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On October 15, 2003, the Most Reverend David L. Ricken, Bishop of the Diocese of Cheyenne, blessed the newest Carmelite monastery in the United States,
the Carmel of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Clark, Wyo.
The birth of a new community requires many essential elements for its survival. Not only is it dependent on the Carmelites living the fullness of their charism, but also the building of the monastery complex is dependent in a major way on the charity of good-hearted lay people.
Through its many construction and fundraising projects undertaken on the monks' behalf, Council 4031 is committed to assist the monks in accomplishing their three-fold vision of building
a monastery of 30 monks, a Carmelite Retreat Center, and a community of cloistered nuns.
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Council members Chris Maslak, Dennis Beaudrie, and Jerry Boydston built an altar for the monastery chapel, using ancient designs and topping it with marble. Later, council members Jim Woodward, Roger Koontz, and Paul Sibley joined in to erect the monastery's bell tower and groom the driveway. |
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Many council members worked together to build the monks a Reception House; one half of the 20' x 15' wooden structure is used to greet visitors, while the other half serves as guest quarters for men interested in embracing the monastic way of life. Council members also assisted the monks in constructing a fence to enclose the monastery grounds. |
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Council 4031 formed the Monastery Guild to create a greater awareness of the Carmel of the Immaculate Heart of Mary throughout the diocese. Over the summer, guild organizers visited nine parishes in the western part of the state with a Power Point presentation developed by Jim Bell and Vin Cappiello. Plans are now being made to begin construction of a new "quad" hermitage. |
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