April 26, 2023

Bishop Byrne blesses new Newman Center chapel at UMass Amherst

REGIONAL
By Sharon Roulier

 

AMHERST – Springfield Bishop William D. Byrne blessed and dedicated the chapel in the new Newman Catholic Center at the University of Massachusetts (UMass), here, April 23.

During a 2 p.m. liturgy in Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Chapel, located across the street from the original Newman Catholic Center, Bishop Byrne anointed the altar and walls with sacred chrism.

The long anticipated Mass celebrated by the bishop, and concelebrated by 18 priests, was attended by some 450 invited guests and benefactors. It was almost two years to the day that ground for the 19,000-square-foot facility was broken on 111 Thatcher Rd. The original Newman Center has been located at 472 North Pleasant St.

Newman Center director Father Gary Dailey told those gathered that the new facility “was a vision in my mind from even before the process began.”

The new $9.8 million center includes a research area with private study rooms, lounges, the Newman Café, administrative offices, conference rooms, and an outdoor gathering space and gardens. But the most important space is the chapel, said Father Dailey.

“The architects knew from the very beginning that this was and is the most important space in the Newman Center. This is where everything begins and ends with regard to Newman ministry,” Father Dailey told the congregation, in remarks at the close of the Mass. He said that in the foundation of the chapel are buried five medals: the Miraculous Medal; St. Padre Pio medal; St. John Paul II medal; St. Teresa of Calcutta medal; and the San Damiano Cross.

“The architects and contractors knew that I was very serious when it came to making this space sacred,” he said.

During his homily, Bishop Byrne thanked those in attendance and those watching via livestream on diospringfield.org for their “gift of prayers and generosity to make this Newman Center a reality.”

“Above all, I’ve got to thank the students,” said the bishop. “If you weren’t here and we didn’t have you, this place wouldn’t exist.”

“This chapel and this center exemplify the goal of the university education – ignorance to enlightenment to feed the world,” he said. “The two wings of faith and reason lift us up every time two or three students will be gathered here in (God’s) name.”

Video coverage of the new Newman Catholic Center will be featured on the April 29 edition of “Real to Reel” on WWLP-TV22 at 7 p.m. and on Boston’s Catholic Television Network.