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New chapel for Marymount University’s Ballston campus

Ashleigh Kassock | Catholic Herald Multimedia Designer

Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary Sister Jackie Murphy and Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Sister Patricia Helene Earl dress the newly dedicated altar in the chapel on the second floor of the new Marymount Ballston campus Sept. 13 in Arlington. ASHLEIGH KASSOCK | CATHOLIC HERALD

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Marymount University President Matthew D. Shank thanks all in attendance for coming to the altar dedication as he re-emphasized the university’s Catholic mission. ASHLEIGH KASSOCK | CATHOLIC HERALD

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Arlington Bishop Michael F. Burbidge gives a blessing at the opening reception of a new building at Marymount University in Arlington. ASHLEIGH KASSOCK | CATHOLIC HERALD

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Arlington Bishop Michael F. Burbidge blesses the chapel of the new Marymount Ballston campus and those in attendance Sept. 13 in Arlington. ASHLEIGH KASSOCK | CATHOLIC HERALD

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Bishop Burbidge pours holy oils on the wooden altar in the chapel on the second floor of the new Marymount Ballston campus Sept. 13 in Arlington. ASHLEIGH KASSOCK | CATHOLIC HERALD

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Bishop Burbidge pours holy oils on the wooden altar in the chapel on the second floor of the new Marymount Ballston campus Sept. 13 in Arlington. ASHLEIGH KASSOCK | CATHOLIC HERALD

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Students, professors, staff, chaplains and friends of Marymount
University in Arlington gathered in the new Ballston Center’s academic building
Sept. 13 for the blessing of the chapel and altar dedication.

 

Arlington Bishop Michael F. Burbidge dedicated the altar prior to
the first Mass celebrated in the chapel located on the second floor of the new
academic building. Bishop Burbidge used sacred oil to anoint the wooden altar
carved with an intricate grapevine design. Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary
Sister Jackie Murphy and Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Sister Patricia Helene Earl dressed the altar with linen cloths.

 

According to Sister Jackie Murphy, a member of the religious
order that founded Marymount, the new chapel shows that the university is
dedicated to extending its Catholic identity through every part of the
Marymount community. 

 

In 1992, Marymount bought the building affectionately known as
the “Blue Goose,” which was demolished in 2015 to make way for the two new buildings
some are calling the “Regal Eagle.”

 

The building that houses the chapel includes classrooms, an
auditorium, cafeteria, art gallery, library and a Starbucks. The other new
building on the new Ballston campus, called the Rixey, will be used for student
residences and retail space.

 

The chapel is “necessary,” said Katherine Martin, a Marymount
senior majoring in mathematics and philosophy. “With all the stress of going to
class, sometimes you need to come in here to take a moment to put things in
order.”

 

A Mass and confession schedule for the new chapel has not been
finalized, but Father Thomas M. Yehl, campus ministry chaplain, said he hopes
to be able to offer Mass at least once a week. 

 

The chapel’s modern feel fits well with the building and will
soon have new chairs and kneelers along with religious art, such as statues
of St. Joseph and St. Thérèse of Lisieux.

 

“It will come in stages,” said Father Yehl. “There are going to
be stained glass on both sides and then Stations of the Cross on the back.”

 

According to Father Yehl, the stained glass windows will be
suspended from wire similar to an art gallery exhibit. The windows on the wall
facing Fairfax Drive will depict the life of Christ while the interior wall
will have stained glass windows of the four evangelists repurposed from other
churches.

 

The altar dedication was followed by the Ballston Center’s
opening reception, which drew close to 200 guests.

 

Marymount University President Matthew D. Shank thanked all in
attendance and promised that every part of the university’s education will stem
from the altar and the chapel.

 

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