Carmelite Monastery, Schenectady, NY = letters

[graciandelamadrededios]

CARMELITE MONASTERY 

428 DUANE AVENUE

SCHENECDATY, N.Y. 12304-2628

 

J.M. + J.T

March 11, 2005               

 

Our dear, dear Friends,

           Praised be Jesus Christ!  As we approach the Solemnity of St. Joseph, we wish you many blessings from his powerful intercession.  As you know St. Teresa said he never refused her any favor she asked of him, and we are praying for each of you in particular in our novena before his feast.

          Most of you know of our need to relocate our community.  For Many reasons we have been advised to move from Duane Avenue, our home for over eighty years, and to look for a place that is in a more contemplative environment.  And many of you have been praying with us to St. Joseph for this intention.

          During the past few weeks, a totally unexpected turn of events has unfolded and we want to share with you how St. Joseph seems to be answering our prayers.

          We have been working for two years in our search for a new place in the diocese, and every avenue has led to a "dead-end."  We do not want to pay five million dollars for a new building for eleven sisters, especially as it would require a great fund-raising appeal.

          Last year we were informed that our Carmelite Sisters in Pittsford, New York (Diocese of Rochester) had passed "the point of no return."    Three of the Sisters needed nursing care and the other three could not maintain community life.  They were welcomed by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Rochester and now reside in their new motherhouse.  The Pittsford monastery was put up for sale.  It is a beautiful stone building on fifty-eight acres of land.  We were invited to consider moving there, but at that time the distance and the price (3.6 million dollars) discouraged us.

           Last month the Prioress of Pittsford Carmel contacted us.  The contractor who was to purchase their property backed out at the last minute, saying he could not finance the project he had in mind.  The Sisters realized that they do not want the monastery to be torn down (this was his plan), nor do they wish it to be given to secular purposes.  Their solution is to offer it to us at no cost.

          A couple of us went to see it and to take pictures.  The monastery is a real "jewel."  The architect who designed it went to Spain to study monasteries there before he began his work.  The chapel reminds one of a Cistercian abbey church in miniature (it seats 60 - 70 persons) and our present sanctuary furnishings will fit quite well.  The slate roof of the whole complex was completely renewed two or three years ago, and the building has been insulated.  It seems large, but in actual fact it is eleven thousand square feet smaller than our present building.  With this letter we are sending some pictures so that you can see something of what is being offered to us.

          We ask you to pray with us as we discern God's will in this matter.  Our hearts are heavy as we think of leaving this diocese, though in fact, our hearts will always remain here.  Diocesan boundaries are man-made, and our love and prayers would still reach you and yours will reach us.  At one time the whole New York State was one Diocese.

 

          Another significant factor is that the chaplains of the monastery in Pittsford are Priests of the Congregation of St. Basil.  Here we have always been dependent on the diocesan clergy, and we are less and less certain of having a priest of Mass as the responsibilities of our good parish Priests increase.

 

          This is where we are at present.  We would have liked to speak to each one of your in person, but since this is not possible, a letter sent to all at the same time seemed the next best thing.  The plans are not finalized.  The comment of one of our Priests was, "The news is bitter-sweet... but how could you refuse such offer?"  So, we pray, and ask you to pray, as we ask ourselves this question.

 

          This year the feast of St. Joseph marks the beginning of Holy Week.  As we enter into the liturgical celebration of the greatest Mysteries, we beg that God's grace in super-abundance may flood your hearts and minds.

 

Devotedly yours, in Our Lord and His Mother,

 

 

The Carmelite Sisters