Wings Fall 09 - St. Scholastica Academy

B E C O M E S A R E A L I T Y . . .
er of Perpetual Help Chapel
Cambre Dwyer ’80, alum parents Karen and Larry Bucksbarg and Betty and Jean
Champagne. Lighting of the Sanctuary Light was by faculty member Bill Gallop.
SSA School Board Chair Matt Voelkel performed the Welcome. Remarks were given by
Mary Kathryn Villere, SSA Principal, Sr. Kathleen Finnerty, OSU, Superintendent of Schools,
Archdiocese of New Orleans Sr. Jeanne d’Arc Kernion ’53 (SSA Principal 1972-79) and
Marguerite S. Celestin, SSA President.
A wonderful reception was held after the dedication with delicious food prepared by local
restaurants. Thank you to our chapel dedication reception chairs Jane Harvey, Beth
Lambert, Cheryl Murphy, and Karen Spell. The reception cake made in the likeness of the
chapel was created by Lynell Manning Dupepe ’78.
Our Chapel
The chapel was initially conceived as a replacement for the original chapel that graced the
old school building torn down in the 1960’s. We have chosen the title of our Blessed
Mother “Our Mother of Perpetual Help” for several reasons. She is “Our Mother,” an
important role model for our young women (for whom motherhood is highly valued).
Mary is always there for us, thus “Perpetual Help.” Through devotion to Our Mother of
Perpetual Help, our students will learn that Mary, our Mother, will help them in time of need
and be their intercessor before the throne of God. This new chapel fulfills a long-time
dream of the return of a true chapel to our campus.
General Description
The placement of the chapel within the campus serves as the centerpiece for the campus.
lt stands at the terminus of two orientations of the campus, the front entrance promenade
and the campus green.
The intent of the exterior design was to provide a contemporary interpretation in line and
form of the original school building that had mission revival influences from the Beaux Arts
movement. The entry experience includes layered faces that define the entrance portal, a
courtyard and then the main entrance.
The interior was meant to be straightforward with strong horizontal planes reinforced by
the warmth of the wood floor and ceiling. The wall behind the altar is also layered. The
forefront is a series of pylons that screen natural light, reflected on the back of the pylons.
The pylons have been painted blue. A darker blue toward the edges moves to a lighter blue
at the center directly behind the altar, thus highlighting and focusing the axis. The tower
allows filtered light into the space that highlights a devotional space for the titular icon, Our
Mother of Perpetual Help. The wood grilles at the main entry and the entry to the tower
are the supporting accents to the space that recalls the mission style.
The chapel will hold 180 people and will be used for class level Masses, adoration, prayer
services, communion services, rosaries, and individual meditation. Unfortunately, it will not
be large enough for the entire school at one time; therefore, we will still hold “all-school”
Masses in the gym. In time to come, the chapel will hold special memories and meaning for
our students as they grow and develop in their faith. It will also be a place where some of
them will choose to hold their weddings.
Note: Some of the interior appointments were not ready at the time of Dedication and
will be installed later. They include the permanent tabernacle, font, presider’s chair and the
icons of Our Mother of Perpetual Help, Visitation, and Holy Family. The outdoor prayer
garden which will feature the Stations of the Cross will also be completed in the near
future.
Photos courtesy of Expressions, Times Picayune and SSA Staff.
D O V E W I N G S 35