Bishop Joseph M. Siegel pours sacred Chrism on the corner of the altar during the anointing of the altar in the Chapel of St. Joseph at Reitz Memorial High School. The Message photo by John Rohlf
By John Rohlf
The Message assistant editor
Months after renovation began to the chapel at Reitz Memorial High School in Evansville, Bishop Joseph M. Siegel dedicated the altar and blessed the Oratory of St. Joseph.
The dedication and blessing was held Nov. 19 during Mass, which was celebrated by Bishop Siegel. Construction of the Chapel of St. Joseph began in late April.
“At Reitz Memorial High School, this newly renovated St. Joseph’s chapel stands as a beacon of faith, hope and love, serving as the spiritual heart of our school community” Reitz Memorial President Josh Reising said. “This sacred space invites students and faculty and staff to encounter Christ in the Eucharist, find solace in prayer and deepen their relationship with God.”
The chapel was renovated due to the gift from J.P. and Allison Engelbrecht. Reising said the school is “profoundly grateful to J.P. and the Engelbrecht family.” Reising said their generosity has ensured the St. Joseph Chapel will “remain a sanctuary of grace” where generations of Reitz Memorial students will grow in their faith and carry the light of Christ into the world.
“This is what we’re supposed to do when we’re successful, right,” J.P. Engelbrecht said. “Give back to the places that have formed us. Our Catholic faith is the thing that we cherish. And it’s an honor to be here with my family to do this.”
Engelbrecht is a 1998 graduate of Reitz Memorial High School. He currently serves as CEO at South Central, Inc., a family office and holding company established in 1946.
Bishop Joseph M. Siegel in his homily during the Mass said through their worship in the St. Joseph Chapel, the Lord will bless and inspire the students, faculty, staff and whoever comes to the chapel to lead them on their pilgrim way to heaven. As a symbol of Christ in their midst, the altar will serve as the heart and soul of the chapel. It was consecrated at the Mass as a place in which the Holy Mass will be offered. The altar will become a living sign of Christ himself, Bishop Siegel said.
Having received the Bread of Life on the altar, students, faculty and staff will be sent forth as witnesses of Christ to live their faith more profoundly in school, at home and in the community, Bishop Siegel said. After the homily, they called upon Mary the Mother of God, St. Joseph and all God’s angels and saints to fill the church with their unseen presence as they dedicated the altar for God’s worship.
Bishop Siegel noted there are others with us in spirit who have gone before us to the Lord marked with the sign of faith, especially students, faculty and staff who walked the halls of Reitz Memorial High School for the past 100 years. Bishop Siegel trusted they will intercede with God for those who continue to study, work and pray in the building and especially in the chapel.
Bishop Siegel expressed deep gratitude to all those who designed and constructed the chapel. He noted the chapel will have a powerful patron in St. Joseph, who is the patron of Reitz Memorial High School. He asked all to take the dedication liturgies as an opportunity to personally recommit ourselves to our Baptismal promises, allowing ourselves to be those living stones in which the Lord Jesus builds the altar of the church.
At the beginning of Mass, Bishop Siegel blessed the chapel. After the Creed, Bishop Siegel placed a relic of St. Andre Bessette into the base of the altar, signifying “that the sacrifice of the members has drawn its origin from the Sacrifice of the Head.”
Bishop Siegel then prayed the Prayer of Dedication, with which the intention of dedicating the altar to the Lord for all time is signified and his blessing is implored. After the Prayer of Dedication, Bishop Siegel anointed the altar by pouring sacred chrism on the middle of the altar and on each of its four corners, and anointed the entire table with it.
There was then the Incensation of the Altar. A brazier for burning incense was placed on the altar, signifying the sacrifice of Christ, which is there perpetuated in mystery, ascends to God as an odor of sweetness. Bishop Siegel then incensed the altar before Reitz Memorial Priest Delegate Father Chris Forler incensed those in attendance. After the Incensation of the Altar, the Covering and Lighting of the Altar occurred.
Renovation is complete to the Chapel of St. Joseph at Reitz Memorial High School. The Message photo by John Rohlf