There’s a palpable and lively spirit at West Catholic as laughter and energy fill the halls. But beyond one set of doors, you will find a still and silent peace that surpasses all understanding—a place of refreshment in the true presence of our Lord. The holy ground of our own St. John Paul II Adoration Chapel provides a prayerful atmosphere for students, staff, and visitors, and now this special place of worship is home to several newly donated relics. West Catholic graduate and school board member Fr. Tom Simons ’68 generously donated the following relics, which he and Campus Ministry Director Josh Kohane installed in the chapel in September. 

• A zucchetto worn by St. John Paul II, our school patron and the namesake of our adoration chapel.
• Wood from the original coffin of Blessed Teresa of Jesus Gerhardinger, foundress of the School Sisters of Notre Dame, the order which served at West Catholic from its founding. She was beatified by Pope St. John Paul II in 1985.
• The relics of three Carmelite saints: St. Simon Stock, St. Terese of the Child Jesus, and St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein)

“I’d like to express gratitude on behalf of all who use our St. John Paul II Chapel to those who have donated relics to the chapel,” said school chaplain Fr. David Sacha. “Relics are pieces of a saint’s body (first class) or something that they used (second class) or touched to them (third class). They are venerated in the Church because our bodies and the things we use are made holy by their participation in Christ’s mission here on Earth. For example, in the Bible, God commanded Moses to do great things with his staff (Ex. 14:16), and people were healed by Jesus’ tassel (Matthew 9:20) or Peter’s shadow (Acts 5:15).”

Fr. Sacha encourages the West Catholic community to take advantage of this opportunity for prayer: “Let us go to these sources of grace, which became so by Christ Himself, calling these men and women into His very love! And may these saints pray for our students and their growth in wisdom and knowledge today. Amen!”

Members of our wider Falcon community are invited to come pray in our chapel. One-time visitors to the chapel must check in at the main office. Those interested in becoming regular adorers should contact Patti Kohane at pattikohane@att.net.