: Charles Ramirez, Anastacio Hinojosa, Juan Hinojosa, Nicholas Hinojosa, Peter Fingar, B.K. Deruen and Megan Mikulka.
Music was provided by the UIW Chorale and Brass Quartet, under the direction of William Gokelman, with organists Mark Marty and Mary Hernandez. Cantor was Deborah Bussineau-King.
In remarks concluding the dedication Mass, Dr. Agnese spoke of the university, led by the sisters in the spirit of the Incarnate Word, continuing to prosper and meet the challenges of the new millennium.
He ended with the rousing enjoinder, “Praise be the Incarnate Word!” which elicited sustained applause.
Congratulating the sisters on behalf of the archdiocese, Archbishop Gomez closed by observing the day was doubly special in that the Feast of the Annunciation marked the fifth anniversary of his having been made a bishop. He added that he had been born in a hospital of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word. “What can I say?” he said. “I love the sisters!” |