PHOTOS: See images from Wednesday's dedication
FULL COVERAGE: Go inside the new co-cathedral
VIDEO: Video coverage of the co-cathedral
As thousands from all over the globe traveled to Houston to see a building become sacred, it was a smaller gathering at John Paul II Catholic school in west Houston in the gpynamsuim to watch the dedication ceremony live here on abc13.com.
'It's just an exciting time for the Catholic community and we just wanted to watch what goes into dedicating a new church," said Principal Janie Hengst.
The pre-K through 8th grade student body enjoyed a watch party on a big screen and absorbed some little known facts.
"One of the relics that they are required to have is actually a part of the true cross, which we believe is what Jesus was crucified on and I think that's very interesting," said 7th grader Gabriella McBee.
But for these Catholic students, there is now a sense of a bigger connection to the Houston area and it's million plus Catholics.
"I think it's very cool that the Archbishop Dinardo, or Cardinal Dinardo now, is there because he used to, he comes to our school every year," said 8th grader Katie Chang.
"It's good for the school and for some of the students that don't necessarily see God in an everyday sense," added student Brian Schwarzbach. "It's important for them to see God and how he is working through this co cathedral in a real life situation."
And seeing the dedication live has only left some students eager to actually step foot in what is now a Houston landmark.
"Out of all the things in the co-cathedral, I'm really looking forward to seeing the stained glass window with Jesus holding his hands up on the horizon and the Houston skyline in the back," said Brian. "I think that's pretty cool."
Brian will soon get his chance to see that stained glass in person. The John Paul II Catholic school has already planned a field trip to the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart. The eight grade tour is scheduled in just two weeks.
First Co-Cathedral public events
Guided Tours
Saturday, April 5, 9am to 3pm
Mass by Archbishop Joseph Fiorenza
Saturday, April 5, 5:30pm
Mass in English
Sunday, April 6, 11am
Mass in Vietnamese
Sunday, April 6, 1pm
Regular Mass in Spanish
Sunday, April 6, 5pm
