Letter of Appeal from Bishop Hebda for the Cloistered Carmelites

I recently received a copy of the letter in which the bishop appeals to the generosity of the faithful to help these good Sisters with monetary donations in order to bring their chapel in line with the Holy Father’s more recent emphasis on reverent worship. He writes: “At a moment when our Holy Father Pope Benedict has invited the Church….to renew its appreciation for the Mass,….the timing seems perfect for construction of a new sanctuary…The nuns have proposed a modest, yet elegant, project that will eloquently reflect AUTHENTIC [my emphasis] Catholic liturgy.”

Though the name of the architect commissioned for the renovation is not named in the letter, it is none other than the famed Duncan Stroik.  I do not say “restoration” because, really, there is nothing to “restore”.  The chapel, constructed in 1962, was from its very beginning modern and bare-bones.  The communion rail that used to be in place was what looked to be a very large, 60’ish kneeler.   Please remember these good Sisters in your prayers, and if possible, please send them a donation.

Carmelite Monastery

3501 Silver Lake Road

Traverse City, Michigan  49684-8949

Your charity will rebound a hundred-fold because the prayers of these holy Sisters are most powerful.  I know so!

Here is the chapel now:

With the free-standing altar situated near the edge of the narrow steps, ad orientem worship was impossible. About 10 years ago, the first-ever Tridentine Mass here was celebrated facing the people.

Here is the new chapel as proposed by Stroik:

and another view:

"The project included elevating the altar to symbolize God's holy mountain: Calvary...altar will be rebuilt ad orientem. Plans also include a new altar rail, marble floor..." This is the first time Stroik will have worked with a Carmelite monastery.