Virtual Tour: Chapel of the Word of God

CHAPEL OF THE WORD OF GOD

Upon returning to the Gathering Space, turn your attention to the west end of the building. On entering through the main entrance, you may have noticed the curved wall that was to your right. This wall calls attention to itself, because it is the only curved line in the architectural space. It seems to invite you to follow the curve around. If you do so, you are drawn into the Chapel of the Word of God. As you enter, you find a smaller space with altar, lectern, cross, and candles, and seating for about 40 people.

From a practical standpoint, this space allows us to celebrate daily mass and provide a space for private, personal prayer and/or meditation without having to heat or cool the main worship space. Also, it is difficult to celebrate liturgy with a small group of people in a large worship space; the Chapel provides a more intimate setting for a small group of people. We have chosen the name, 'Word of God Chapel," and hope that it will invite all to give this very rich biblical theme some prayer, thought, and reflection. It is a way of reminding us that the presence of God in the Word is as real and as important as God's presence in the Eucharist. They are two dimensions of God's presence to us.

A 3-D view of the chapel is available. See it now! >>

WORD OF GOD WALL HANGING

On the wall behind the altar is the Word of God Wall Hanging. It attempts to remind us of the various biblical references to the Word of God and its development throughout the biblical tradition. The symbols were hand-applied by members of the parish. (A separate booklet explaining the various images in the hanging is available in the chapel.)

This Chapel has a much more intimate and cozy feeling. While it will be a place to celebrate daily mass, much more emphasis has been given to its role as a place for private prayer and meditation.

MARY

As you enter the Word of God Chapel, directly ahead of you is the statue of the Pregnant Madonna. We commissioned the artist specifically to design and make this statue of the Pregnant Madonna. As an image of what the Church should be, this presentation of Mary, "Pregnant with the Word of God", offers rich food for reflection.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS

On the back wall of the Chapel, you will find the Stations of the Cross. In keeping with the idea that private devotion is not the purpose of the main worship space, the Stations were designed for and placed in the Chapel. These were designed in ceramic mosaic. If you take time to study the Stations, you will notice that they differ from the traditional sequence of the Stations. In 1991 Pope John Paul II offered a revised sequence. The number of Stations remains the same, but Pope John Paul eliminated those scenes which had no biblical basis and substituted scenes which do have a biblical basis.