This Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, so I wanted to do something with a Lenten theme. That’s when I decided to reach out to my friend, Sister Kathleen Glavich, SND, a well-known writer and fellow blogger. A while ago she posted a reflection on her blog (“Catholic Faith Corner”) about the chapel here at our SND Center in Chardon. I had been thinking about writing a blog about our chapel, but when I saw hers, I thought, “I’ll just steal it!” The video she chose for the end of her reflection is on Westminster Cathedral’s Great Cross. I was really moved by the description and history of this magnificent cross! I thought both our SND chapel and the Great Cross would be a beautiful meditation for Lent! But I didn’t have to steal Kathleen’s reflection. She gave me permission to use it on my blog. I hope you enjoy the tour of our chapel with its beauty and rich symbolism. And I hope you enjoy the artistic genius of the artist who fashioned Westminster’s Great Cross.
(NOTE: Kathleen has many pictures of our chapel. One is of our choir singing at Easter. If you look very carefully, you’ll see both Kathleen and me. We are the two-dark haired Sisters in the front row. She’s the the second one on the left, I’m the third one on the right.)
NOTE: after you finish watching the video, come back to MY blog by clicking the arrow on the top left. If you wish to comment, write your comment below on MY blog. Here are my reflection questions for her blog and the video on the Great Cross:
1. Did anything stand out for you in Kathleen’s description/pictures of our chapel?
2) Do you have any thoughts or feelings about Westminster Cathedral’s Great Cross or the artist who fashioned it?
3) Are there any aspects of your own church or chapel that you especially appreciate? Why?
Here is Kathleen’s blog. Just click on the picture.
Churches and an SND Chapel to Explore
14 Responses
Good morning, Melannie…
Good morning, all…
I have to say, Melannie, your chapel is so, so beautiful! Please thank Sr. Kathleen for providing us with the symbolic nooks and crannies of your house of prayer. What struck me most was how much your chapel reflected your community as a whole. It held your names, it held your history, it held your artisanship, your calligraphy, your holiness. It must be a peaceful space to sit and rest and meditate on the love of God. Quick question: What symbols are on your clay square?
Good question, John! I have a yellow stubby #2 pencil to symbolize my writing… a small pure white oval stone that is a symbol of an egg. It represents the goose farm I was raised on plus the students I taught. I hope my teaching could help them on a small way to emerge from their shells… The word “liberty” (my last name in English)… words arranged in a tiny crossword (my love for words)… and a green leaf representing my love for nature. When I go into chapel later today, I’ll check my plaque to see if I missed anything. Thanks for writing! Melannie
Thanks!
Good morning, a beautiful space to pray. Thanks for sharing. I was also curious what was on your stone, thanks for answering that.
I hope everyone has a beautiful week.
Thanks for starting mine off with a thing of beauty
Good morning
Beautiful chapel with so many inspirations for prayer. I too, was curious about your stone. The entire wall is lovely and inclusive of all your sisters. I also was drawn to the triptych of quilts in the one space. Thank you and Sister Kathleen for sharing!
A beautiful chapel the cross so full of life-giving graces
Thank you for sharing your blog and these magnificent pictures…I felt I was right there in your chapel praying. Tell Sister Kathleen thank you also.
That Westminster cross as it rose above reminded me in life that we too can rise again.
Oh my Melannie: as many times as I have been in that chapel, I have either forgotten or never knew or it had become so commonplace of all that I missed. I need to hop a plane and come back and this time I will have your blog pulled up on my cell phone. Thanks so much for sharing.
Joni
I loved the tour of your chapel and the richness of the symbols. I was reminded of the saying: “God is in the details.” I intend to take some time during Lent to examine my parish church more closely. We (the choir) are actually going to offer a concert based on its stained glass windows. The nave has the original windows from when the church was built in 1898. New windows depicting the miracles found in St. Luke’s Gospel (my parish is named after Luke) were installed in the transept during a renovation 10 years ago.
I also enjoyed the video of the crucifix at Westminster. I had the opportunity to be part of a wonderful guided tour there in October, but we were pretty far from the altar.
Thank you Melannie for sharing Sr. Kathleen’s blog describing your chapel. I have been there several times to celebrate jubilees and am always fascinated by the beauty. Now I have a better understanding and appreciation of all the art and symbolism.
The video of the art and crucifix at Westminster Cathedral is so beautiful and inspiring as well. Our church, St. Raphael in Bay Village is filled with stained glass windows telling so many stories of our faith and incidents in Jesus’s life. Our church proper and Chapel are inspirational and peaceful places to pray and just BE in the silence.
May we all have a blessed and inspired Lent.
Good evening Dr. Melannie. Thanks for today’s blog. I loved the “old” ND chapel especially the sunburst stained glass window behind the altar. I’ve been in the present day chapel a few times and found its peaceful atmosphere grounding. I did not explore the different areas but now that I know of their connection to SND history I will check it out the next time I visit. Kudos to Sr Kathleen also. God bless you Sister and God bless us all.
What an interesting & beautiful chapel. Wish I lived closer to spend time in it. There is so much to take in. I love the simplicity of the Tabernacle. I have several books of Sister Kathleen’s.
Such an interesting video. OMG
Thank you both for sharing your Chapel. Another great Monday!!!
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I like the Devotional Stations in your Chapel, many ways to pray. I enjoyed the video on the Westminster Cross. Thank you for your blogs and videos each week!
Blessings!
Sr. Melannie, thank you for sending us on a field trip to your SND Chapel and Westminster Cathedral by way of Sr. Kathleen’s blog. I tried to place myself in each place. The art work at both places is beautiful. I think I could sit in each place and breathe deeply to pull in the Holy Spirit all around. Thank you so much for sharing this.
St. Genevieve church in Lafayette, LA has beautiful stained glass and art work. My husband and I get to mass early every week so that we can admire the stained glass. On some days the sun comes through various windows and the effect is very moving. Where we sit, sometimes the rays shine on the window next to us and we are bathed in the varied colors of light. It is moving.
Thank you Sr. Melannie for sharing your beautiful chapel with us. I especially liked the clay plaques in the entrance ~ so special and meaningful, and also the unique tabernacle with the narrow stained glass window behind it.
The Westminster Cathedral Cross brought back memories of a beautiful crucifix seen by my late husband and myself on a visit to Arizona. The Chapel of the Holy Cross is set into the red rocks in Sedona and the figure of Christ on the Cross is life sized. Behind the cross is a beautiful view of the surrounding natural area. Kneeling and praying in that chapel was a very special experience. Thank you for bringing back that memory.