First Christmas at the Chapel

The Chapel of Saints Peter and Paul celebrates the birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ for the first time, December 25, 2011. We pray for God's special blessings for all who helped to make this beautiful Chapel a reality.

Finishing Touches

Photos of crosses and statues installed on the exterior of the Chapel of Saints Peter and Paul

Outdoor Crosses and Statues

Workers are installing the Crosses and Statues for the exterior of the Chapel of Saints Peter and Paul.

I hope to post pictures soon.

Remember to walk these last days of Advent in prayer as the business of the season tempts us to run instead!!!!!!

Scenes from a Dedication

Finally some photos from the dedication on December 8, 2011

Coming Soon........Selected Pictures from the Dedication Mass

The Symbolism in the Main Altar Stained Glass

The Meaning of the Stained Glass Window behind the Altar at the Chapel of Saints Peter and Paul

As promised I wanted to share some of the background regarding the various symbols that you see in the stained glass depicting the risen Christ and the twelve apostles.

The Risen Christ- of course this image is self explanatory, the artistic idea was to bring together the full imagery of Christ Crucified, Christ on the Eucharistic Altar and Christ Risen and gloriously reigning

The Four Evangelical Figures- These winged figures come from the prophet Ezequiel and the Book of Revelation and have traditionally been associated with the Four Evangelists since at least the 5th century. The Man (Incarnation) represents Matthew traditionally because he begins his Gospel with the human genealogy of Christ, the Lion (Resurrection) represents Mark referring to John the Baptist the Lion in the Desert, the Ox (Passion) represents Luke and calls to mind Luke’s emphasis on the sacrifice of Christ and the Eagle (Ascension) represents John’s Gospel which sores to the heavens with its deeply theological themes.

The Chalice and Loaves of Bread- These images which hover directly over the tabernacle and altar clearly draw us to reflect on the Eucharistic Sacrifice which takes place at the altar at every mass.

The Apostles on either side of the Risen Christ- These chosen ones gather around the resurrected Lord as they gathered with Him at the Last Supper. Because the Chapel is dedicated to Peter and Paul the artists used some license in replacing the image of Judas Iscariot the betrayer with the image of Paul carrying his sword. Paul is traditionally depicted with a sword and a scroll both calling to mind the power of the Word of God.

Looking at the window from top left we begin with Bartholomew (also called Nathaniel) depicted with a knife or spear due to he manner of his death. Tradition says he was flayed alive. Next is Andrew who is represented with the X shaped cross because of the tradition that he died on a cross shaped like an X. Then we see Jude who is depicted with a flame over his head calling to mind his presence at Pentecost. Phillip is depicted holding a loaf of bread he is the apostle who answers Christ at the multiplication of the loaves. James the Younger is depicted with a saw because of the tradition that he was martyred by being thrown from the roof of the temple and his head was sawed off as an expression of hatred and persecution. Finally, at the bottom of the left window is Peter who is presented holding the keys to the kingdom which Christ gave him as the head of the Apostles.

At the top of the right hand window we have Thomas holding a spear because that is how he was martyred. He is also sometimes depicted with a carpenters square because he built the church in India. James the Elder holds a scallop shell symbolic of his great travels across the oceans of the world. Next is John who holds a cup with a serpent because tradition says someone attempted to murder him with poison in the communion cup. Simon is depicted with a fishermen’s net calling to mind the Gospel passage where he and the others are called to be fishers of men. Matthew is depicted with a money bag because he was called away from is tax collecting tables to follow Christ and then we find ourselves back with Paul and the two edged sword of the Word of God.

You may find other symbols and images used as well because there are many traditions concerning the twelve apostles. The artists chose to use the symbols describe above because they have strong roots in the history of the Church,

It is worth noting that the images refer to the ways the apostles lived the Gospel and often the way they died for the Gospel as well.

The next window to be installed in the Chapel will be over the main entry doors. It depicts the Supper of the Lamb which comes from the Apocalyptic Visions in the Book of Revelation.

The windows along the sides of the Chapel will be installed in the coming months and depict the Communion of Saints processing to the altar of the Lord through the ages.

The choir area includes windows depicting St. Cecelia and St. Gregory tradionally saints associated with music and in the side entry vestibule we will have the three Archangels, Michael. Raphael and Gabriel.

No Flash Photography at Dedication Mass

We are requesting that there be no flash photography at the Dedication Mass on December 8, at 7:00 PM. The professional photographer who will be taking the official pictures will be using digital eqipment and the flash interferes with the quality of these images.

Thanks for your understanding

A Few Pictures

Live Streaming of Chapel Dedication

As you know Bishop Alvaro Corrada will be presiding over the mass of dedication for the Chapel of Saints Peter and Paul on December 8, at 7:00 PM. All are welcome to attend but we certainly understand that for many it will not be possible.

Thanks to generous support from members of the Cathedral community we will be able to offer the ceremony streaming live over the Internet. If you are interested you can access the live feed at www.tkgorman.net.

God bless you and we hope you can join us at least virtually.

Drawing Near

December 8, is just around the corner. If you've ever moved into a new home and decided to have a house warming party on move in day then you have some idea of how we feel.

Lots of details still to be addressed but things are moving along well. It is exciting to see it all coming together.

Just a note for any who are planning to attend the dedication liturgy which is set to begin at 7:00 pm on December 8. The flow of the liturgy has everyone gathered outside the front doors as Bishop Corrada formally accepts the building from the architect and builders, then we all enter together and begin the liturgy during which the building becomes a sacred space consecrated for Divine Worship.

The main thing to note is that we will all be outside so "getting a good seat ahead of time" will not really be a practical option. We will certainly accommodate everyone who has difficulty walking or standing for an extended time as best we can. We just wouldn't want people to come two hours early thinking they could "get a good seat" that way.

Please don't let the above discourage you from coming. All are welcome and we want as many as possible to join in this beautiful historic moment for the Catholic community of Tyler. You won't regret being a part of the congregation to witness the "baptism" of this beautiful building as she becomes a House of God consecrated for His Worship and dedicated to His glory.

AD MAIOREM DEI GLORIAM

A Stroll Down Memory Lane

I can imagine that you are laughing because it had been so long between posts and now I'm posting more than once a day!! I suppose it simply is an illustration of the rapid pace of the final elements of the Chapel coming together as we approach December 8.

I invite you to visit the YouTube video of the original DVD we used to launch the campaign for the Chapel back in 2007.

The link is...............

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCHHKcUuXYk&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Feast of the Dedication of the Basilicas of Saints Peter and Paul- the first Stained Glass Window to be installed Glows Gloriously in Celebration

The first stained glass window is complete. Lynchburg Stained Glass did a wonderful job.

Next week the Baptismal Font is to be installed and the week after the statues and crosses for the exterior and interior of the Chapel.

It is all coming together thanks to wonderful donors and the support of so many in our community.

Today, November 18, is a special day for the Chapel because it is the Feast of the Dedication of the Basilicas of Saints Peter and Paul in Rome. The feast reminds us that places and things become sacred in our Catholic tradition because they are associated with gifts of God's grace and growth in faith. The numerous holy sites in Rome have inspired the faithful from the earliest days of the Church. Thanks to the generosity and hard work of so many the Chapel of Saints Peter and Paul has already been a "holy site" right here in Tyler. We look forward to the Chapel being a place of prayer and pilgrimage for many years to come.

Relics for the Altar

These relics will be sealed in the altar at Saints Peter and Paul as the altar is consecrated at the Liturgy on December 8. Since the earliest days of the Church the Liturgy of the Eucharist (the Mass) was celebrated in the presence of the remains of faithful disciples. Because of the persecutions in the early Church many of these "faithful disciples" were martyrs. We are blessed to continue the tradition as the altar of the Chapel of Saints Peter and Paul is consecrated with the special gift of relics for three who were martyred, Saints Peter and Paul and Saint Maria Goretti.

Relic of Maria Goretti
















Relic of Saints Peter and Paul
















Relic of Saint John Newman



























Relic of Saint Pius X, Pope























Relic of Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque




Watch for future posts sharing something of the lives of these Saints.

Habemus Stained Glass

Sorry for the slow posting. Although we haven't seen a lot of visible changes lately there has been a lot happening behind the scenes. These pictures of the Main Altar Stained Glass demonstrate just how busy our artisans have been. Enjoy and we look forward to seeing you on December 8, at 7:00 PM.

Chapel at Night and Crucifix

A local photographer has fallen in love with the Chapel and took these beautiful pictures of the Chapel at night and the newly installed crucifix over the altar.

Bishop Corrada has chosen December 8, at 7:00 PM for the Chapel Dedication Mass.

All are welcome but I have a feeling the Chapel will definitely not be big enough for her first mass!!!!!!! It will be a beautiful celebration of the marvels God's Grace and your generosity has accomplished so come if you can and be part of the crowd!!!!!!!!!

Then and Now

Was looking through the pictures of the Chapel's progress on my Blog and noticed that the one of the dirt work was taken on September 11, 2010. We've come a long way in a year.

We hope to set a dedication date soon and we will get the word out ASAP after a firm date is chosen.

Progress is Showing

Pews and ambo under construction



Altar to the left and Crucifix below

Another view of Altar and Ambo

As you can see the Chapel is coming together pews, altar, ambo and crucifix are being installed. We hope to set a Dedication Mass soon. Thanks for all your support.