St. Paul, who helped lay the foundation of faith for Christianity, and Catholic education, which continues that Christ-centered mission, were celebrated Sept. 24 at St. John the Apostle Church in North Richland Hills.
During a morning Mass, attended by students from the parish school, Fort Worth Bishop Kevin Vann dedicated a new stained-glass window installed in the sanctuary six months ago to honor the Apostle to the Gentiles. Created by H. Carl Trimble, III, of Trimble Studios in Dallas, the vibrant glass panel depicts the conversion of St. Paul on the road to Damascus. It replaces an image of Judas with a bag of coins and noose which was original to the church. The decision to make the change comes on the heels of the Jubilee Year of St. Paul observed from June 2008 to June 2009 to commemorate the bi-millennium of the saint’s birth.
Bishop Kevin Vann blesses the new stained-glass window of St. Paul located in the St. John church building.
“St. Paul teaches us about salvation, grace, and having a strong relationship with the Lord,” Bishop Vann told the assembly of students and parishioners. “It’s fitting and wonderful that you now have a window of St. Paul in your church, so the light of God will come through him and light your lives with grace.”
St. John’s pastor, Father Karl Schilken called the new window, “beautiful” and said the craftsmanship outshines its predecessor.
The window depicts the conversion of St. Paul as he is knocked off his horse on the road to Damascus.
“The Judas window was leading to confusion,” he added. “Most people like the change.”
The liturgy was followed by the dedication and blessing of the school’s new classroom building. Standing outside the 6,585-square-foot addition, the students watched as the bishop offered prayers and sprinkled holy water on the brick edifice. The leader of the diocese petitioned God to let the new classrooms serve as a place where youngsters hear the Gospel message.
“We also ask that the students find in their teachers the image of Christ, so enriched by both human and divine learning, they will be able to enlighten and assist others,” he prayed, before entering the building to bless individual classrooms.
The new building replaces two portable units that have been part of St. John’s campus since the school opened in 1965. Designed by Southwest Architects, Inc., the addition houses six classrooms for students in kindergarten through second grade and cost about $772,000. Each homeroom has its own restroom, water fountain, and built-in Internet access.
Geraldine Syler, the school’s new principal, says the permanent structure and its spacious, cheerful interior should help attract new students to the school.
“It’s very hard when you have an old building to recruit against brand new schools,” the principal said, explaining the positive results generated by the construction project. “And it’s just a beautiful place for the children to learn and grow.”
Honored as a Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education in 2008, St. John has a school population of 301 from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. Work crews began working on the project last March and completed construction just before classes began in August.
“This is the only closed hallway in the school,” Syler said, pointing out the structure’s distinctive feature. “The rest of our classrooms open to the exterior. It’s nice to walk in here and hear the different activities going on.”
Bishop Kevin Vann blesses a classroom in the school's new classroom building as St. John students watch.
Deeply committed to Catholic school ministry for many years, St. John Parish can look at its latest achievement with pride, said diocesan School Superintendent Don Miller.
“The youngest children will use the building, and that’s a wonderful environment to begin their years in Catholic school,” he continued.
Parishioner Mary Ann Phipps, who has a daughter, Sarah, in the fourth grade, said the school community is pleased with the improvements.
“The building is beautiful and the classrooms large and accommodating,” she added. “This is a special day for the kids.”
Following the dedication ceremony, the school children were treated to lemonade and a cookie in the school cafeteria.
According to Fr. Schilken, parishioners greeted the improvements to the church and school with enthusiasm.
“It’s definitely a mood lifter,” the pastor explained. “In these tough times, people need something good to happen. I think they’re encouraged.”
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