If you’re used to delays in construction, we at Holy Cross Abbey just had a happy surprise. The renovation of our church will begin a good week earlier than planned. That’s good news for us, looking forward to moving back into the church.
I realize it’s bad news for a number of other people since this coming Sunday will be the last Sunday in our church until the renovations are complete. As you may have read in an earlier post, we will celebrate in the Chapter Room and there will be limited access in that much smaller space. The priority is given to our guests on retreat–at most sixteen people–who will fit comfortably in the new space. However, we know we could only comfortably host twice than number which is many fewer people than presently join us for Sunday Mass.
There are other limits. Construction will be in progress Monday through Friday and the church will be sealed off and parking will be difficult. Midday Prayer will no longer be public and the Chapter Room will be open to visitors only for Vigils (3:30 AM), Lauds and Mass (7:00 AM), Vespers (5:30 PM) and Compline (7:30 PM). We know that some people like to come throughout the day to enjoy the silence of the church but that will no longer be possible. In fact, on the average workday there’ll be precious little silence in the Chapter Room as the noise from construction spills over.
We regret the inconvenience and ask you, with us, to bear in mind that this temporary upset is the down payment for an improved worship space that will benefit us all.
m. kamien says
Hi Fr. James:
If the parking for visitors is going to be “difficult” during the construction, then where are we allowed to park while gathering in the Chapter Room space?
Also, will the temporary entry to said Chapter Room (thru the mansion front door) be open prior to Vespers, etc. for example 10 minutes prior to the start of prayers (or something like that)?
Sorry to mention these paltry details, especially since you all must be terribly busy right now. :/ It would help to know if possible so we don’t Bother you guys too much!
Good luck,
Mary
James says
Parking by the gift shop is always possible and that should be adequate on weekdays. We don’t yet know how much of the parking circle will be occupied. Portable toilets, contactor’s trailer, workers’ vehicles etc. will be in place there, a miniature construction site.
Of course, on Sundays there will be no activity, no workers on the job. Parking along the road and down the drive to the Retreat House will be necessary.
However, benches in the Chapter Room will accommodate no more than 32 visitors.
The door to the Mansion will be open from 3:15 AM through 7:50 PM. The Chapter Room will not be a quiet place during work hours–8:00 AM through 5:00 PM
Luca says
I am assuming the using the chapel in the retreat house is not an option .. correct?
James says
Knowing monks, it would not be an simple exercise to get us all over there and back for each office–and impossible for the infirm. Since we celebrate the Office as part as our vocation–as not as a show on the road–it really wouldn’t be logic to move us out from under our own roof.
The Retreat Chapel is not made for celebration. It’s one thing to fit 45 people in there for a conference–as has been done–but there is no workable room for that many people and an altar. Once you put a proper altar in there the seating has to be cut back to 24! The Chapter Room is the better of the two options.
Everyone in the Retreat House is welcome to join us and we’ll have enough room for the potential 16 guests.