ST. LOUIS, Aug. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- On Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020, the Grand New SSM Health Saint Louis University (SLU) Hospital hosted a small gathering to bless and dedicate the chapel in the new facility, which is set to open Sept. 1, 2020. Auxiliary Bishop Mark Rivituso, Archdiocese of St. Louis, and Concelebrant Father Suwalsky, SJ, VP of Mission and Identity at Saint Louis University, conducted Mass in the new chapel and continued to bless the rest of the new hospital after the service.
"It's a wonderful occasion that we gather for, asking God to bless all of our labors of love, our labors of caring and healing," said Bishop Mark Rivituso during the service. "And as we gather together, we remember all the blessings that we have received and all those who are so supportive of this Mission. We remember them at this Mass asking God to bless all of us as we continue the good work that the Lord asks of us, especially through Saint Louis University Hospital."
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, it was a small yet intimate gathering of leaders from SSM Health, SLU Hospital, Saint Louis University and SSM Health Foundation – St. Louis.
"We are grateful to the Archdiocese of St. Louis for conducting our first-ever Mass in the new chapel of our Grand New SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital," said Steven M. Scott, president of SLU Hospital. "And we appreciate all those in our SSM Health and Saint Louis University family who could be a part of this special occasion and to all those who watched the service online."
Nearly 100 people tuned in to the live-stream of the chapel blessing, which can now be viewed online at http://www.ssmhealth.com/future (click on Events), or on SLU Hospital's YouTube channel.
As a Catholic healthcare ministry, the chapel is a sacred place, open 24/7, 365 days a year for patients, visitors and staff. It is a special place of respite, faith sharing, sacrament, solitude, community and prayer and features beautiful stained glass designed by Emil Frei. The Emil Frei and Associates stained glass company is the same design firm who created the stunning stained glass in the legacy chapel. The new chapel is made possible by a generous donation from David Thornley Orthwein, who was a reader during the Mass on Sunday.
The Grand New SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital is set to open its doors to the public on Sept. 1, 2020. To learn more, visit http://www.ssmhealth.com/future.
CLICK HERE to download photos and videos from the event.
SOURCE Grand New SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital
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