Thank you and may God Bless You!
PRAISED BE
JESUS CHRIST,
NOW AND FOREVER!
THE CARMEL OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH
ALL GLORY AND PRAISE TO GOD ALMIGHTY!
Glorious, Historical overview in Photographs of its construction
With gratitude to the Discalced Carmelites for allowing us to share their photographs on the construction of the Monastery of the Carmel
Photography credit: Bob Masek With gratitude!
Please note that photographs may not be copied or distributed. Thank you.
+JMJ
July 1, 2001
Praised be Jesus Christ,
Summer is here in Nebraska. Highs have been in the 90's. Lots of sun and an occasional thundershower. I've attached a few photos of a rainbow that appeared directly over the monastery and the sunset that followed.
What a gift!
The much anticipated construction of the chapel and its stonework has finally begun. The stone columns and capitals have been set under the dome. Footings were dug today for the columns in the chapel. The second floor above the novice's oratory has been started. I've attached a few photos taken from the second floor windows. There are only a few more exterior walls that need to be constructed and then they will be finished with the block work.
Again I have about 15 photos to send so I will be sending them in two groups.
Pax Domine sit semper vobiscum,
Bob & Susan
(Roll over image for larger view)
+JMJ
August 30, 2001
Praised be Jesus Christ,
Summer is slowly fading away here in Nebraska. The hot 100 degree days are gone and the highs are now in the 80's. Nice warm days and cool nights. The sunsets have been spectacular and sleep comes easy when you can leave the windows open and let the cool breeze drift through the house. No offense to Glade but the "Country Breeze" scent you can buy in a can doesn't even come close to the real thing. No matter how hard they try, they can't do better than God.
Work continues as usual on the monastery. All the block work is done. The 8' wall that separates the cloister from the public is finished. The entire outer structure of the monastery is complete and the roof is on. They are currently constructing the walls in the area that houses the Turn and the Speak Rooms. They have started working on the wall that separates the vestibule from the chapel. They have also begun moving dirt in front of the monastery for sidewalks and parking lot. We are hoping to have the entire driveway paved by the first of next month.
I don't have any news for you yet on the dedication date. You can be sure that I'll let you know as soon as a date is set. There is still a lot of work that needs to be done in the chapel, the turn room, speak rooms, and work rooms. We must be patient and trust that God will allow the monastery to be completed in his time frame. We must learn from the Sisters and follow their example of patience. They've waited for 11 long years without any complaints. We only have a few short months to go.
Pax Domine sit semper vobiscum,
Bob &Susan
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+JMJ
August 5, 2001
Praised be Jesus Christ,
We are now in the midst of the hottest days of the year, here in Nebraska. Today the high was 103 degrees with about 50% humidity. Friday and Saturday was much the same and men continued to work on the roof of the monastery. The temperature on the roof was well over 115.
The brick masons worked on the west face of the chapel wall. They encountered the direct sun for most of the day. Please pray for these men. They are making tremendous sacrifices in order to complete this job.
Thursday they poured the chapel floor. The front of the monastery is nearly complete. Stoves and refrigerators were installed in the kitchen. Most of the cabinets have been installed in the south section. The cloister walk is completely covered. Plumbing, electrical, and HVAC work continues in the area that will include the turn and speak rooms. They have also begun removing a lot of equipment and cleaning up the grounds around the monastery in preparation for the landscaping and seeding that needs to be done in a few weeks.
The most popular question I've been asked is "When will it be finished?" The answer is always, "I don't know." The completion date is very elusive. I don't think anyone involved in the building process can accurately predict that date. Many things need to come together before that date can be established. Many variables must be taken into consideration. What I do know is that I thank God everyday for the people we have that are making the decisions. They are guided by Rev. Mother and the Sisters. I've met these men and I can assure you that they are Godly people that have the Sister's best interest in mind and not their own self interests.
Thank you for your continued prayers.
Pax Domine sit semper vobiscum,
Bob & Susan
October 1, 2001
"The Bell"
+JMJ
Praised be Jesus Christ,
Well, it's been another busy month at the monastery.
Just this last Thursday the large bell (Gabriel) was installed in the bell tower. It looks and sounds beautiful. The bell and all the mounting hardware weigh 1800 lbs. (816 kg) The bell itself weighs 1200 lbs. (544 kg). It rings the Angelus at 6 AM, Noon, and 6 PM. It also rings from 6:53 AM until the beginning of Mass at 7:00 AM. The Sisters also have the ability to ring the bell manually whenever they need to.
Earlier in the month the driveway and parking lot were paved.
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Work is continuing on the chapel. The stone columns have been erected and they are installing the structure that will support the vaulted ceiling.
The sanctuary is full of scaffolding that has been constructed for the artist that will be creating the mosaic in the dome. We are anticipating that process to begin sometime in the next few weeks. The cupboards have been installed in the kitchen, bread room, dishwashing room and provisory. Drywall is being put up in the speak rooms, turn, and vestibule.
The weather here has been perfect for the past couple of weeks. Sunny and 75 degree days. Cool 50 degree nights. It has allowed the landscapers to do some of the final grading and plant grass seed around the monastery.
Pax Domine sit semper vobiscum,
Bob &Susan
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November 8, 2001
+JMJ
Praised be Jesus Christ,
A lot has been completed this past month. Almost all rooms and hallways are finished and painted. They are finishing the last areas that need floor tile. Cabinets are being installed. Light fixtures are going up. The areas around the monastery that were seeded last month are now green.
Drywall crews are working on the ceiling of the chapel. The big challenge that remains is the completion of the rest of the chapel and the marble altar.
During this past month we also had the privilege of watching a world renowned artist at work in the dome of the chapel. Bruno Salvatori, from Italy, completed the mosaic in the dome of the chapel. It is an incredible piece of art that contains over 6 million pieces of glass. The image consists of the Holy Spirit at the top of the dome with Jesus, Mary and Joseph at the Presentation on one side, St. John of the Cross and St. Teresa of Avila on the opposite side, and an angel on each side. I've attached a few close-up photos that were taken on the scaffolding during construction. As soon as the scaffold is taken down I'll be able to send a picture of the entire completed dome.
Please remember the Sisters and the workers in your prayers.
Pax Domine sit semper vobiscum, Bob & Susan
November 14, 2001
+JMJ
Praised be Jesus Christ,
I realize I just sent you an update but we've got some magnificent photos for you to see since they removed the scaffold under the dome. The full view of the mosaic is, in the words of Madrecita, maravilloso! The photos just don't do it justice. The colors of the images are very vibrant. It is truly one of the most magnificent pieces of art that I have had the privilege to see.
In addition to the mosaic, work has begun on the marble altar and communion rail. This too will be spectacular when completed. In case you haven't heard the story of the altar, I'll try and give a brief explanation. This hand carved, solid marble altar was originally constructed for St. Joseph's hospital chapel in Omaha, Nebraska many years ago. The chapel was eventually torn down and the altar was auctioned off and sold to a gentleman from western Nebraska. The altar was taken apart, piece by piece, packed in wooden crates, and stored in a barn on this gentleman's ranch. There it remained for over 30 years. A couple from Lincoln, Tom & Rhonda Peed, heard about the altar, acquired it and moved it back to Lincoln. The Peed's then heard about the Carmelites and their construction project and very generously donated the altar to the Sisters. I've attached a black & white photo of the altar when it was in place in St. Joseph's hospital chapel.
Through the diligent efforts of Fr. Charles Van Vliet [see insert]
, the crates were
moved to a temporary storage building a few miles from the monastery. It took 3 trucks
(24') to transport all the crates.
There the crates were unpacked, pieces were identified,
and then inspected for damage. There were a few broken pieces but overall it was
in surprisingly good shape. Fr. Charles then enlisted the help of several seminarians
to help organize and clean the hundreds of pieces of marble. They in turn brought
the pieces up to the monastery and the Sisters worked tirelessly, scrubbing and polishing
all the pieces of marble. Just yesterday, some of the pieces were moved in to the
choir, adjacent to the sanctuary, so that Fr. Charles could begin reconstructing
the altar with the help of Pat Breitfelder and Gene Ragan. If you can comprehend
the number of pieces involved, try imagining the weight of all these pieces. The
dome at the top of the altar weighs approximately 800 lbs. (362 kg) An 18" x 6'
piece of the step weighs over 300 lbs. Most of the panels you see on the front of
the altar are at least 200 lbs. I've attached a few photos of the pieces arranged
in the choir and work being done in the sanctuary.
I hope to send you a photo of the finished altar and communion rail in a couple weeks.
Please say a prayer for Fr. Charles and all those involved. Many people have worked countless hours and given freely of their time to reconstruct this tremendous altar for the Sisters. (This includes the Sisters)
Pax Domini sit semper vobiscum,
Bob & Susan
December 7, 2001 - Incredible aerial photos ...
+JMJ
IT IS ACCOMPLISHED!
December 15, 2001
+JMJ
Praised be Jesus Christ!
"What an awesome place this is! It is none other than the house of God - the gateway to heaven!"
These were the opening words of Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz's homily during the dedication mass, taken from the book of Genesis.
On Friday, December 14th, the Feast of St. John of the Cross, the Carmel of Jesus, Mary and Joseph was dedicated and the Papal Enclosure was set by Bishop Bruskewitz. Over 25 priests were in attendance. The concelebrants included Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz, Bishop Daniel Walsh, Msgr. Timothy Thorburn, Fr. Joseph Fessio, and Fr. Steven Watson. The Schola consisted of 10 seminarians from Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary. F.S.S.P All totaled, over 160 people were in attendance.
Following the mass, Bishop Bruskewitz led the Sisters, priests and seminarians around the monastery for the Enclosure ceremony. It is accomplished! We are all so happy for the Sisters. Our dear Sisters now have a completed monastery.
The chapel is awe inspiring. The high altar, mosaic and sanctuary are all beyond description. I've attached a few photos but they can never duplicate the feeling you get when you open the front doors and see the chapel for the first time. Everything about the monastery is conducive to prayer and meditation. Our Lord has rewarded them greatly for all their years of self-sacrifice, patience, and prayer.
On Sunday, December 9th, an open house was held to allow people from the surrounding area to see the entire monastery before the enclosure. The open house was to be held from 2:30 to 5:00 PM and we anticipated, at the most, 500 people would attend. Boy were we wrong!! At 11:30 AM I was in the chapel getting ready for the open house and several car loads of people showed up outside, and they kept coming. By 1:00 we had over 1500 people go through and it technically hadn't even started yet. By 2:30, the entire chapel was full of people, shoulder to shoulder. The sanctuary was full. All the halls were packed with people. I looked out the front door and saw nothing but cars and people. The parking lot was full. The quarter mile long driveway was lined with cars on both sides. Agnew Road was lined with cars on both sides for 3/4's of a mile in each direction. A friend of mine from work said that they walked at least a mile from their car to the monastery. I talked with people that had driven as far as 300 miles just to see the monastery. There were people there from Kansas, South Dakota, Missouri, and Iowa. Our final estimate of attendance was at the very least, 4000 people.
Everyone was very excited about the monastery and many were asking how they could help to support the Sisters. It has been an incredible week here with the Sisters. It was truly a "once in a lifetime" event. We have been so blessed to have been able to be a part of it.
[One of the many miracles.]
I have to tell you about something that happened on Saturday, the 15th. The Lincoln Journal-Star [click] had published a really nice article about the dedication and more specifically about the high altar. They published two photos of the altar. One from the dedication and one as it was, back in the hospital chapel. Saturday morning a gentleman from Minnesota was traveling through Nebraska and had stopped to eat breakfast. While reading the paper he saw the article and could not believe his eyes! There on the page was the altar that he had disassembled over 30 years ago. He immediately went to the monastery and when he walked in to the chapel he could not hold back the emotion. He sobbed uncontrollably. He never thought he would ever see the altar again. He was the man that was hired to disassemble it and for years it bothered him that he had been the one to take apart something so beautiful and it would never be seen again. Once again he was standing before it in all its glory. We had never seen a man so happy. He stayed and talked with the Sisters for over an hour. Just one more example of the countless graces and blessings being poured out on people as a result of the Sisters' prayers.
Pax Domini sit semper vobiscum,
Bob and Susan