CHAPEL 20 TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

Chapel Our Lady

20 T H ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION IS A BIG SUCCESS

250 turned out to fete Our Lady Chapel as it marked its second decade.

In the last two decades, Our Lady Chapel has stayed much the same as it was when philanthropist Fred Lennon first gifted it to Gilmour in 1995.

But in a most meaningful way, the chapel has changed: It has grown exponentially to encompass a devoted community of supporters, both on campus and off.

That’s why so many turned out to honor the chapel on its 20 th anniversary, including Cathey Lozick and John Lennon, the daughter and son of Fred Lennon.

“I was very pleased with the turnout,” said Fr. John Blazek, the only priest Our Lady Chapel has ever known. “It was wonderful. A lot of people commented to me that they were so glad we did it. It was a good opportunity to gather the community together.”

The celebration brought together people from the chapel’s past and present. Several former chapel musicians returned to perform, and current students produced a video about the history of the chapel. Bishop Gries, meanwhile, said Mass in the chapel, which was followed by a gourmet brunch buffet in the Athletic Center.

The event “made us stop and think about how the chapel is really at the center of our life at Gilmour,” Fr. John said. “The chapel has really become the heart of community gatherings here, and that became very clear in the celebration.”

Gilmour parent Ed Bartlett was on the planning committee for the celebration. Because the chapel is such a meaningful centerpiece on campus, being part of the celebration and helping to plan it over the last year felt especially gratifying, he said.

“The chapel was a truly significant addition to Gilmour,” he said. “It’s significant in the development of the school as well as the community. The transformation and growth of the school over time is inherent in the chapel. And the fact that the Holy Father gifted a Vatican treasure (originally called “Our Lady of Vladimir,” the name was changed by Pope John Paul II to “Our Lady of Gilmour”) to Our Lady Chapel signifies that it’s a special place – a truly holy space.”

In planning the 20 th anniversary celebration, organizers sought the active involvement of students on campus, from the Lower School through the Upper School. The committee sponsored a contest in which students could show through art or writing how the chapel affected them.

“The response was so overwhelming that we decided to have two prizes,” Bartlett said. “The greatest response was from the Lower School. It was great to see such a positive response overall, but especially from the younger students.” Gilmour parent Janet Heryak also was part of the planning committee, something she called an honor and a privilege. “I did not know the Lennon family, and it’s touched me to learn of their sacrifice and generosity,” she said. “It’s amazing how the chapel continues to touch people, people they don’t even know.”

The party was a grand tribute to the chapel’s devoted community of the last 20 years and those whose contributions made it a reality, Bartlett said. “The entire celebration was beautiful and poignant. It came off as well as we hoped. Everything we envisioned for it, it came to fruition.”

Great Celebration of Our Lady Chapel’s 20 th Anniversary

Friends of Our Lady Chapel gathered on Sunday, September 13 for the 20 th anniversary of its dedication. Bishop Roger Gries, O.S.B. and Fr. John Blazek ’58, C.S.C. celebrated the Mass together, honoring the history of the Chapel. The group then moved to the Athletic Center, where the festivities continued at a brunch.