Combing the historical significance of the Christmas Nativity with the diversity of cultures and artists that have interpreted it through the ages, "Finding Bethlehem" guides you thoughtful commentaries of theologians and collectors alike, to artist statements and the voices of "behind-thes-scenes" participants in the Festival, the book explores the spiritual and artistic meaning of the Nativity.
Dedication of the Columbarium
In the early evening of Sunday, June 17, the monks, with friends and benefactors, dedicated the Columbarium at Mepkin Abbey. Almost 200 people attended the event, including many who have purchased niches.
Fr. Guerric Heckel presided at the dedication ceremony which included music by a brass ensemble, and remarks by Susan Conant, lead designer for the project; Thomas Campbell whose wife is inurned in the Columbarium; and Abbot Stan. The ceremony concluded with the brass ensemble leading the congregation down the Columbarium path while playing “When the Saints Go Marching In.”
After the dedication, Jim Rozier, Columbarium manager, said that almost all of the niches in Phase 1 have been sold and plans are being made to begin the second phase.
Read More »Columbarium Project Moves Forward
From L to R - Susan Conant (Columbarium Designer), Judith Kramer (Designer Assistant), Br. John Corrigan (Cellarer), Fr. Guerric Heckel (Committee Chair), Jim Rozier (Columbarium Manager), Fr. Stanislaus Gumula (Abbot), missing Robbie Metts (Assistant Manager), Dottie Roddy and Weldon Schenck
Mepkin Abbey’s Columbarium Committee met, July 14, 2011, and finalized its decision to begin construction. Within two weeks of completed “construction drawings” the committee will order the niches. Niches typically take from 18 to 20 weeks to construct. Site preparation will be determined by early August.
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