Villa Madonna Academy volunteers renovating chapel

VILLA HILLS – Lyrics penned more than 70 years ago by Marian Fedders, member of the Villa Madonna Academy’s class of 1942, are as true today as they were then, according to academy archivist Sister Mary Carol Hellmann.

She wrote: “The gray-hewn grotto filled with shadowy peace, A place of prayer where troubles cease. The chapel high with its open door, Where thoughts grow calm and spirits soar.”

“The chapel and prayer are part of our tradition,” Hellmann said. “We know from our experience how prayer strengthens, we want to pass that on to our students today. They’re growing up in very difficult times. There’s gun violence, abuse, and the breaking down of families. There’s so much sorrow these children must deal with while growing up. They need to be strong and get strength from God.”

The chapel has always been the center of activity at the academy, Hellmann said. Students first used the chapel in September 1907. During its history, it has hosted the Benedictine Sisters of St. Walburg Monastery’s daily prayers, school Mass, graduation ceremonies and even a wedding. As Villa Madonna Academy’s student population grew, the space became too small for school Mass, and the space transitioned into a classroom space for the world languages program.

Now the chapel is getting a face lift and a new life thanks to the efforts of some dedicated families, faculty, friends and board members.

According to academy elementary Principal Soshana Bosley, for the past few years faculty and staff have been talking about restoring the chapel to its original purpose so that students and teachers could use the space for small group prayer as well as for religion classes.

This summer things began falling into place quite suddenly. A parent mentioned they would like to help restore the space, and because of some movement of office staff, a classroom space opened up for the Spanish program that had been housed in the chapel.

“The excitement around this renovation has been unbelievable,” Bosley said. “What began with one parent offering to paint has turned into an entire group ready to assist as needed. Volunteers consisting of current VMA parents, former VMA parents, board members, staff members, and many friends of friends have come out to help paint, clean and build. The amount of time and care each have put into the project is truly amazing. God works in wonderful ways.”

Volunteers have been cleaning and painting, finished the hardwood floors, and have refurbished an antique crucifix and are building a new altar. Seating has been ordered, as well. And the process has stirred up an interest in the history of the chapel. The academy is looking for families of the donors of stained-glass windows that date back at least to the 1920s.

Parent Amanda Kolar has been working on the project since the beginning, retouching the sketching on the ceiling that had been damaged with water stains. She has three children at the school and said it has been a pleasure to work on the chapel.

“It’s a blessing to be a part of this project,” Kolar said. “My children and others will be blessed by this community effort, it’s very touching. To have a place where students can quiet themselves and be attentive to the Lord speaking to them is tremendously important. That’s a really beautiful thing and this space is going to allow for that.”

The chapel is a special place for the Villa Madonna Academy community, according to Sister Mary Carol Hellmann.

“The chapel is a place of prayer and prayer is an important part of our lives,” Hellmann said. “I went to high school here and was always encouraged to stop by the chapel and say a quick prayer. It’ll be good to start encouraging our students now to do that. God is the center of our lives and we try to instill that to our students. He’s always present to us, especially in the chapel. It’s important for our students to go to the chapel just to talk to God and get consolation from Him.”

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