Saint Mary’s Student Chapel
A S a c r e d S p a c e f o r Wo r s h i p a n d R e f l e c t i o n
The Saint Mary’s Student Chapel, dedicated to Mary, Mother of the Lord, will be a focal point for visitors entering the campus from Albina Avenue. The striking design includes floor-to-ceiling windows to capitalize on natural lighting.
SINCE DE LA SALLE HALL WAS RAISED MORE than 40 years ago, Saint Mary’s has made use of classrooms, the auditorium, and other campus spaces for liturgies and prayer services. Now, thanks to generous gifts by alumni and friends, plans are underway to break ground this Summer for the Saint Mary’s Student Chapel, in memory of Rémond Sabatté ’41.
“The Chapel affords us an extraordinary opportunity to affirm the faith and religious foundation on which Saint Mary’s is built,” says President Brother Edmond. “It will be a sacred space for the community to come together for worship and celebration.” The chapel will be set on the tree-lined hillside adjacent to the Brothers’ residence and Saint Joseph’s >> Continued on Page 2
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Daily Mass will be offered at the Chapel for the Brothers and members of the Saint Mary’s community. The 4400 square-foot sanctuary will also be used for alumni and memorial Masses, as well as for worship and prayer services for students, faculty, and staff.
Hall and will be a focal point as students, staff, and visitors enter the campus from the main entrance on Albina Avenue. The distinctive design reflects the input and desires of students and staff who participated in early focus groups with the project architect. It will include large windows to make best use of natural lighting, an outdoor space with trees and a reflecting pool for quiet meditation, and a grotto that will feature a statue of the Blessed Mother. In approving the final plans for the project, an Albany planning commissioner remarked that the chapel will be “the most beautiful building in Albany.” At 4400 square feet, the Chapel will be able to accommodate 200 people, large
enough for an entire class to participate in a liturgy service. It will be used for daily Mass for the Brothers and members of the school community, as well as for alumni or small-group liturgies, memorials, and prayer services. As important, the Chapel will provide students and adults on campus with a sacred space for quiet prayer and reflection. It will remain open throughout the school day. “This will be a special place where students can go to be alone with their thoughts, away from the busyness of school and the stress that can go along with balancing academics, relationships, sports, and other activities,” says Brother Edmond. To date, members of the Saint Mary’s com-
munity have donated $5.1 million toward the projected $6.7 million project. “It is clear that the current donors to Saint Mary’s Student Chapel are passionate about caring for the spiritual and religious needs of our students,” says Peter Boero ’64, director of major gifts. There are numerous naming opportunities available for those interested in supporting the Chapel, including pews, outdoor benches, statues, and panels by French artist Jean-Marie Pirot depicting significant moments in the life of Mary, which will line the walls of the Chapel. Current plans call for breaking ground as soon as the school year ends in June, with a completion date of Summer 2017.
The light-filled Chapel will provide a sacred space for quiet prayer and reflection, away from the busyness of campus life. 2
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Alum Devoted Time and Treasure to Catholic Causes IT IS FITTING THAT THE SAINT MARY’S Student Chapel is being named in memory of Rémond Sabatté ’41, a faith-filled Bay Area native who lived a life devoted to service to the Catholic Church. Born and raised in Oakland, Rémond was the son of John and Mary Sabatté, who started South Berkeley Creamery, later renamed Berkeley Farms, in 1910. Rémond was a well-respected Catholic lay leader, active in both the Oakland Diocese, as well as nationally and internationally through the Knights of Malta. He served as both chancellor and president of the organization’s Western Association and participated in numerous pilgrimages during his tenure. In 1982, Rémond helped to found the Knights of Malta Free Clinic for the Poor at what was then Providence
In Memory of Jim Ryan ’44 Pat Mooser, longtime supporter of Saint Mary’s College High School, gave the initial donation in support of the Chapel project. Mooser was inspired to jump-start the project in memory of her brother, Jim Ryan ’44. “Saint Mary’s was always good to Jim,” says Mooser, who has also established an endowed scholarship fund in Ryan’s memory.
Hospital in Oakland. In recognition of his longstanding support for the Oakland Diocese, the late Bishop Floyd Begin honored Rémond with a Medal of Merit. Rémond was a longtime supporter of both Saint Mary’s High School and Saint Mary’s College, which he attended for two years before it closed briefly during World War II. He was one of the inaugural members of the high school’s Board of Regents and was a longtime Regent of Saint Mary’s College, which awarded him the Signum Fidei Medal in 1959. Led by George Sabatté ’55 and Jack Sabatté ’57, several of Rémond’s nieces and nephews have contributed to the project in memory of their cherished uncle, including Gary ’60, Christine, Emily, Suzanne, and Jeanette.
In Memory of Mary Rachel Curley Brother V. Kenneth, FSC, longtime Saint Mary’s teacher and administrator, was inspired to contribute to the Chapel project in memory of his mother, Mary Curley, who died in January. “My mother visited campus on a few occasions and loved it here,” recalls Brother Kenneth, who left Saint Mary’s and returned home to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania in 2010 to care for his aging mother. “When she passed away I wanted to have her memorialized in some tangible way,” he adds. “My mother Mary was so faithful to Jesus’ mother Mary that a donation in her name to the Chapel seemed the finest remembrance I could give her.”
In Memory of Leo Englert ’33 Chapel Naming Opportunities Pews Altar Outdoor benches Ambo Grotto & Statue Tabernacle Founder Statue Outdoor Benches Blessed Mother Mural Panels
When Patricia Englert first heard of plans for the Saint Mary’s Student Chapel, she knew she had to be part of the project. Patricia contributed to the Chapel fund in memory of her late husband, Leo Englert ’33, who throughout his life displayed great devotion to the Blessed Mother. Pat’s daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Jim MacDonald, have also contributed to the Chapel in Leo’s memory. “Leo always said that his four years at Saint Mary’s stayed with him his entire life,” recalls Pat.
Contact Peter Boero ’64 at 510-559-6224 or pboero@stmchs.org. GOOD NEWS FROM PERALTA PARK
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Join Us! Support the spiritual and religious needs of our students by investing in Saint Mary’s Student Chapel. For additional information regarding the Student Chapel and how to contribute, contact Peter Boero ’64 at 510-559-6224 or pboero@stmchs.org.
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