Save the Ballston Chapel and Prayer Space!

Praying!

I work in the Ballston area and would greatly appreciate the opportunity to attend daily mass.

EMAIL FROM DR. MATT SHANK, PRESIDENT OF MARYMOUNT UNIVERSITY:Greetings Father Bashista: Recently, there have been a number of students, faculty and staff inquiring about the presence of a chapel and/or meditation space in the new Ballston Center. Questions have also surfaced about space for a chapel and/or meditation at 4040 Fairfax, the building we will occupy as temporary space (or swing space) during the construction period. I am very pleased to communicate that we will have both a chapel and meditation space in the new Ballston center and also in the temporary space at 4040 Fairfax. Our Catholic students will have the opportunity to pray and attend Mass in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. All of our students will also have a separate space for meditation, prayer or reflection. Unfortunately, it is too early in the planning process to determine the size and location of the chapel and meditation space within the new Ballston Center. I will, however, be seeking your input and, as you know, have asked you to serve on the interiors task force for the new Ballston Center. Please feel free to disseminate this note to anyone you wish. I ask for your continued support and prayers as we move forward together on this important project for Marymount. Thank you. Matt Matthew D. Shank, Ph.D President Marymount University

Regarding both the new building and the (4040) temporary swing-space, it makes sense that square footage will be allocated for faculty and staff offices, classrooms, our new PT clinic, lounges, and for food and support services. These are all necessary for the proper care and development of the mind and the body. In addition, as Marymount University desires to care and serve the entire person then it seems logical that we would also want to allocate some square footage space to care for the spirit and the soul as well, as is presently the case in our existing Ballston building. Some have suggested that our present Ballston Chapel is not really utilized. That is simply not true. I know of numerous Catholics and other Christians who frequently make a visit for private personal prayer before the Blessed Sacrament reserved in the tabernacle. In addition, our noon Mass on Thursdays now takes place in the Ballston Chapel and has been attended not only by Marymount faculty, staff and students, but by others who work in surrounding office buildings. What a wonderful outreach to the community this is becoming. If continued, this will no doubt lead to greater exposure and collaboration with the surrounding Catholic business community as well as the lay-faithful at large who, by worshiping with us, might give further consideration to Marymount education opportunities for themselves, their children or other family members and acquaintances. While it is true that many of our Muslim students also pray in the Ballston Chapel, this is not an ideal situation. There has been a strong desire to provide our Muslim community (as well as others) with a separate prayer or meditation space in Ballston, similar to what we have in the Lodge on main campus. I fully support this effort, which is also strongly supported by our Muslim Student Association. The impending closing and demolition of the Ballston building has hampered the efforts to secure this separate space for the rem

I greatly appreciate having a chapel at both the Ballston campus and the center of main campus. In the midst of running from class to class, meeting deadlines, and trying to maintain work schedules, it is so refreshing to be able to take a step back from the hectic nature of day-to-day life and spend some time in peace, quiet, and prayer before the Eucharist. Being a Catholic University, I would definitely expect that Marymount would continue the tradition of including a chapel at the Ballston campus.

This is a Catholic school and I think it would be great to have a chapel at both locations! People need a space to pray and reflect and what better than a Chapel.

There has been a MAJOR misunderstanding. When the topic of the Ballston Chapel was brought up, Dr. Kidder said that there was going to be a nondenominational space of prayer and meditation in the swing space. He also said that the internal plans for the new Ballston Campus weren't even drawn up yet. There weren't "any concrete plans" for any part of the building. There are no floor plans of Ballston in existence. They don't have classroom space, office space, or even bathrooms planned out yet. Dr. Kidder and the rest of the University are strong proponents of nurturing students' faiths, whatever they maybe. Never once did anyone say that we are not going to have a chapel in the new building, they simply said that there were not definite plans because nothing has been planned out yet. As for the prayer room in the swing space, the University is making that nondenominational so that everyone can use it. It was explained to me that I was going to be a room that was stocked with Bibles, prayer rugs, Quran, and anything else needed to promote an open space for all people to use. Also, to be politically correct and not deter religions that don't use prayer, this space is going to be referred to as a meditation room. The university wants all students to be allowed to express their faiths and beliefs. It makes a lot of sense as to why we wouldn't put a chapel in the swing space. We only have the space for 3-4 years. We are in the process of working out a long-term lease (10 years) for the first floor of the building for our physical therapy clinic, but other than that, we are only leasing the building for the time that we need it. Consecrating a chapel takes time. We would have to wait for the bishop to consecrate the space and the alter which could take anywhere from a year to 2 years. Another thing to consider is that once you consecrate a space for a chapel, you can't simply clear out the space and have it unconsecrated once Ballston is ready. So leaving behind a con

Prayer will get you through.

I go to this chapel to several times each week! When students have more than one class at Ballston campus, the chapel is the perfect place to wait between classes!

There should be a universal prayer/meditation space if we are to uphold these common ground principles. I am in total agreement that a space like this is necessary for all faiths regardless of their background or creed. College is a place of personal growth and development and as such a worship/prayer/meditation space is required; especially considering many of the students who attend classes down there rarely come up to main campus during service hours.

We are a Catholic institution, we take pride in our Catholic tradition. If we cease to recognize that we are not recognizing an important part of Marymount University. We need to think about not only what seems like the most practical solution but also what seems right in relation to our Catholic Faith. There needs to be a proper prayer room and chapel wherever we establish our campus.

It's unbelievable to me that a Catholic campus would not provide adequate and convenient prayer space for its students.

I am truly disappointed to know that the administration is not considering having a chapel and a prayer room for both the swing space and the new Ballston campus. Students need and desire a space to pray and continue to grow in their faith. Please listen to the needs of the students on this campus! Thank you.

Marymount's Catholic school affiliation must be shown on both campuses. By having 2 chapels, everyone can practice his, or her faith. It would be so much easier for commuters, too!

One chapel is not enough. This is a Catholic University, where students will use this place of worship to praise Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. I have been told several times that the University is trying to display and increase their true, Catholic identity. I would be very disappointed if Marymount, quite frankly, did not live up to their word.

As the University is aiming at furthering the Catholic Identity of Marymount, it seems tragically regressive to build the new Ballston building without plans to include a chapel. The peaceful and true presence of Jesus Christ in the chapel at Ballston makes a difference to the students, faculty and staff.

Marymount has a growing Catholic community and if we do not have a chapel placed in the new building in Ballston...I am truly afraid of what will happen to the University.