How this project began...

Our dear families and friends,
    Praised be Jesus Christ our Eternal High Priest!  Some of you have been aware for quite a while of our project to renovate our Choir (this is the place where the Sisters assist at Holy Mass, pray the Divine Office, and spend other times in prayer).  Along with the Chapel, the Choir is one of the most important “rooms” in the Monastery.  
    Since our move to Rochester from Schenectady in 2005 to re-open the Monastery, we have appreciated the Monastery building and surroundings.  Together with the support of our Bishops, past and present, our devoted Priests and so many, many cherished friends, this Carmel and the Diocese of Rochester has become “Home” for our Community.
    Several years ago, we took up a project of renovation for the Sanctuary in our Chapel.  During our first Canonical Visitation with Bishop Matano in 2014, we spoke with him about our desire to do a modest renovation of the Sanctuary. This would entail painting the wall and ceiling canopy of the Sanctuary, putting up the beautiful Communion rail from our Schenectady Chapel, and refurbishing the Altar of Sacrifice.  Our dear Bishop happily gave us his blessing for the project, and within a few months the work was completed.  Everyone has been delighted with the results!
    However, we now think it is time to do a much-needed renovation in the Choir. The Choir of the Monastery was never renovated after the liturgical renewal of the Second Vatican Council.  Though we appreciate simplicity, the Choir was quite bare, one could even say “stark”.  It lacked the noble décor of a Carmelite Choir . 

Although our Holy Mother St. Teresa wanted her Monasteries to be poor and simple, but well-built and sturdy for sure, she also insisted that the Chapel and Choir be suitably decorated for divine worship. Nevertheless, the main reason for this renovation project is that because of the limited size of the Choir grates, the Sisters can see very little of the Priest and Altar during Holy Mass, except for the ambo which stands in front of the grate.  Of course, seeing is not everything about the Liturgy, and we have managed in these circumstances for the past 18 years . 

But having a better view would certainly enhance our participation in the Holy Sacrifice which is central to our day in Carmel.  Our Community has a deep love for the Sacred Liturgy and we have done our best over the years to beautify the Choir and give it additional décor. From the first days of our coming to re-open the Carmel of Rochester our greatest desire was to restore the Eucharistic Presence of Jesus in the Chapel tabernacle, but also in the Choir tabernacle.  He is absolutely the center of our life ! 

Yet the problem of not seeing adequately at Holy Mass remained. We spoke about this together in Community and it seemed to us that the best solution would be to remove a section of the existing wall between the Choir and the Sanctuary and expand the grates.
    As we have done in the past, we spoke to Bishop Matano about this project.  He was most understanding in seeing the Sisters’ need to have a better view of Holy Mass and he gave us his full support.  Together with his Secretary, Fr. Daniel White, they put us in contact with a good architect, Michi Sanderson who works with Bero Architecture in Rochester.  Michi is a young Catholic wife and mother of 2 children.  She and her husband, Alec (who is also an architect) bring to their work, not only their professional skills in architecture and art, but also their vibrant Catholic faith.
    Our first meeting with Michi was in March of 2023 and we were able to explain to her our difficulties, and share with her our ideas.  There were a number of other meetings with Michi after which she was able to draw an architectural design that more than met our expectations!  This renovation work will not only provide a better view of Holy Mass for the Sisters, but will greatly enhance the beauty of the Choir as a sacred space for the worship of God!
    Dear friends, please join us in spirit to pray for the happy outcome of this renovation project here at the Monastery which is for the glory of the Most Holy Trinity; and please pray that Our Lord will bless and protect all those who will work on the renovation.

We invite you to follow us as the work in our Choir is completed. We will keep you updated here on the step-by-step progress of the renovations, happily sharing with you our joy!