The chapel at Catholic Charities’ Christ House in Alexandria is about the same size and shape as a school bus. There’s a small altar at the front with a crucifix attached to the curtained wall behind it. A row of cushioned benches line both walls leaving a narrow center aisle free for ingress and egress. There’s one way in and one way out.

When there’s a full house at the monthly Mass, there’s no room to kneel, so people are asked to stand during normal kneeling parts of the Mass. At times, receiving Communion is like dodging traffic on the Beltway.

There was a full house last week when Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde celebrated Mass at the chapel, and traffic was heavy.

Tom Bransfield, Christ House case manager, said the Mass was a long time coming.

“Christ House has wanted the bishop to celebrate for some time and the bishop wanted to celebrate and finally it came together,” he said.

The Mass was also a time for Bishop Loverde to bless a plaque that sits in the shelter’s waiting room. The plaque honors the memory of Francis H. Fannon Sr., a longtime Catholic in the Arlington Diocese. The plaque was presented to Christ House by the Fannon family.

Jeanne Spaeth, director of communications for Catholic Charities, said that when Christ House was renovated a few years ago they invited people to sponsor rooms. Frank Fannon came forward to sponsor the lobby and asked that it be named the “St. Francis of Assisi” lobby in honor of his father.

Steve Luteran, Catholic Charities executive director, is thankful for the help the Fannon family has provided.

“We are so appreciative of the Fannon family for their support of Catholic Charities and Christ House. The St. Francis of Assisi room will be a memorial in honor of their father and a reminder to us of St. Francis’ work with the poor,” Luteran said.

Fannon family and friends turned out to attend Mass and the blessing. The crowd filled the chapel and the overflow went out the door and into the lobby.

In his homily, the bishop noted that it was the feast day of St. Catherine of Siena who is an appropriate model for Christ House since both tended to the poor and the sick. It was also appropriate that the lobby be named after St. Francis of Assisi, who ministered to the less fortunate.

After Mass, the bishop blessed the plaque and thanked the Fannon family for their generosity.

Frank Fannon read excerpts from a book he published of compiled articles written and published by the senior Fannon, One Man’s Life.

The bishop noted that plaques have a purpose.

“We create plaques to inspire,” he said.