Up-date #2 - (Jan. 23, 2024)
Preliminary Renovations done by the Sisters & Friends
During the Spring and Summer of 2023, while awaiting the availability of contractors and builders, we did some preliminary renovations ourselves. When we closed our Monastery in Schenectady before moving to Rochester to re-open the Carmel here, we gave a number of items to Mother Wendy McMenamy of the Sisters of Reparation in Steubenville, Ohio. Among the items we gave her was a beautiful wooden canopy (made of cherry wood) for the Blessed Sacrament which we had in our Schenectady Chapel. As we were putting together ideas and the architectural plans for our Choir renovations, we thought of this canopy and how perfectly it would fit into our Choir here. We contacted Mother Wendy, told her about our renovation project and asked if by any chance she still had the canopy? Her answer was that she had it in storage and would be delighted to give it back to us. Within a few days it was here in Rochester! For our Sisters who were from the Schenectady Carmel, it was like receiving an old and cherished friend!
Despite being in storage for 18 years, the canopy was in pretty good shape, though it did “suffer” some nicks. Immediately one of our Sisters took up the work of re-staining the structure. We also had the happy idea of decorating the base of the canopy upon which the Most Blessed Sacrament would be placed with 12 carved cherry wood “Tudor roses”.
These “roses” are very symbolic: they represent the 12 Apostles, the foundation of the Church, to whom the Lord Jesus entrusted His teachings to hand on to His future disciples; and the character of Tudor roses represents the Patron of our Diocese of Rochester, St. John Fisher, the Martyr-Bishop of Rochester in England. We contacted Heart Wood Carving Inc. in Eugene, Oregon and ordered 12 2 ½” cherry wood Tudor roses. Sister also stained the roses with the same mahogany stain as the canopy and added a touch of gold paint to the petals and center of each rose, and a bit of red bronzing powder to the spinæ thorns.
The canopy was crafted in 2 large pieces: the canopy itself is the upper section, and the lower section is comprised of 4 carved columns and a middle post. When we removed the upper section we were delighted to discover on the wood the signature of the craftsman and the year of its fabrication.
We have a large Urn-Tabernacle in the sacristy that we use for the Holy Thursday Repository. We placed it on the canopy to see if it would fit and serve as a permanent tabernacle for the Choir – it was perfect! Though the design of the Urn is very beautiful and most suitable for liturgical use, it was in need of refurbishing. So, we turned to Tim and Kathleen Cullen of Canal Metalsmiths in Fairport; they have done a number of metal works for us over the years and we have come to really appreciate their expertise, as well as their friendship and vibrant Catholic faith. Working with them has always been a joy. They did a magnificent job of refurbishing the Urn-Tabernacle. We also spoke with Tim and Kathleen about our need to extend the grates in the Choir and asked them if they would be able to take on this metalwork in conjunction with Michi Sanderson and Bero Architecture. They were very happy to be part of our project.
The next step in our work was to entrust the refurbishing of our Choir Altar to our long-time friend, Richard Buck. He is a retired electrical engineer and among his many talents, he is a master wood craftsman! The Altar came from our Monastery Choir in Schenectady and was made in 1925 when the Chapel and Choir were built. So this venerable Altar has been part of our Sisters’ liturgical prayer for almost 100 years! He remade and enlarged the mensa (the Altar top fixed to the pillars and base), and he removed the back panel to make an “open” Altar. He also re-stained the entire Altar. We were very pleased with the results because the original design of the Altar was preserved.
During the summer heat of early July 2023, 4 of the Sisters re-stained the Choir benches. The work of sanding and staining took just 2 days, but the drying time took 2 weeks because of the humidity! We set up several fans running throughout the day to help the cause. Slowly, very slowly the tackiness dried out and the strong smell of fresh stain gradually dissipated. During this time we set up a temporary Choir in our Chapter room. However, we were able to attend Holy Mass in the Choir using chairs and other benches. It was well worth the effort and the inconvenience because the Choir benches look like new!
Another aspect of the renovation was the purchase of some new vestments and Altar Frontals for Holy Mass. By Divine Providence we found a place called Catholic Liturgicals which makes a variety of beautiful Mass vestments at a very low cost. We purchased several sets of Mass vestments and Altar Frontals, as well a new candle sticks for the Chapel and Choir Altars. All of this enhances the beauty of Divine worship .
With the coming of Fall we were informed that the company that would do the contracting and building would only be able to start at the beginning of the New Year. We then decided to put what was completed in place in the Choir. So with the canopy, Urn-Tabernacle, Altar and benches finished we had our first major liturgical celebration on the Solemnity of our Holy Mother St. Teresa of Jesus.
As a final word for this up-date we wish to share with our family members and friends, that along with the external work of this renovation project which is being guided by the loving hands of our Good Jesus, He is also bringing about a truly wondrous work of liturgical renewal in our hearts and in our Carmelite life! This project has made us look more deeply at the Sacred Liturgy: to study the documents of our Mother the Church regarding the Liturgy and to celebrate it with renewed fervor. It has been a tremendous grace for us!
Please continue to pray for us. We will be back with further updates. God bless you!