LINCOLN (SNR) – Bishop James Conley celebrated Mass June 14 for the Knights of the Holy Eucharist, and consecrated the new altar in their renovated chapel.
The beautiful chapel is a fitting place for the brothers, whose main apostolate is fostering reverent devotion to the Eucharistic King.
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The Knights of the Holy Eucharist, who came to the Diocese of Lincoln in 2016, were established in 1998 by Mother Mary Angelica of the Annunciation, PCPA, well known as the foundress of EWTN Global Network.
The Knights offer talks, server training and other charitable works in the diocese. They reside at Our Lady of Good Counsel Retreat House in Waverly, and at the friary at Sacred Heart Parish in Lincoln, a former convent. The brothers have renovated the friary rooms and living spaces over the past five years.
Brother David Mary, major superior, said the goal of the chapel renovation was to beautify the chapel and make it a more updated place of worship for God. The chapel was first dedicated in 1961.
The updates used a more traditional style, he said, “with more symbolism in the details of the design to remind one of God’s presence amongst us.”
The renovation, performed by Jean and Char Kriz and completed over the last six months, included the new altar and new windows, but many items were refreshed.
The stations of the cross were from the original chapel design, but freshly painted with gold and white tones. The ambo was also originally a piece of the chapel but was sanded, cleaned, and repainted.
“The pews were generously restained by the local penitentiary,” he said. “The wards did a wonderful job of restraining and fixing the pews which are now stationed in our chapel. We are greatly thankful to them.”
The tiled floor was donated by the Demarco brothers. The renovation was further funded by anonymous donors who support the Knights’ apostolate.
By consensus, Brother David said, the brothers are very happy with how the chapel turned out.
“We have already had multiple hours of Adoration in the newly renovated chapel and already had a few Masses,” he said. “It is a very peaceful place to spend time with God.”
As there are no priests within the ranks of the community, the brothers attend Masses at Sacred Heart Church next door. Masses are celebrated in the chapel at least monthly, however, usually by Sacred Heart pastor Father Leo Kosch.
Collectively, the Knights have a little over three hours of Eucharistic Adoration a day. Brothers will often come into the chapel for small visits throughout the day, simply to spend a minute or two with Jesus.
