New Chapel of Unity and Reconciliation Blessed at Christ Cathedral in Honor of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange
GARDEN GROVE, CALIF., (JULY 20, 2015) – On Sunday, July 19, 2015, the new Chapel of Unity and Reconciliation within the Cathedral Cultural Center on the Christ Cathedral campus was formally blessed by the Most Reverend Kevin Vann, Bishop of Orange.
The construction of the chapel, a serene sanctuary for prayer and meditation, was made possible by a gracious contribution from St. Joseph Health, which was founded by the Sisters in 1920.
A Tribute to a Legacy of Service
Bishop Kevin Vann:
“This chapel is more than a place of reflection and meditation; it stands as a tribute to and as a thank you for the many gifts the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange have shared with our community over the past 100 years. This beautiful space will serve as a fitting reminder… of the profound love of God shared with millions through the ministries of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange.”
Deborah A. Proctor, President and CEO, St. Joseph Health:
“From the beginning, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange embraced their calling to serve their dear neighbor and meet the needs of the community, carrying out their charism of unity and reconciliation… St. Joseph Health is pleased to be a part of making this testament to their inspiring history possible.”
About the Chapel: Art and Architecture
Located on the third floor of the Richard Meier-designed Cathedral Cultural Center, the intimate chapel features several dynamic pieces of art and liturgical furnishings.
- Crucifix by Alexander Tylevich: This crucifix conveys the Paschal Mystery. The body of Christ is “on” the cross but not affixed, looking to be rising off the cross slightly as if taking a breath of new life. Tylevich has also been commissioned to create the crucifix for the main Christ Cathedral altar.
- St. Joseph Sculpture by Alexander Tylevich: This bronze sculpture depicts St. Joseph, patron of the Sisters, as a young, welcoming workman—nonjudgmental and embracing hospitality.
- Mural by John August Swanson: The donated wall mural, titled The Washing of the Feet II, encourages us to show true humility of spirit and love for all.
- “Grace” Altar Furnishings by Joel McCoy: The furnishings are constructed of Madrone, a wood native to Humboldt County where the Sisters first arrived in 1912, and are designed to harmonize with the building’s curved architecture.
A Century of Compassionate Service: The Ministries of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange
Since arriving in Orange County in 1922, the Sisters have established countless ministries to serve their “dear neighbor.”
- Healthcare Pioneers: They founded a robust healthcare system, including St. Joseph Hospital, St. Jude Medical Center, and became the sponsors of Mission Hospital.
- Innovative Outreach: They humbly worked among the most vulnerable, establishing transformative ministries such as:
- Taller San Jose: An educational and job-training center born after four Sisters moved into a gang-ridden Santa Ana neighborhood to better understand its challenges.
- Bethany: A transitional housing program for homeless and abused women that began when the Sisters opened their own home to those in need.
- The Wooden Floor (formerly St. Joseph Ballet): A renowned program for the children of Santa Ana.
About the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange
The roots of the Sisters of St. Joseph date back to 17th-century France and the vision of a Jesuit priest, Jean-Pierre Medaille. He sought to organize an order of religious women who, rather than remaining cloistered, would venture into the community to minister to those in need. In 1912, a small contingent of Sisters came to Eureka, California, to establish a school. Their healthcare ministry was born in 1920 after they saw a desperate need for a hospital during the 1918 influenza epidemic.
Contact Information
Pastoral Center: Communications Department
13280 Chapman Avenue, Garden Grove, CA 92840
Office: 714-282-3075
Fax: 714-282-3029