The group met with the Northside Independent School District (NISD) to discuss the project, and Morkovsky went out to the high school campus to scout the area for the ideal location. The district suggested the north corner of the campus would be the best site, at the intersection of Dugas Road and John Paul Stevens Drive, on the far southeastern corner of the Stevens campus.
    The Board of Trustees met with Morkovsky and the concept was presented at a public meeting to gain approval. Once the project was given the go-ahead, Morkovsky then met with the school district architectural department to allow them to review the plans.

    The John Paul II Plaza will be a total of 1,600 square feet and will feature an open area for visitors to walk around. It is shaped as an octagonal/trapezium and will be xeriscaped with native plants and granite pebbles.
Morkovsky designed the wall with seven sides, each 18 inches high, to represent the seven continents. It was a reflection of the fact that the pope was a world traveler and visited many countries during his pontificate. The eighth side is open and connects to the public walk. The perimeter is a seven-sided split face Texas sunset red granite wall.

    A Texas granite boulder is positioned on the plaza to face the intersection. The bolder, weighing 22 tons, is Texas Radiate Red Granite from the Fredericksburg Quarry. It is four feet deep, six feet wide and nine feet tall.
Father Leopold, Sister Wedelich, Morkovsky and Msgr. Stuebben traveled to Marble Falls to discuss the planning, look at samples of granite and discuss the details of the acquisition. Since the preferred boulder could not be found in Marble Falls, they traveled to a quarry in Fredericksburg where the ideal boulder was located. However, the thermal finish process was prepared at the Cold Springs Granite Company Quarry in Marble Falls.
    Morkovsky explained that the reason for choosing a boulder is to bring to mind the Bible passage, “Upon this rock…”

    The face of the boulder has a polished surface containing the image of Pope John Paul II with illustrations of the state of Texas, Alamo and the flag of Texas in the background. Morkovsky felt continuity was important and suggested utilizing images from the poster and program used during the visit. The image was computerized to provide the greatest detail and then sandblasted into the granite.

An inscription reads, “On this site Pope John Paul II celebrated holy Mass for more than 350,000 people. September 13, 1987.”
The architect said there was much discussion regarding the inscription and he credits Msgr. Stuebben for its creation.

    Almost all of the services concerning labor at the site were donated. The firm of A.H. Beck Foundation Co. donated transportation to deliver the boulder to the final location. Plaza labor and reinforcement of the site was donated by J.C. Stoddard Co. The perimeter construction of the granite wall was donated by Curtis Hunt Masonry. Xeriscaping landscaping was donated by the De Cocke family, and Steve Persyn donated his engineering talents to the project.

    In addition, a cash donation from the Bejar Caravan Order of Alhambra Supreme Commander George De Winne was made to defray the cost of the monument.
    Its location allows people to visit the marker without having to enter the school grounds. No tax dollars were used in the design and the construction of the marker. The archdiocese will be responsible for its ongoing maintenance.

    Morkovsky concluded, “It is a privilege to design a permanent landmark commemorating this event in the city, state and nation.”

HISTORICAL MARKER UNVEILING
    Participants in the unveiling ceremony included Archbishop José H. Gomez; Dr. John M. Folks, NISD superintendent; Katie N. Reed, president of the NISD School Board; Msgr. Stuebben and Sister Wedelich. Other invitees included retired Bishop Charles Grahmann of Dallas, Father David Garcia, Father Martin Leopold, Msgr. Patrick Ragsdale, Msgr. Juan Alfaro and members of the Order of Alhambra and the Knights of Columbus, who provided the color guard. Archbishop Emeritus Patrick F. Flores was also in attendance.

    Superintendent Folks told attendees that the gathering was “a very important occasion” and that it was “a huge thrill to be a part of the historic event.” He boasted that the land “was a beautiful site which contained a beautiful school.” Folks listed two unique mementos which are contained inside the high school: one being a picture of Pope John Paul II and U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens meeting, given by Justice Stevens; and the other a panoramic photo of the papal Mass 20 years ago showing the sea of 350,000 people on the undeveloped land, a gift from the archdiocese.

    Sister Wedelich described the liturgy celebrated two decades ago as a “providence moment” in her life, and for all of those in attendance as well. “All of us can be so proud of the city of San Antonio,” she said. “Little miracles happen.”

    Archbishop Gomez said Pope John Paul II’s visit to San Antonio brought the community together to celebrate the arrival of a great spiritual leader who was the voice for those who could not speak for themselves and whose faith challenged us to see God in each other. In his homily at the Mass that he celebrated on this land, the Holy Father affirmed the hopes of the diverse community when he said, “Today yours is a multicultural society, striving for the fullness of harmony and collaboration among all.”

    The pope called San Antonio “a crossroads of two great nations” and urged all to see “a shared vision of the dignity of every human person, and a shared responsibility for the welfare of all, especially of the needy and the persecuted.” The Holy Father reminded worshippers that “Human needs, both spiritual and material, continue to call out to the church with a thousand voices,” making it clear that caring for the poor is essential to the mission of the church.

    Literally millions around the world heard the pontiff’s call for unity and collaboration at an historic moment for the world and the nation, said Archbishop Gomez. “The pope referred to the moral principles of America’s Constitution, and challenged the whole nation to test and reaffirm its values of justice and freedom,” he explained.

    The archbishop said it was appropriate that John Paul Stevens High School was built on the site of the papal Mass, where the Holy Father spoke such challenging and prophetic words. He closed by leading a prayer of blessing for the historical marker.