PHOTOS: Oratory of St. Frassati Dedicated in Special Ceremony at Frassati Catholic Academy
- Rocio Madera
- 3 hours ago
- 6 min read
The new chapel is the culmination of a years-long improvement effort at the Catholic school that bears the name of the Church's newest saint.
On an afternoon filled with emotion and deep faith, the school community of Frassati Catholic Academy in Thornton gathered this Thursday to celebrate a historic and meaningful moment: the inauguration of its new chapel and the canonization of St. Pier Giorgio Frassati, the young saint who inspired the name of this sacred place. Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila marked this new chapter for the school with a special Mass attended by much of the school community.
During his homily, the archbishop recalled the exemplary life of St. Pier Giorgio Frassati, highlighting his deep humility, generosity and unshakable faith. From a young age, Frassati showed a special sensitivity toward those in need, always acting with discretion and authentic love.
“A mother and her son knocked at the door seeking help, and Pier Giorgio saw that the boy had no shoes. He took off his own and gave them to him,” the archbishop said, emphasizing how this simple gesture revealed his profoundly grateful soul, able to see the needs of others even as a child. “He did it in silence. He didn’t run around saying, ‘Look how great I am, how generous I am with what I’ve given,’ but he did it as God does.”
He also urged those present to reflect on the true meaning of Christian faith and gratitude, reminding them that each person is called to holiness, regardless of age or condition. Drawing inspiration from St. Paul's words to Timothy, he emphasized: “Be an example for the believers in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity.”
He then affirmed with conviction that “young people can change the world” and held up St. Pier Giorgio and St. Carlo Acutis as examples, young people whose lives “touched the whole world” through their total surrender to Christ.
The archbishop concluded by encouraging everyone to deepen their love for Jesus Christ and the Eucharist, and to follow the example of humility and service shown by St. Pier Giorgio Frassati and St. Carlo Acutis, who demonstrate that holiness is not something distant or reserved for a few.
At the end of the Mass, Archbishop Samuel was surprised by the school's students, who presented him with handmade gifts from each class as a birthday gift and as a sign of gratitude for his support of the institution. After the Eucharistic celebration, attendees had the chance to greet him and take pictures with him.
(Photo by Olivia Britt/Denver Catholic)
Father James Spahn, pastor of St. John Paul II Parish in Thornton, which currently uses Frassati's chapel as a temporary home while its own church is being built, gratefully recalled the place's simple beginnings.
“Look how far we’ve come, from this simple, enthusiastic cafeteria to a beautiful chapel with pews,” he fondly remembered.
And those very pews hold a special meaning for the Denver native now shepherding the new parish community in Thornton.
“These are the pews I sat on as a child, growing up with my family at Holy Name Parish in Sheridan, whose pews keep following me,” he said.
Parents who attended the Mass also expressed great joy at the inauguration of the new chapel.
“They’ve done a beautiful job. Now it will be more meaningful, because there’s a chapel: Jesus is in the school. It’s a true blessing!” said Linhdan, a school parent.
Renewal
Since its opening in 2017, Frassati Catholic Academy has grown significantly, transforming its former cafeteria into a temporary space for school Masses and St. John Paul II Parish's Sunday Masses.
Initially, the area had to be set up and taken down daily for Mass and lunch, requiring much effort. However, in 2020, the pandemic allowed the space to be used permanently as a chapel, though with an industrial look that was less than ideal for a place of prayer.
Its founding principal, Sara Alkayali, spearheaded a renovation project with Horizon West Builders and an architect. In 2023, thanks to a donation of pews from Holy Name Parish in Sheridan and the volunteer help of Horizon West Builders, the chapel was established as a permanent place of prayer.
In 2024, with partial funding from the Koch Foundation, the school launched a campaign to raise the remaining funds needed to renovate the chapel. Significant improvements were made, including installing an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, a marble-based tabernacle, new flooring and ceiling, and replacing metal doors with glass doors bearing a crucifix.
(Photos by Olivia Britt/Denver Catholic)
Generosity
During the celebration, Eileen Michalczyk, the school's president, expressed her deepest gratitude to the archbishop, the faculty and the entire school community that came together to make this dream a reality. She especially highlighted the generosity of Horizon West Builders, the construction company that not only carried out the project but also donated time and resources so that this chapel could become a tangible reality for all.
“We have the opportunity to impact the next generation and give back to the Archdiocese of Denver, which has given so much to our family over the last 30 years,” said Luc Neitenbach, project manager at Horizon West Builders and a Frassati parent.
But beyond the construction work, this accomplishment would not have been possible without the generosity and commitment of the Frassati community.
“I pray that Frassati’s chapel fosters in our children reverence and a deeper connection with God. I hope the beauty of the space lifts their hearts and minds to the Lord, the creator and giver of all that is good and true,” said Shannon Batal, a Frassati parent and key donor.
She also expressed joy at the new tabernacle: “It is so beautiful and ornate, a worthy place for the Blessed Sacrament. I am grateful because I know the Lord’s presence in the tabernacle is a source of grace and blessing for the entire Frassati community.”
“We believe that how we use our time and resources reflects what we truly value,” added Joe Batal, Shannon’s husband. “The Eucharist is the center of our faith, our life and our school. Supporting this project was perfectly aligned with our values.”
Real Presence
For Father Adrián Hernández, the school’s chaplain, the blessing of the chapel “is giving a soul to the school,” which now takes on new meaning, because at its heart beats the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist.
“I dream that the chapel will be a place where children discover that they are not alone, that there is always a friend waiting for them,” he explained. “May this chapel be a refuge where they learn to listen to God in silence and, at the same time, a beacon that lights their decisions with faith, hope and love.”
For her part, Michalczyk highlighted how the beauty of the new chapel elevates the spirit and helps students focus on Mass, prayer, and adoration: “Beauty leads us to God, and now we can tell the children that Jesus has a beautiful home in our chapel.”
From the heart of the classroom, teachers have also experienced the school’s spiritual transformation with deep emotion. Elina Faulkner, a preschool teacher since the school’s beginnings, shared how this change has impacted the entire community and how the example of St. Pier Giorgio Frassati continues to inspire both children and adults.
“It is a great blessing to see how our school grows spiritually with the inauguration of this chapel. It is a reminder that God walks with us in every stage of our school and community life,” she said. “The story of how our chapel was born also reflects the faith of our student community: it teaches us that good things take time, patience and dedication.”
St. Pier Giorgio Frassati
With St. Pier Giorgio Frassati's recent canonization, his example carries even more weight at the academy that bears his name. His faith and dedication continue to inspire the entire school community, showing that holiness is attainable in daily life for students, teachers and families.
“What better guide for this school community than the spiritual patronage of St. Pier Giorgio Frassati. With his joyful, generous, and truth-filled life, he reminds us that God can be contemplated in everyday life: in study, in sports, in friendship, and in service to the poor,” said Father Hernandez. “That our school bears his name and that we now have a chapel is a way of telling children: ‘Holiness is not an unattainable ideal; it is the most beautiful adventure you can live, and it is within your reach.’”
“He was an ordinary, cheerful person who loved nature and spending time with friends,” added Michalczyk. “That makes him relatable to children, because they see someone who enjoyed the same things they do. But they also discover in his life an example of generosity and service to those most in need. He inspires students to live with kindness, joy and dedication.”
“St. Pier Giorgio Frassati inspires us to live our faith with joy, service and courage, and motivates us to follow his example of trusting in God and putting our faith into action,” concluded Faulkner.
The example of St. Pier Giorgio Frassati inspires and is lived out in every action that fills the school with hope and joy.
“This official decree for our chapel and the ongoing beautification of the space give honor and glory to God, which is what we always strive to do at Frassati Catholic Academy,” Michalczyk concluded.
