Up-date #3 - (Feb 1, 2024)
Marianacci Builders Begin Their Work
The architects Michi Sanderson and Jennifer Ahrens from Bero Architecture have engaged Kyle Marianacci and his crew from Marianacci Builders, LLC to do the construction work in our Choir and Sanctuary. Our Prioress Mother Paul Augustine and our Council Sisters met with Kyle and his co-worker Dan Compton several times during the previous months to discuss the details of the renovations. We were really impressed by the competency of Kyle and Dan, and their attention to the numerous details of this project. They will take care of all the sub-contracting needed: the metalsmiths, carpenters, electricians, painters, and those who will do the flooring. Dan also did some preliminary exploratory work to check the beams within the Choir wall to ensure that the structure above the Choir would not collapse once the wall was removed. Thank God he found a strong steel beam – just what he was hoping to see! Now everything was “Good-to-Go”!
After months of planning and waiting, the work finally began in mid-January. Firstly, the Sisters removed everything moveable from the Choir – including the organ, pedals and all ! We set up a temporary Choir and Mass Chapel in our Chapter room. Our beloved Bishop gave us his permission to have our daily Mass within the cloister of the Monastery with a Priest, a server and our lay-extern Carol Payne. The Chapter room is a small space, but adequate, and it makes a beautiful little Choir and Mass Chapel .
Then the work actually began. Kyle and another worker came to remove the furnishings from the Sanctuary – they did this in a few minutes! They also covered the back Altar in the Sanctuary with a huge sheet of heavy plastic. The main Altar and other Sanctuary furnishings were place in Our Lady’s alcove and were likewise covered .
Next, panels of wooden flooring were placed in the Sanctuary, center aisle of the Chapel, and the Vestibule to protect the floor from the heavy machinery that would be brought in; the Communion rail was also covered with drop cloths.
Shortly afterwards, Tim and Kathleen Cullen of Canal Metalsmiths came in to remove the two grates. Tim determined that each was at least 400 lbs. They got them out and over to their shop in Fairport. They are working on the needed extension of the grates .
Once the grates were out, the Marianacci crew were then ready to build a wooden frame on the Sanctuary side and cover the frame with sheets of plastic forming a “tent” to keep the dust contained. On the Choir side, they also put up another barrier of more sheets of plastic held in place with poles reaching from floor to ceiling !
Then the wall demolition began, first with the removal of the paneling on the front wall of the Choir exposing the inner brick-like blocks . From the Sanctuary side jack-hammers brought the wall down block by block. Fortunately, the demolition and clean up only took three days of work!
With the wall gone, we await the next steps. We will keep you posted. In the meantime, please continue to pray for us and for the safety of the workers. Be assured of our continued prayers for you and your loved ones, especially at Holy Mass.
