TABLE OF CONTENTS 2
LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
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LOOKING BACK: THE CAMPAIGN
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BUILDING A HOUSE OF GOD
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GUIDE TO THE CHAPEL 7 THE FORM & LIGHT 9 STAINED GLASS 11 STATIONS OF THE CROSS 13 CORPUS OF CHRIST 15 STATUES 17 RELICS IN THE ALTER
19 FINAL NOTE
Dear Friends, I hope you enjoy this book which explains and depicts the beauty and inspiration of the Coppola Family St. Joseph Chapel. Selecting St. Joseph as the name and patron of the chapel extends the legacy of St. Joseph Academy and recognizes the work of the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary who founded the Academy in 1884. Thousands of students over the years at Dowling and St. Joseph Academy found solace, joy and peace on their faith journey inside the walls of their respective chapels. The Coppola Family St. Joseph Chapel extends that support for current and future students on their faith journey. The chapel was the final project of the ambitious We Believe capital campaign that started in 2007 and ended in 2015. The campaign included additions and updates to the entire building and campus. The reason for the campaign was to create a space and environment where together we could achieve our vision of being the best at preparing Christ-Centered Leaders for Life. The chapel fulfilled that vision by providing an inspiring space to support the spiritual formation and faith journey of our students. The process included the work of many sharing their time, talent and treasures. Or hope is that the story behind the design of the new chapel will instruct and inspire readers about the history and significance of this space that represents the very soul and purpose of Dowling Catholic High School. It is with deepest gratitude that we thank Bishop Pates, the Coppola family, the thousands of donors from the Des Moines Diocese and the Dowling Catholic community, the effort of dedicated volunteers, and the many hands of architects and laborers whose work made this dream a reality. The chapel will stand as a sign that Christ resides on our campus, lives in our hearts, and guides our work. With gratitude,
Dr. Jerry M. Deegan President
LOOKING BACK: THE CAMPAIGN The construction of the chapel was the culminating project of the comprehensive We Believe Capital Campaign, which resulted in nearly 30 million dollars in campus renovations from 2007-2015. The campaign steered towards the chapel in the fall of 2011, when Dr. Jerry Deegan, President of Dowling Catholic, conducted focus group meetings with students and staff on their desired layout and overall hopes for the sacred space. This feedback was discussed with the liturgical committee who worked over the next two years to refine the design and scope of the project. Originally, the chapel was to be added to the north end of the building, the likely spot for expansion. However, a major idea was brought forth to position the chapel in the “circle drive,” the familiar main entrance on campus at the time. This strategic move allowed the school to accomplish two campaign projects in one – a new chapel and a new school entrance. More so, the St. Joseph Chapel would now be the focal point upon entering campus and could serve as the beacon for the school’s mission of preparing Leaders for Life, Centered on Christ. As the chapel concept began taking shape, Dr. Jerry Deegan and Ryan Osborn, Campaign Director, began soliciting feedback and support from
key lead donors in the summer of 2012. By January of 2013, it was clear there was excitement for the new chapel as $2.3 million was donated by 400 donors. This hopeful start was due in large part to the generosity and advocacy of the Dowling Catholic Foundation Board. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on April 29, 2014, with the entire student body. Then, just after school started in September 2014, enthusiasm peaked when three brothers decided to donate one million dollars to the chapel. Long time benefactors Arthur (Kate Freylack ’84) Coppola ’68, Edward (Nancy) Coppola ’72 and Michael (Julie) Coppola ’74, made the donation in honor of their parents and the intellectual and spiritual formation they received at Dowling Catholic. In total, over 1,000 alumni, parents, faculty, staff, friends and students contributed to fund the new chapel and school entrance. A donor wall is displayed in the southwest corner of the narthex which gives special recognition to major donors of the historic addition. The community’s generosity is the reason the St. Joseph Chapel exists today…it is that generosity that will impact the faith journey of generations.
BUILDING A HOUSE OF GOD The principles of welcoming, inspiring and transforming guided the work of the liturgical committee, architects and laborers of the St. Joseph Chapel. Their expertise and meticulous commitment fashioned modern lines and functionality within a timeless and sacred structure.
MAP OF THE CHAPEL
THE LITURGICAL COMMITTEE The Most Reverend Richard E. Pates, Bishop of Des Moines Dr. Jerry Deegan, President Rudy Marcinko, Project Manager Br. William Woeger, FSC, Liturgical Consultant Fr. Zach Kautzky, Chaplain Fr. Mark Neal, Canonical Administrator Fr. John Bertogli, St. Ambrose Cathedral Kyle Lechtenberg, Diocese of Des Moines
THE ARCHITECT: RDG PLANNING & DESIGN Phil Hodgin, Principal Randy Milbrath, Partner Nate Adams, Architect James Britt, Architect
KEY THE GENERAL CONTRACTOR: GRAHAM CONSTRUCTION George Milligan, Graham Group President Steve Hauschilt, Graham Construction President Jason Wegner, Project Manager
THE FORM
Noah’s Ark, in classical Hebrew: Teyvat Noah, is a large vessel appearing in the Book of Genesis, chapters 6–9 as well as in the Muslim holy book, the Quran. This narrative describe the construction of the ark by the Patriarch Noah at God’s command to save himself, his family, and the world’s animals from the worldwide deluge of the Great Flood. In Christian culture, the ark has long been seen as the spiritual precursor of the Church, offering salvation to mankind. The architectural form of the St. Joseph Chapel is clearly suggestive of a ship. The chapel’s shape is meant to convey the notion that Dowling Catholic and the spiritual and academic programs it provides, offers safe passage from adolescence into young adulthood. Furthermore, Dowling Catholic provides an opportunity for its students to come to know and appreciate the salvation offered in Jesus Christ and his Church. Formed in faith, truth and wisdom, Dowling Catholic students are prepared to enter the world with a sense of mission rooted in that of Jesus Christ, Priest, Prophet and King. This mission is boldly proclaimed by the cross which surmounts the lantern atop the chapel, the lantern itself serving as a beacon of Christ to all who pass by the school. In short, the chapel is meant to suggest that Dowling Catholic is an ark, enabling its students to navigate the sometimes tempestuous seas of life, eventually being “in the world, but not a part of it.”
THE METAPHOR OF LIGHT The exterior form of the chapel is designed to shape natural light into a metaphor for the luminous presence of God. Openings in the building are intended to allow light to enter the interior as well as shine forth from within at night. Much of the light enters the structure indirectly. Light in the ceiling introduces a halo effect. Light through the stained glass windows adds to the inspirational environment. Directly over the altar, an exterior lantern open to the sky gives the sanctuary the highest light level in the room. The overall impression created by light in the chapel is one of sacred space, permeated by the mysterious presence of God.
STAINED GLASS Three of the fourteen saint windows found in the Narthex (left), St. Kateri Tekakwitha, St. Rose of Lima and St. Gianna were commissioned by Lambrecht Glass Studios of Omaha, NE in 2015 for the opening of the new chapel. The other eleven windows are from the all-boys Dowling High School Chapel. These windows were carried over to the co-ed high school chapel in 1972 and then restored in 2015. The Wall of Saints beautifully draws the eye and illuminates the Narthex as the westward sun sets over campus. Brother William Woeger, FSC, Liturgical Consultant describes the symbolic rationale behind the chapel windows. “The design for the Dowling High School Chapel windows generated lively conversations around the needs of the students and the mission of Dowling Catholic. In the end, it was decided that the windows would express the principal areas of study contained in the curriculum as well as some of the extra-curricular activities provided by the school. In addition, each window would include an image of a saint whose patronage is associated with the theme of that particular window. The central message of the chapel windows affirms that the work of salvation is centered in genuine, human activity and is informed by the Holy Spirit. All knowledge (beauty, truth, goodness) leads us to the Divine.�
Because the overall chapel design is inspired by a Mid-Century aesthetic, the window design follows suit. Lambrecht Glass was also selected to design and execute the chapel windows according to the direction set by the committee.
SOUTH WALL
SCIENCE
St. Albert the Great
ARTS
St. Cecelia
THEOLOGY
St. Thomas Aquinas
EVANGELIZATION The Gospel Writers
COMMUNICATION St. Hildegard
VOCATIONS
St. John Paul II
SCIENCE Each of the chapel window themes is indicated with a graphic text near the bottom of the composition. The Science Window features Saint Albert the Great. There quotes from Galileo and DNA strands run through the design.
FINE AR TS This window carries the image of Saint Cecilia, Patroness of Music. In addition, dance, painting and drama are represented.
THEOLOGY Saint Thomas Aquinas is the central figure in this window. The upper portion expresses the idea that theology leads to worship and awe, as expressed by the smoking censor.
EVANGELIZATION Christ seated in glory is the primary figure in the Evangelization Window. He is surrounded by the four creatures representing the Gospel writers, Mathew, Mark, Luke and John. The top portion of the window features a lighted candle and the admonition to “make disciples of all nations.”
COMMUNICATION Saint Hildegard of Bingen was chosen to represent communication because of her prolific writings on a wide ranging number of topics. Listening, dialogue, understanding and appreciation are presented as key aspects of effective communication. VOCATION The Vocation Window features Saint John Paul II and his “universal call to holiness.” Consecrated life, Marriage and Holy Orders are represented by various symbols.
NORTH WALL
SOLIDARITY
Blessed Mother Theresa
TEAMWORK St. Sebastian
COMMUNION
Presence of Christ
FORMATION
St. John Baptist de la Salle
MATH
St. Hubert
TECHNOLOGY St. Clare
SOLIDARITY No one in the 20th Century better represents solidarity with the poor of the world than Mother Teresa. Her famous words, “Do something beautiful for God,” are found beneath a globe encircled by joined hands. Dowling students have a specified commitment to service throughout the four years of their education.
TEAMWORK Sports activity and fitness are represented in this window by Saint Sebastian, an early Roman soldier martyred for the Faith. In addition to caring for one’s body, working together toward accomplishing a goal is the message carried by this window.
FORMATION This window is dedicated to the teachers of Dowling Catholic High School. The central figure is Saint John Baptist de LaSalle, founder of the Brothers of the Christian Schools and Universal Patron of Teachers. The Dowling coat of arms and that of Saint Joseph Academy are represented. Included is the scripture passage, “Those who instruct others unto justice shall shine like stars.”
COMMUNION Once again, Christ is the center of this window holding the Consecrated Host, the Sacrament of Unity. The motto of Saint Pius X appears the top of the composition, “To restore all things in Christ.”
MATHEMATICS Saint Hubert is the Patron of Mathematicians. He is presented in his hunter’s attire along with his particular symbolic attributes. The window includes mathematical symbols and the formula for PI r².
TECHNOLOGY Saint Clare of Assisi has long been the Patron of Television because of a telepathic experience she described to her nuns. She is a fitting image of the advances in technology and the advent of multi-media.
STATIONS OF THE CROSS All of the chapel furnishings, including the stations, were a collaborative design effort between Brother William Woeger, FSC and Dave Fitzpatrick of Wood Specialties, Inc of Omaha , NE. The custom bronze stations are made of four pieces: a black wall anchor panel, an ebonized finish back plate, an applied cross, a satin nickel Roman numeral and a custom bronze plate depicting the particular station. The Stations of the Cross began as the practice of pious pilgrims to Jerusalem who would retrace the final journey of Jesus Christ to Calvary. Later, for the many who wanted to pass along the same route, but could not make the trip to Jerusalem, a practice developed that eventually took the form of the fourteen stations currently found in almost every church and chapel.
CORPUS OF CHRIST
Christ’s body on the cross represents two main themes of Christianity: death and resurrection. The dark color of the cross, an instrument of death and torture, is juxtaposed with the light corpus, prefiguring the resurrection and victory over death.
STATUES
MADONNA & CHILD, ST. JOSEPH The Corpus and two statues were all hand- carved in the foothills of northern Italy in the town of Ortisei by Ferdinand Stuflesser. In Beuron Style, the Corpus, Madonna with Child and St. Joseph were all carved in Lindenwood with a white wash finish over natural wood. The Virgin Mary is to the left of the altar, depicted as Madonna with Child. St. Joseph, to the right of the altar, is depicted with his carpenter tools and with a church near his right leg, symbolizing he is the patron and protector of the Church.
RELICS IN THE ALTAR
St. John Paul II and St. John XXIII In his canonization homily on Divine Mercy Sunday, April 27, 2014, Pope Francis said they were “men of courage” who bore witness to God’s mercy. “They were priests, bishops and popes of the 20th century,” he said. “They lived through the tragic events of that century, but they were not overwhelmed by them. For them, God was more powerful, faith was more powerful.” The two saints were canonized just days before the ground-breaking of the St. Joseph chapel. The relic of St. John XXIII (1881-1963) is a piece of his white zucchetto (skull cap) Known as Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli before he became pope -- was one of 13 children born into a family of Italian peasants, farmers from a tiny village in the country’s north. He was sent away to study for the priesthood at age 11. The landmark Second Vatican Council called by John XXIII was of great service to the church. That council helped to bring the church to the people, for example by allowing languages other than Latin to be used for Mass. The relic of St. John Paul II (1920-2005), is a piece of his white papal cassock John Paul II (1920-2005), born Karol Jozef Wojtyla, was brought up in an industrial town in Poland and raised by his soldier father after his mother died when he was just eight years old. He spent his formative years living under first Nazis, then Communists. John Paul II, who served for nearly 27 years, is seen as the “pope of the family.” St. John Paul II visited Des Moines in October 1979. His seminal work, the “Theology of the Body” is taught as a course at Dowling Catholic High School. Providentially, Fr. Zach Kautzky, chaplain and Ryan Osborn, chapel campaign director, both were blessed to be present at significant moments connected to St. John Paul II. Osborn was living in Rome during his passing in 2005 and Fr. Kautzky was in attendance at his 2014 canonization mass and was one of the first to pray at the tomb of the saint.
FINAL NOTE On May 9, 2015 the Dowling Catholic community celebrated the Rite of Blessing Mass of the St. Joseph Chapel. Dr. Jerry Deegan opened with comments on how the chapel name came to be saying, “it was important to select St. Joseph as the name and patron of the chapel to extend the legacy and traditions of St. Joseph Academy and recognize the marvelous work of the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary who founded the academy in 1884.” Sr. Mira Mosle, who taught at St. Joseph Academy/ Dowling from 1967–79, represented the BVMs at the Rite of Blessing. Following the opening remarks, The Most Reverend Richard E. Pates, Bishop of Des Moines, celebrated the customary Mass, blessing the new chapel with Holy Water and Sacred Chrism. Dowling Catholic students were well represented in the Presentation of the Gifts and the vocal musicians. Additionally, the Dowling Catholic brass choir captivated those in attendance performing a piece composed by Dowling Catholic alumnus Conner Tipping, Grandis Templem Sancti Joseph. The ending chant of Tippings’s composition was the 14 notes of the melody, “Terribilis est locus iste” meaning “magnificent is this place!”