Up-date #5 - (March 4, 2024)
An Interim Period in the Work here in the Monastery
Our dear Families and Friends,
Praised be Jesus Christ!
Many of you are eager to know how our renovation project is progressing, and many are asking when our Chapel will be open again for daily Mass! Since our last up-date of February 13th, the renovation work has slowed down considerably, but this does not mean we are near completion! After our last up-date, the Sanctuary side of the newly built wall was finished off with spackling and paint from floor to ceiling. The scaffolding that was set up to accomplish this work was a dizzy-site to see! Good St. Joseph certainly protected the men who climbed it!
BEFORE COMPLETION
BEFORE COMPLETION
COMPLETED SANCTUARY WALL
COMPLETED SANCTUARY WALL
Also, the arch on the choir side of the wall was refined with a good coat of paint . Now we await the “mock-up” (samples) of the diaper pattern from Swiatek Studios that will be painted within the arch. This is a delicate and time-consuming work! As you can see in the pictures of the arch there are wooden beams visible, these beams will eventually be covered with wooden, stained paneling. (The third picture is St. Mary’s in Auburn, NY renovated by Swiatek!)
At the end of February, our Mother Prioress and Council Sisters met with Kyle Marianacci and our architects Michi Sanderson and Jennifer Ahrens of Bero Architecture, to review the work completed to date and to organize the next steps in the work. Companies that specialize in wood-work, decorative painting, electrical work and flooring have been contracted for the Choir paneling and shutters, as well as the ceiling lights and new floor; Canal Metalsmiths are already on board and are working on the new grates. These dedicated workers are in their respective shops, working behind the scenes, fabricating the paneling, shutters and metal grates. This kind of work needs time. Hopefully, the new ceiling lights will be installed soon. That is the next step.
We are deeply grateful for your patience and for your interest in our renovations. It is going to be a while yet before our Chapel can be reopened for daily Mass – perhaps this may be sometime in April. At this point we are not able to give an exact date. Please keep praying for us and the progress of the work. We will continue to keep you posted with up-dates. Know that we pray for you daily, especially at Holy Mass. If you miss being here at Carmel for daily Mass, we greatly miss you as well! However, we remain united in spirit.
May this holy Lenten Season be for you and your families a time of renewed dedication to Jesus our Redeemer. His Heart, that was pierced out of Love for all of us, is always ready and eager to pour out His infinite Love and Mercy on those who ask Him!
Your ever-grateful and devoted
Carmelite Sisters
