Franciscan Health-Munster: Bishop Blesses, Dedicates New Hospital Chapel, Altar

Franciscan-Health-Munster-Bishop-blesses-dedicates-new-hospital-chapel-altar-2016Most Rev. Donald J. Hying, archbishop of the Gary Catholic Diocese, blesses with holy water attendees at a Rite of Blessing of the Altar and Dedication of the Chapel ceremony on Feb. 9 at Franciscan Health-Munster. The newly completed hospital chapel is named in honor of Blessed Maria Theresia Bonzel, founder of the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration.

The ceremony, before a packed assembly, took place on her Feast Day, with the bishop presiding at a Mass. Other speakers included Michael Stenger, hospital president; Sister Angela Mellady, provincial superior for the Sister of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration; and Sister Jane Marie Klein, chairwoman of the Franciscan Alliance Board of Trustees. The chapel is part of a nearly completed $70 million hospital renovation and expansion project, which recently saw the opening of a new, 24-hour, full-service Emergency Department, and also includes 24 new patient rooms, a gift shop and a cafeteria-dining room. The project adds 80,000 square feet of space and 40,000 square feet of upgrades to the existing building to the hospital, 701 Superior Ave.