October 8, 2000    

DEDICATION OF ST. HENRY DE OSSO CHAPEL

(Click on pictures to enlarge)

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us be glad and rejoice! Three years have passed since we first announced a plan to construct a small chapel in honor of St. Henry de Osso, in Covington, LA. The idea, then in the dreaming stage, was to provide a place for worship on the grounds of the provincialate. People who had attended retreats, or other activities related to their spiritual growth conducted at the Teresian provincialate, were first in suggesting it and in encouraging the sisters to pursue that noble endeavor. What at that time was only a "dream" became a beautiful reality today.

The liturgical celebration began at 10:30 a.m., presided by the Most Rev. Archbishop of New Orleans Francis Schulte. The wonderful choir of St. Scholastica Academy under the direction of Sharon Schamer, provided beautiful music for the ceremony.  Teresian associates Charlie O’Brien and June Cognevich made the first and second reading, respectively. Deacon Robert Beaumont, master of ceremony, read the Gospel. In his homily the Archbishop spoke about God’s dwelling places and the significance of the consecration of an altar. The rite of dedication, he said, speaks by itself of the grandeur of the event. He proceeded to pray the litany of the saints, followed by the anointing of the altar. Then the altar was incensed and dressed. From the Paschal Candle, Deacon Beaumont lighted all other candles, then all the lights of the building were turned on. It was a beautiful dramatic moment.

 Besides Deacon Beaumont, Deacon Charles Read assisted the Archbishop. Rev. Thomas Perrier, O.S.B., and Rev. Justin Brown, O.S.B. concelebrated. Two altar boys from St. Peter Parish were also serving. The offertory gifts were presented by our General Superior Carmen Bartolome and some of the benefactors. Octavia and Michael Sansovich, who donated the Way of the Cross, presented the flowers; Ana Maria Mitchell presented the water; Nick Sherlock, the constructor, presented the wine; Robert Mayard, the architect, brought the hosts; Mrs. Lil Friedrich and her son Bob presented the ciborium and patten, and Mr. Thomas Werling, donor of the altar, presented the chalice.

After communion Sister Isabel Ordoño thanked the people for their generous contributions for building the chapel and furnishing it. The Archbishop thanked the Society for its ministry in Louisiana. He ended the Mass given the blessing with the relic of Father Seelos, a saint who worked in this archdiocese and whose canonization the Archbishop attended recently.

The vicar for religious Sister Suellen Tennyson, M.S.C., and our general prefect of education Sister Gloria Rodriguez were among the friends, benefactors, and Sisters who attended the ceremony. Sr. Thelma Dexheimer, whose deceased mother left a large amount for the chapel, was present too. Besides Sr. Thelma, Sr. Carmelina Guzman and Sr. Ma. Luz Ortega came from San Antonio. All the Sisters from Louisiana, as well as the Teresian associates of this area, attended the celebration.

The dedication of the chapel was followed by lunch for all in the cafeteria. Some restaurants and friends donated most of the food. The entire day was an opportunity to give praise and thanks to the Lord for His goodness to us.