Renovated chapel re-dedicated

Catholic Pastoral Centre chapel dedicated to St. Francis de Sales

By BILL GLEN
WCR Staff Writer
Edmonton

With the walls still a bare white and a room smelling of fresh paint, about 75 people attended the Mass to dedicate the chapel to St. Francis de Sales, an early 17th century bishop of Geneva and doctor of the Church.

Collins recognized the efforts of all of the designers and builders of “this beautiful chapel and to them we are eternally grateful.”

He thanked them for their wisdom, heroism and craftsmanship.

“What we give to the Lord must always be done in beautiful recognition of the beautiful Lord,” he said.

“This chapel is dedicated to St. Francis de Sales, an amazing person filled with love. In his life as a priest, he gave himself zealously preaching the word of God, bringing the Gospel to so many people.”

Father Gregory Bittman, along with Father Paul Moret, celebrated Mass with the archbishop.

As chancellor of the archdiocese, Bittman was instrumental in overseeing the renovations.

“All I can say is that it cost a substantial amount,” he said.

“We looked at the chapel and nothing had been done for some 50 years. I know the archbishop wanted to enhance it and make it a focal point of the Pastoral Centre -- and for the archdiocese.”

The walls were refinished, the floor completely recarpeted and the ceiling was lowered to help make the space more intimate. The pews are reconfigured to circle around the altar, rather than just facing it, he said.

“It was noisy with the heating system fan running constantly. It wasn’t conducive to prayer. The heating system output has been doubled so that a fan is no longer needed.”

The chapel will house the events of different commissions and agencies in the archdiocese, such as the Council of Women Religious. It will continue to hold a daily Mass, Monday to Friday.

As well, the chapel will be used for marriage preparation.

“The people I have talked to are very pleased with what they see,” he said. “I think they were looking forward to it. During the renovations, people would come in to check out how things were coming along. They were interested in following the progress.

“It’s still not finished. We have the stations of the cross to put up and some artwork. We have some statues to place and other religious items. We have some plugs and lights to change.

“We are also planning on putting stained glass on the top part of the windows. We would gladly accept any donations toward that, or the new tabernacle, to make it a place of beauty.”

“I like to come here and attend early Mass to start my day. It’s a beautiful place to worship.” - Barney Markowski

, 78, lives near the Pastoral Centre and enjoys attending Mass every day. He has kept a keen eye on the chapel and was pleased with what has happened.

“It’s absolutely fantastic,” he said. “I’ve been waiting since they started renovating and it’s turned out even nicer than I expected.

“I like to come here and attend early Mass to start my day. It’s a beautiful place to worship.”

Also attending the opening was Sister Norma Johnson of the Sisters of Our Lady of Charity -- the order that once owned the sprawling Pastoral Centre grounds and ran thriving programs there. The sisters built the original chapel in 1951.

With Sister Margaret Benedeck beside her, Johnson watched with great pride knowing the chapel will stay with the archdiocese.

“Other (religious) communities have sold their properties, but ours has stayed,” she said. “It’s still being used for the work of God -- for God’s greater glory.”

She said the spirit with which the order was originally founded in Europe and eventually established here nearly a century ago was evident in the hearts and smiles of everyone attending the service.

“This place is grace filled,” she said. “There is a sacredness here.”

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