HCC chapel erected

By Brad Everett Times Contributor

Holy Cross Collegiate’s student gathering space once known as “The Pit” has been transformed into the Crux Invicta (Unconquerable/Victorious Cross) Chapel, erected by Bishop William McGrattan of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Calgary on Feb. 3. 

“It’s very well done,” said Bishop McGrattan on the renovation of the space.

“It (the chapel) was long overdue,” said Holy Cross Collegiate (HCC) principal Lavern Evans. While most schools in the Christ the Redeemer School Division have chapels, HCC has been without one since it opened in 2004.

“The construction of the chapel this year fit in well with the ongoing renovations that have been taking place at HCC over the last couple of years,” said Evans. 

The chapel has a tabernacle to house the blessed sacrament, and will be open during the school day for students to pray and reflect. It will also provide a “home base” for Sacred Heart Parish priest, Father Tomy Manjaly, when he comes to the school.

“Before November’s COVID-19 restrictions, Father Tomy was coming by the school for a couple of hours every Thursday,” said Evans. “Hopefully that can resume when the restrictions relax.”

Sacred Heart Parish provided two icons for the chapel and a parishioner donated a 19C bronze image of the crucifixion from the Netherlands which hangs on the back wall of the chapel. Closed to the public due to health restrictions, it’s hoped that when things get back to normal the chapel will be available for Sacred Heart parishioners, who currently hold services in the HCC gym. 

While at the school on Wednesday, Bishop McGrattan served a mass for Grade 12 students. It was the first time a bishop had served a mass for students at the school. After the mass and blessing of the Crux Invicta Chapel, Bishop McGrattan took the opportunity to drop into a few classes at HCC.