Praise be Jesus ... now
and forever! Alleluia!
Carmel of JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH
Discalced Carmelites
NOTE: These webpages brought to you by the Las Vegas Marian Information Center.
With gratitude to the Discalced Carmelites for allowing us to share their photographs
on the construction of the Monastery of the Carmel. Please link here to contact us re: this Center. Thank you.
Greetings to all!
WOW, WHAT A WEEK!!!
Sunday, Nov. 19th, 2000
St. Gregory the Great Seminary in Seward, NE is dedicated. The Papal Nuncio, Archbishop Montalvo is the celebrant. We take a few of the Sisters to
the new monastery for a little luncheon with some of the workers on the project. It was a great opportunity for the workers to
get to know who they are working for. Final touches are being made in preparation for the dedication on Monday. Sr. Stella Marie's mother Pat,
Pat's sister (Debbie Kuzina) and aunt (Joyce Semenchuk) have been here visiting from Winnipeg and have been a tremendous help with the move.
They took care of numerous details that we couldn't take care of by ourselves. Thank you Lord, for sending them!! They stayed with my
mother, Rose Masek while they were here. They were a tremendous help.
Monday, Nov. 20th
"All aboard..."
(click
image to view larger photo)
Procession from the old farmhouse to the new monastery for the dedication. The Sisters rode on a hayrack for the 4 mile trek. (The
temperature at 7AM was 12 degrees. -11 degrees C.) When we arrived at the new monastery, they walked in procession around the north side to
the temporary chapel. Photos are attached. At 10 AM Archbishop Montalvo (Papal Nuncio) celebrated the dedication mass in the temporary chapel.
Over 17 priests from the diocese were in attendance, along with several seminarians. A total of over 60 people attended the mass in the chapel
that only held 50. It was a bit crowded but It was a beautiful mass. Monday evening we got the OK to start moving, but the Sisters can't
occupy yet.
The Procession at their new Monastery ...
... more photos below
Tuesday, Nov. 21st
The move starts! Tim & Terry (the twins from Las Vegas) and Larry Pilon, (also from Las Vegas) and my cousin, Don Kobza gathered at 8 AM to start
loading the truck. We were able to take 2 full loads (24' truck) on Tuesday.
Wednesday, Nov 22nd
In addition to Tim, Terry, & Larry, 7 members of the Knights of
Columbus in Valparaiso also helped with the rest of the move. All through the day
we were moving everything but the bare essentials for the Sisters, because we still did not have a permit to occupy. All the help had gone
home and we waited and prayed for the call. Finally at 5:30 PM we got the call. I grabbed my two kids, jumped in the truck and loaded up the
remaining items (nearly a full truck load). In the dark of night, with some of the Sisters in the truck, some with my wife in our car, and some
with Msgr. Thorburn, we made the final trek up to the new monastery. Finally, after all these years, the Sisters are spending their first night in their new monastery. Thanks be to God!!
Thursday, Nov., 23rd
THANKSGIVING DAY. We have so much to be thankful for!!! Beautiful mass with Fr. Dunavan
at 8AM. Sisters spend the day unpacking and getting organized.
Friday, Nov. 24th
Tim & Terry and some of the seminarians (these guys are a Godsend)
meet at Dr. McNealy's. Sister's have a large number of boxes in storage at McNealy's Tim & Terry spend nearly the entire day loading the truck
with VERY HEAVY boxes, statues, furniture etc. They then take it back to the monastery (35 miles away) and unload it for the Sisters.
Saturday, Nov. 25th
More unpacking.
Sunday, Nov 26th
A much needed day of rest. We thank God for getting us this far. We are so blessed. The Sisters have a comfortable home where they have room to
breathe. Their dream of a new monastery is now being realized.
I would like to send a very special thank you to Pat Gagne', Debbie Kuzina, Joyce Semenchuk, Terry & Tim ("the twins") &
Larry. May God reward you for all you did to help the Sisters with this move.
Rev. Mother Teresa wanted me to pass along this message to all of you. Mother Teresa and each of your Sisters send special loving greetings.
Now you know why they have not been writing much... But in the midst of these very busy and very, very happy days, you have been remembered more
than ever in their prayers!
Bob and Sue Masek
Holy Mass of Dedication celebrated  by Archbishop Montalvo (Papal Nuncio) in the temporary chapel. |
Papal Nuncio, Archbishop Montalvo |
 Procession after Mass - Beloved "Mamita" in
wheelchair, the eldest Carmelite Sister |
(click images for larger view)