|
| |
With the completion of our monastery in March, 2008, we reflect
on how it all happened and give thanks to God and all of our benefactors.
 |
In 1998 Bishop Anthony Milone wrote to the president of the Holy Name
Federation of Poor Clares to invite Poor Clares to make a foundation in the
diocese of Great Falls-Billings.
|
| In 1998 Sister Clare
Frances McAvoy, the president of the Holy Name Federation of Poor Clares, took
two different delegations of sisters to Great Falls to meet Bishop Milone and
to discuss the possibility of a foundation. |
 |
In April, 1999 when
the Federation Chapter approved making the foundation, she took a third
delegation to negotiate an agreement between the Poor Clares and the Diocese
of Great Falls-Billings. |
 |
Four sisters from four different monasteries along the east coast
volunteered to go to Montana to begin the foundation. After they received permission
from their respective communities: Greenville, S.C., Andover, MA, Bordentown,
NJ, and Bronx, NY, to do so and from the Holy See, they began preparations to
move to Great Falls, Montana. |
| On September 30, 1999 Sisters Catherine Cook, Jane Sorenson, Judith Ann
Crosby and Maryalice Pierce arrived in Great Falls to take up
residence in the former rectory next to St. Joseph Church until a monastery could
be built. |
|
 |
April 27, 2003 marked the groundbreaking for our monastery, Bishop
Milone, the Mayor of Great Falls, and many friends gathered for this occasion.
|
|
In October , 2004 construction began on the first phase of the monastery building,
the living quarters for the sisters. |
 |
L'Heureux Page Werner PC was chosen as the
architectural firm and Dennis O'Leary, Inc. as the contractor. It was decided to
build the monastery in three phases: the living quarters for the sisters, the
chapel building, and the retreat and work space. |
 |
On November 5, 2005, the living area was
completed and ready for occupancy. Thus the sisters, with the help of many
friends, moved in. It was only a matter of a week or so before work
began on the second phase, the chapel building. |
We joyfully watched, as the chapel building, which houses the chapel itself,
the center of our life of prayer, a large conference room and two visiting
parlors grew to completion
|
 |
May 12, 2007, marked the dedication of the chapel and completion of the
chapel building. Bishop Milone, although retired by then, returned to celebrate
the beautiful Liturgy of dedication of St. Clare Chapel. |
 |
The third phase of the monastery was begun several weeks later through the
generosity of benefactors. In March of 2008 the final part of the
building was completed. Our dream of a monastery in Montana is a reality. |
Who are the Poor Clares? Community
News Our Beginnings
Community
Our Life Community
Newsletter Reflections
An Invitation
Helpful Links
Contact Us
Volunteer Wish List
Holy Name Federation
Saint
of the Day
Minute
Meditation Memorials
|
