Bishop Robert McClory recently consecrated the new Franciscan Health Crown Point chapel altar donated by Michigan-City based Tonn and Blank Construction.
McLory, bishop of the Diocese of Gary, performed the rite of consecration for the altar in the St. Joseph Chapel. The rite was performed during a Mass at the new hospital.
John Gilmore and Joe Coar built the altar by hand. Gilmore is Tonn and Blank Construction's president and CEO. Coar is the company's retired vice president of operations. The altar was constructed of red oak and has a stone top.
“Joe and I have been working together at Tonn and Blank and in the cabinet shop for many decades,” Gilmore said in a press release. “Working in the shop at night and on weekends is relaxing for us. We love the Sisters and their mission. We are grateful that our work will bring joy and healing to this great new facility.”
The rite of consecration is performed by a bishop during a special Mass using the sacred Chrism to anoint the altar. During the rite, the altar is dedicated for sacred use and worship.
“This altar is no simple table,” McClory said. “It was certainly a labor of love.”
McClory added that much like the work of St. Joseph, the work of those in health care is often unrecognized.
Dr. Daniel McCormick, Franciscan Health Crown Point president and CEO, described the Mass as “transformative” in the life of the hospital and its staff. McCormick said he appreciated McClory’s message for health care workers.
“They do a lot in silence and do not get rewarded a lot in words,” McCormick said.
The Franciscan Health Crown Point hospital opened Jan. 28. Franciscan Health is a 12-hospital health system serving Indiana and Illinois. The system’s first hospital opened in 1875 in Lafayette.
Caption: The Most Rev. Robert McClory, Bishop of the Diocese of Gary (center), presides over a special Mass for the rite of consecration of the altar in the St. Joseph Chapel at the new Franciscan Health Crown Point hospital. (Provided by Franciscan Health)
