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Chapelle Mass notes founding of four high schools
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By Christine Bordelon
Clarion Herald
Approximately 63 years ago, the ninth Archbishop of New Orleans – Archbishop Joseph Francis Rummel – realized suburban growth would create the need for additional Catholic high schools in Jefferson Parish. He began a capital campaign to fund the construction of four new archdiocesan high schools – Archbishop Chapelle and Archbishop Rummel in Metairie, Archbishop Blenk in Gretna and Archbishop Shaw in Marrero.On Sept. 28, Archbishop Chapelle High School used its annual “Deus Providebit” Mass to kick off a yearlong 60th anniversary celebration of its school’s founding.
Chapelle invited representatives from the other three schools also opened in 1962. Attending were five legacy students from the former Archbishop Blenk, which merged with Immaculata High School to form the new Academy of Our Lady; four seniors from Archbishop Shaw; and four Student Council executive board members from Archbishop Rummel.“Today, we celebrate a dream that has become a reality,” Archbishop Gregory Aymond said about Archbishop Rummel’s dream to open those high schools.
He said much has changed at 8800 Veterans Memorial Blvd. over the 60 years – the building and renovating of buildings, faculty and staff, the onset of computers, sophisticated science labs and technology. He thanked God for certain things that haven’t changed at Chapelle – the dedicated and caring faculty and staff, parents who sacrifice, girls who enter eighth grade and grow into women of faith, the spirit of family, strong Catholic identity and graduates who have applied God-given talents to make a difference in the world.
Referencing St. Matthew’s Gospel parable of the talents, Archbishop Aymond encouraged Chapelle students to use their own God-given talents to expand the strong foundation built at Chapelle.
Besides gifts of music, dance, athletics and academics, Archbishop Aymond mentioned gifts not always recognized: personality, the gift of a kind heart, charity, leadership, sincerity, loyalty (a loyal friend, a woman of integrity). These gifts, he said, are given to help know Jesus and care for others.
“I ask you today as we celebrate 60 years of God’s fidelity, also to look at the fidelity God has shown you in your life,” he said. “What gifts has he given to you? He wants you to develop and use them as a good steward. ... God always provides – Deus Providebit – and he has provided well for you over the past 60 years.”
Proud history
Archbishop Chapelle’s Student Council president Madeline Vogt gave an opening welcome, thanking God for his providential care. She included a little history about the school’s namesake – Archbishop Placide Louis Chapelle – who used the phrase “Deus Providebit” (God Will Provide) in his episcopal crest as archbishop from 1897-1905.Vogt said “Deus Providebit” is something that students proclaim daily and which “continues to shape our school’s mission and spirituality.”
The New Orleans archbishops following Chapelle were Archbishop James Hubert Blenk (1906-1917); Archbishop John William Shaw (1918-1934); and Archbishop Joseph Francis Rummel (1935-1964).
It was during Archbishop Rummel’s tenure that Catholic schools and parishes in the archdiocese grew quickly – from less than 40,000 students to more than 85,000 by 1960.
Archbishop Rummel started a “Youth Progress Program” in 1945 to raise money for education and the building of schools. The archdiocese opened about 70 new schools and increased parishes from 135 to 180 during his tenure as archbishop.
Rummel’s website referenced a challenge made to Archbishop Rummel by Jefferson Parish Sheriff Frank Clancy in 1955 about Metairie’s booming population. Clancy told the archbishop it was “overdue for us in Jefferson to have our own Catholic high schools for boys and girls.”’
Archbishop Rummel had plans already in the works for the four high schools in Jefferson Parish to be named after 20th-century archbishops.
Events planned at ChapelleChapelle students received an emerald green T-shirt emblazoned with a 60th anniversary logo to wear on special occasions this year.
“We have several celebrations throughout the year to welcome our more than 13,000 alumnae back to their Chapelle home,” said Connie Dantagnan, head of school. “An alumnae rally battle of the decades will join women from each of our six decades for an evening of friendly competition to decide which decade displays the most school spirit. At the Founders’ Day celebration in the spring of 2022, beloved former presidents and principals will be invited to campus to share their wisdom and love for Chapelle with our current students.”
Dantagnan said campus improvements planned include a new look to the school’s main entrance, redesigned classrooms to support technological advancements and a new grotto with specially commissioned statue of the Blessed Mother.
“As we embark on our next 60 years, our mission remains the same – to provide a Catholic education community of excellence in which the spiritual, academic and social development of our students is accomplished, trusting that Deus Providebit … God Will Provide.”