PUBLISHED ON April 24, 2026

Celebrating Faith, Legacy, and Providence: Founder’s Day Mass 2026

Yesterday, the Chapelle family gathered in gratitude and joy for our annual Founder’s Day Mass, a beautiful celebration of faith, tradition, and the generations who make our school so special.

A Gift of Prayer and Unity

We were honored to present Archbishop Aymond with two meaningful gifts:
- A rosary designed in our five class colors—Lavender, Blue, Red, Green, and Yellow—symbolizing the unity of our grade levels as one circle of faith.
- A book of prayers written by each Theology class, offered in gratitude for his service and as a promise of our continued prayers.

Both gifts reflect the deep gratitude we have for Archbishop Aymond and the legacy he will leave in the Archdiocese of New Orleans. We pray for joy and happiness as he enters his retirement!

Outstanding Catholic Student Awards

One of the most special moments of the morning was recognizing students who exemplify Catholic identity and Christ-like leadership on campus and in the community.

Congratulations to our 2025–2026 Outstanding Catholic Students:
- 8th Grade: Sophia Hunter
- Freshman: Leila Abbate
- Sophomore: Anna Claire Occhipinti
- Junior: Audrey Dubuc
- Senior: Kyla Apostolakis

Each of these young women lives her faith with sincerity, kindness, and dedication—truly reflecting the beauty of Catholic education at Chapelle.

Faculty & Staff Years of Service

We proudly honored members of our Chapelle family celebrating milestone anniversaries:

10 Years of Service
- Ghada Chokr
- Trina Hille
- Dale LaCour
- Susan Panzavecchia
- Frank Ready
- Anne Southworth
- Samantha Urso

20 Years of Service
- Judy Homes
- Julie Hunter
- Martha McCann
- Jessica Reeg

Their dedication continues to shape the lives of our students and strengthen our mission.

Deus Providebit Award

In the spirit of our motto, Deus Providebit — God Will Provide — we honored our 2026 recipients:

Deacon Drea and Brenda Capaci

With more than five decades of service to Chapelle and the Church, their lives reflect unwavering faith, family devotion, and generous service. Their legacy is woven deeply into the fabric of our school.

2026 Alumna of the Year

We proudly recognized Lyndsey Manalla Dyle ’03 as the 2026 Alumna of the Year — the youngest recipient of this honor.

A devoted alumna, business leader, entrepreneur, and dedicated mother, Lyndsey continues to give back to Chapelle, most notably through her leadership of the beloved Alumnae Decade Rally.

Honoring the Class of 1976

We were thrilled to welcome back the Class of 1976, celebrating their 50th anniversary. Each graduate received a commemorative diploma, and the class surprised us all by singing their senior song — a beautiful reminder that the Chapelle spirit lasts a lifetime.

Looking Ahead: Incarnate Word Hall

In her closing remarks, Head of School Connie Dantagnan shared exciting news about our future. Thanks to the generosity of our community, we have raised $8 million toward our $10 million vision for Incarnate Word Hall.

This summer marks the next phase of construction, bringing us closer to a sacred space dedicated to prayer, worship, and spiritual growth for generations to come.

Founder’s Day reminded us that Chapelle is more than a school — it is a living testament to faith across generations. As we continue forward, we do so with gratitude for our past, confidence in our present, and hope for our future.

Deus Providebit — God Will Provide.
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