Zelo Zelatus Sum: With Zeal I am Zealous (for the Lord God of Hosts). This motto of the Carmelite Order is engraved on the front panel of the new altar in the Chapel of Our Lady of Mount Carmel at Salpointe Catholic High School in Tucson, Arizona. These words salute the Carmelites on the 800th anniversary of their Order and are a reminder of the many years that they have served the Salpointe community.

From the very beginning of Salpointe Catholic to the present day, the liturgy of the Eucharist has been celebrated on campus each and every school day and attended by faculty, staff and students. In the early years (1950-1955) the chapel was located in the main building in what is now known as the Carmelite Conference Room.

When the Gercke Building was constructed in 1956, the chapel was relocated to its present site there. Father Roy Conry, O.Carm., recalls that in 1977, the chapel was remodeled with the building of a new brick altar, beautifully carved doors and a wall carving of Our Lady of Guadalupe. During Father Leo McCarthy’s tenure as principal, (1988-1996) a “tree” of names of all the Religious Sisters who have served at Salpointe was installed on the west wall of the Chapel.

In an effort to accommodate the needs of the present student population, and with the blessing of Father Fred Tillotson, O.Carm., Head of School, plans were made last year to remodel the chapel once again. This was accomplished through the generosity of the William and Mary Ross Foundation, Tim ’70 and Jane Stewart Garigan ‘70, the Salpointe Parent Association, Richard Snow, Steve Halper ’57, Jim and (late) Josie Johnson, Dennis ’74 and Maggie Martinez Cozzetti ’74 and the combined team effort of the Campus Ministry and Development Departments. The new altar, lectern, tabernacle table and two stands were designed and built by Mr. Snow (father of Father Glenn Snow, O.Carm.).

With the addition of freshly painted walls, new ceiling and carpeting, 42 seats and new “soundproof” accordion doors, teachers are encouraged to take their classes into the chapel during the school day either for “show and tell” Masses, to pray, meditate or share in spiritual discussion. Besides daily Mass before school starts in the mornings, four Masses are held in the chapel on Holy Days of Obligation (before and after school and during the lunch hour) and the annual Veteran’s Day Mass is celebrated in memory of all the members of the Salpointe family who died in active military service. When necessary, the sliding accordion doors are opened to add extra seating from the classroom next door. It is hoped that some day in the not-too-distant future we will have a free-standing chapel at the heart of the campus that will accommodate many more students at one time.

Our Salpointe Catholic High School Chapel was renewed and rededicated to Our Lady of Mount Carmel on Sunday, February 17, 2008. The Mass was celebrated by Carmelite Fathers Glenn Snow, Fred Tillotson, John Malley, Foster Hanley, and Jeffery Smialek, along with other members of the Carmelite Community.