Sidebar: Chapel history

The Our Lady of Perpetual Help Chapel, located in the basement of St. Paul's Church, was originally a storage room that was renovated for use as a chapel. It was built as a way to conserve energy; instead of heating the entire church for daily Mass, the chapel could be used.

But parishioners of St. Paul's and other Troy parishes soon had the idea of starting a perpetual adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and they approached Rev. John Mulcahy, then pastor, with their request. He approved, and Rev. Martin Lucia, a Sacred Heart Father who had written on the subject, came to St. Paul's to speak about perpetual adoration.

The chapel has a book for adorers to sign as they enter; they also may include prayer requests. Rosary beads for men and women hang on hooks nearby, or adorers simply may recite their own prayers or sit in silent meditation. The chapel's vestibule features a plaque with the names of adorers who have died during the past 15 years.

Father Mulcahy is honored to have been pastor when such the devotion got started. "It's a source of great happiness to me," he said. "It's been productive of more good than any one of us could ever know." (PQ)

(09-10-98) [[In-content Ad]]