Saturday, June 16, 2012

Contemplative Nuns Relocate

Current News ...As Promised



         The Redempstoristine Nuns, formerly of Esopus, New York are eager to remain in contact with all their friends. We are newly relocated to the grounds of Cabrini West Park along Route 9W, just five miles south of our old home. In the last year and a half our community has followed a demanding path, searching for and investigating scores of possible sites for a suitable permanent home. There were great hopes for a former friary in an urban area of New Jersey where we could happily relocate and be part of the local Church community in a new way. Unfortunately issues involving a buried leaking 4,000 gallon fuel oil tank made it necessary to withdraw from the purchase contract at the end of April. There remained little more than a month in which to find a temporary home for the community and its monastic furnishings.
          Our current home includes the lower level of the administration building (kitchen, dining room, common room and nine bedrooms with baths), two offices on its first floor, use of a lovely chapel and ample space for storage.  The view of the river fills us with awe. May not seem possible but it is an even more beautiful view than the one offered by the Mount. However, our presence on the property is invisible to those passing by.
Except for the time of daily Mass, visitors must ring the bell at the side service entrance to access the Redemptoristine quarters. The common room has been arranged to accommodate the cape sewing room (in full swing at the height of the season), computers and mailroom as well as makeshift community room space. While far from ideal, we are nonetheless grateful to the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart for their willingness to rent this space to us at such short notice. In the spirit of Mother Cabrini they have once again welcomed immigrants into their midst.
          The move itself was quite a marathon – three days of packing by the movers, two days of loading trucks and two more days of unloading. It was a blessing that we were able to welcome the return of our older sisters from a Carmelite monastery the day after the movers left. Our first Mass took place the next day, Trinity Sunday. The sisters who facilitated the move appreciated three days of generous overnight hospitality from the Benedictine Sisters in Kingston.
          We will be taking some time to recuperate from the rigors of transition and formulate a plan for the next stage of their journey. We pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit in our discernment and count on the support of your prayers. Mailing address and telephone number remain the same. The physical address is Cabrini West Park, 2085 Route 9W, West Park, NY, 12493. The sisters maintain a community Facebook Page which can be checked for updates. In addition, a new edition of our website is about to be launched.

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