Catholic Universe Bulletin

UB Teen

In Our Schools
St. Edward Chapel full of symbolism, artistry
Matthew Orgovan
The golden dome atop the cupola of the Holy Family Chapel at St. Edward High School symbolizes not only the school’s connection to the University of Notre Dame (both institutions are sponsored by the Holy Cross brothers and priests), it represents the mission of St. Edward as a faith institution dedicated to its families and the community.

WILLIAM RIETER
’s new chapel where students are able to celebrate their faith.

What began 12 years ago as an integral part of the school’s master plan, a new chapel at St. Ed’s became a main component in a series of physical improvements that have “reshaped” this all-boys school in Lakewood. “When we began our ‘Generation of Eagles’ Capital Campaign in 1998, our goal was to raise funds to accomplish this master plan,” reflected Principal Eugene Boyer. “The plan included both facility and program upgrades, and when our benefactors began designating gifts to components of the plan, many went toward a pre-engineering center and a new chapel.”

When school officials looked at property sites for both, they chose a symbolic one—the former residence of the Holy Cross brothers and priests who nurtured St. Ed’s into what it has become today. “After extensive research, we determined that both would be housed in the same new building—faith and reason sitting side-by-side,” said Boyer.
The chapel, dedicated on September 29, 2008, is 2,171 square-feet. John Goers, director of physical plant and grounds for St. Edward, managed the day-to-day coordination of the construction. “We had a very supportive design team that met every week to ensure the project’s success,” said Goers, a 1978 St. Edward graduate.
The architecture and artistry of the 250-person chapel is both modern and traditional, with a masculine feel. Wood paneling and neutral wallpaper make up the side and back walls. Limestone walls flank both the left and right side of the altar; the left wall engraved with the seal of St. Edward High School, and the right wall engraved with the seal of the congregation of Holy Cross. Another feature is the chapel’s technology, comprised of a state-of-the-art sound system, powerful projector and drop-down screen.
Unfortunately, numerous trees had to be removed so that the structure could be built. However, a valuable pin oak, along with other trees planted by the Brothers of Holy Cross in 1949, were set aside for symbolic and sentimental purposes—the chapel’s cross and altar tops were made from them. Jerry McKenna, a 1956 St. Ed graduate and notable sculptor, created the corpus that lies on top of the hanging cross.
Other than the golden dome, the chapel’s most recognizable feature is the glass window structure that can be seen from the front of the building and sits behind the altar. Designed by St. Edward graduate Marc Konys, it features 607 hand-blown “drops” of glass, situated between two panes of glass. Different colors can be seen within the drops, depending on how the sunlight hits them. Symbolism and artistry entwine themselves in this remarkable structure. “Some people believe that the grace of God is showering down on us and some think the drops represent Jesus’ blood. Every individual has his or her own interpretation of what the drops mean,” said Goers.
Orgovan is a freelance writer.

Student Profile
Aemilee ziganti, St. Anselm School, Chesterland
For Aemilee Ziganti, being a great student is just part of who she is.
The eighth grader at St. Anselm School has been selected as the Student of the Year by the Ohio Middle School Conference. She was honored at the Ohio Middle Level Association convention in Columbus this week. The award is presented each year to one male and one female student and is intended to recognize young people who exemplify those who are making a positive contributions to both the school and the community.
Eighth grade teacher John Koenig describes Aemilee as “an exceptional student who pushes herself and others to succeed. In the classroom, Aemilee is focused, willing to help others who have questions, and a hard worker.”
This is Aemilee’s second year in the school’s elective geometry class--the class is held during lunch recess and is in addition to her regular algebra class.
Aemilee also participates in the school’s Journey enrichment program and is a student ambassador, helping out at most school activities and giving tours to prospective students and their parents.
She also feels it’s important to be active in her faith, volunteering as an altar server, singing at school Masses as well as Sunday Mass. She also works exceptionally well with her kindergarten prayer partner.
Aemilee helped to create St. Anselm’s Good Samaritan Award, which each month recognizes a different that is making a difference in his or her community. She also served on the ecology team and the caring committee, making cards for the homebound and collecting money for those in need.
She is a girl scout and plays soccer as well. Aemilee was one of two students who represented St. Anselm at the regional Power of the Pen tournament last year. In October, she and three other students won the STEM (Science, Technology, Education and Math) Day competition at Regina High School.

School Notes
Students in fourth through eighth grade at Assumption Academy, Broadview Heights, were the recipients of the Young Audiences Arts for Learning grant which allowed students to participate in the clay tile mural residency, which enabled students to create a clay tile mural at the school. Their mural, called “Serving God by Serving Others,” depicts a diverse population of children serving the community. The mural was blessed during Catholic schools week.

Service is also the theme at Holy Cross School, Euclid, where students have participated in several projects including a classroom recycling program, raising money for Heifer International, and collecting money for the Cleveland Diocese disability ministries. Students also hosted a Help for Haiti where they contributed a donation to wear a hat all day at school.

Several students at St. Peter Chanel High School will be participating in the People to People student ambassador program this summer which enables students to experience different cultures. The trip will include stops in France, Italy, Austria and Switzerland and they will visit Vatican City, Notre Dame and a concentration camp.
At Holy Trinity School, Avon, students are gearing up for their first-ever 5K race to benefit the school, parish and CYO sports programs. As part of the project, students were able to participate in creating the logo for the race and gave them the opportunity to see how fundraisers are conducted behind the scenes and to develop new skills in design, presentations and team work.