Over the last several months, the Centennial Committee has been hard at work discussing plans, pulling together ideas, and considering costs for our celebration. It was agreed that a special project would be undertaken to commemorate our 100th birthday, one that will bring glory to the Lord while honoring our Blessed Mother.
The project focuses on enhancing the beauty of our St. Benedict Chapel. This effort is especially meaningful now, with the recent reinstating of the Chapel for Holy Hours, Friday Adoration, the 7:30 AM Mass during Lent, and other spiritually enriching events. At the same time, the project has allowed us to reimagine the celebration of Baptisms in the Chapel. This change will provide families with a more intimate and prayerful setting for this sacred Sacrament while also addressing liturgical and practical concerns associated with the existing baptismal font and these celebrations in the Gathering Space.
After extensive research, we have partnered with a talented designer from New Holland Church Furniture in Lancaster County, PA. They are making a new wooden altar, baptismal font, lectern, presider chair, and kneeler for the chapel. In addition, Fr. Peter Gray, a renowned artist, was commissioned to make a portrait of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel for the space. (You may have seen several of his pieces on permanent display at St. Paul’s Inside the Walls.)
The total cost of this project is approximately $28,000, which covers all of the above and a few other necessary additions. To date, we have already received $16,000 in donations. If you feel called to contribute to enhancing this sacred space, please reach out to Fr. Vidal directly at his cell (347-435-5767).
Notre Dame of Mt Carmel has been blessed by the Spirit for the past 100 years. Our prayer is that we continue to serve the community and the Lord for the next 100 years!
