Update #6 ~ When Will the Chapel be Opened Again?
Our very dear Families and Friends,
Praised be Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary His Mother! It has been a while since we have provided an up-date on our Choir renovations. Well, it is simply because there has been very little to report, and up till now we could not get a projected date as to when the work would be finished and the Chapel could be reopened for daily Mass! Many of you, our dear friends, have been asking where we are at with the renovations, and when our Chapel will be opened again for daily Mass? Some have even wondered if we would ever open our Chapel again! We assure you without any doubt, our Chapel will be reopened for daily Mass as soon as the work is completed. Having a public Chapel for the faithful to come for Holy Mass and prayer is very much part of the set up for a Discalced Carmelite Monastery. This was the intention of our Holy Mother St. Teresa of Jesus – that intention is precious to us in our Community!
Unfortunately, there have been delays in the work. The main delay is that the lumber company that is providing the wood for the Choir paneling and shutters has been backlogged with work. So the woodwork will only be completed sometime in August. However, other works are moving forward: the final measurements and design for the diaper pattern that will grace the arch in the Choir has been worked out and the painting will begin soon . Also, the new flooring in the Choir will be installed in the coming weeks. Our friends at Canal Metalsmiths have completed the new grates and they are keeping them in the shop until they are ready to be installed. The grates will be the last items to be put in place.
In May we ordered new kneeling pads for the marble floor at the Communion rail; these new pads will cover both sides of the floor. After several years of experience of having our old and venerable Communion rail in place, we think these new pads on both sides of the rail will facilitate the distribution of Holy Communion for both the Priest and people. The pads are custom made and we hope to have them sometime in July.
The entire Chapel will also need a major cleaning due to the wall demolition and all the dust that was raised to the Chapel rafters! Our Bishop’s Secretary, Fr. Daniel White has given us the name of a professional cleaning company to do this work. This will need to be done in two stages: the ceiling, walls, stained glass windows and Stations of the Cross can be done first. Hopefully, this can be done sometime this month of June or in July. The second stage of cleaning will be done after the renovations are finished; this will include the pews and the floor in the Sanctuary and the body of the Chapel. The details still need to be worked out with the cleaning company.
One of our Sisters has taken on the work of giving a new coat of paint to the walls of the Priests’ entrance, a small room adjoining the sacristy. Sister did the painting in a rather short time and she did a splendid job !
So, as you can see, the work is not completely stalled. It is just slower than we expected. We are always so touched by your continued interest, your eagerness to come back to Carmel for Holy Mass, as well as for your generous support! May God bless and reward you for your patience! Please continue to pray for us and for all those who are involved in this work for the glory of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit! Know that you and all your loved ones and all of your intentions are daily remembered in our prayers.
With devoted love and gratitude
in Jesus and His Mother Mary, Queen of Carmel,
Your Carmelite Sisters
