The library of the once famous French Oratorian school of Juilly, closed in 2012. Now a monument to Catholic intellectual decline.

Courtesy of Le Forum Catholique (posted by JVJ).

The discalced Carmelite nuns of the Monastery of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and St. Joseph have scheduled their final Mass in their Brooklyn monastery this Monday, Dec. 12 at 6:45 am. They will be moving to a new monastery in Pleasant Mount, PA. Here is the announcement on their website:

It is with both joy and sorrow that we share with you the news that our Community will be moving to a new location at Pleasant Mount, PA . Please keep us in your prayers, and be assured of our continued prayers for you.

The website explains the reason for the move:

“Our Carmelite Monastery, in the Diocese of Brooklyn, is located next to a park (just 10 feet away from our enclosre wall) which has proved to be a real problem and in recent times, even a danger for our Community.  The noise level coming from the park has always been a difficulty, but this past year it has grown to be unbearable, especially following the outbreak of the pandemic and the curtailment of the police. The area directly behind our wall has become a hangout for gangs who blast horrendous music (if one can call it music) all hours of the night.

“Worse than the noise, however, is the late night carousing, drinking and drugs, as well as the evidence of satanic rituals just feet away from us. Under such conditions it is impossible for our Community to grow and flourish.  We have several inquiries from young woman who feel called to our Carmel; however it would be impossible to receive them at our present location.  In addition, a rural setting would be a great help and stimulus to contemplative life and with the uncertainty of these times, it would afford us the opportunity to be more self-sufficient.”

A 13-acre property near Scranton “abounding in silence” was donated to the nuns. The nuns plan to build an authentic Spanish carmel  “like those in which Our Holy Mother, St. Teresa of Jesus and her daughters lived.”

The nuns are looking for donations. For more information visit their website

Strolling by the locked and forlorn Centro Maria today – in the distant past the parish of St.Ambrose. Closed by the Archdiocese in 2020 and reported sold (resold?) in January 2022 for $25 million. (Hells Kitchen Development Site Sells for $25M (Bldup Newsletter, 1/10/2022)

It now awaits demolition – how long before that occurs?

For the historical background of the parish, the womens’ residence and the sale, see these reports:

Soon to Go. The School and Church of St. Ambrose–539-547 West 54th Street (Daytonian in Manhattan, 10/12/2022)

The End of the Churches – the Former Parish of St.Ambrose (The Society of St. Hugh of Cluny, 10/28/2021)

The Churches of New York XLVI: Losses 5 (The Society of St Hugh of Cluny, 10/1/2013) (On the two former parishes of St. Leo and St. Ambrose)

The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Mother is this Thursday, Dec. 8th. This feast day is a holy day of obligation. The following churches will offer traditional Masses:

Connecticut

St. Mary Church, Norwalk, Solemn Mass, 7 pm

St. Pius X, Fairfield, CT, 7 pm, Fr. Richard Cipolla, celebrant

Sacred Heart Oratory, Georgetown, CT, Missa Cantata, 6 pm, tree lighting at 7:30, carols, mulled wine and merriment to follow.

Sts. Cyril and Methodius Oratory, Bridgeport, low Mass at 7:45, Missa Cantata at 6 pm

St. Patrick Oratory, Waterbury, low Mass at 8 am, Missa Cantata and Benediction at 6 pm

CANCELLED: St. Stanislaus Church, New Haven, low Mass at 5:30 pm

St. Martha, Enfield, CT, Missa Cantata, 7 pm

St. Michael, Pawcatuck, Conn. 6 PM

New York

Holy Innocents Church, New York, 8 am low Mass, 6 pm Missa Cantata

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, New York, NY, Low Masses at 7 am and 7:45 am; Missa Cantata at 7 pm.

Monastery of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel and St. Joseph, Brooklyn, 7:30 am

St. Josaphat Church, Bayside (Queens), NY, 7 pm

St. Rocco Church, Glen Cove, NY (Long Island), 7 pm

St. Paul the Apostle, Yonkers, NY, 12 noon

Immaculate Conception Church, Sleepy Hollow, NY, low Mass, 7 pm

Annunciation/Our Lady of Fatima, Crestwood, NY, lower church, 7 pm.

St Mary and St Andrew Church in Ellenville NY, 7 pm

New Jersey

Our Lady of Sorrows, Jersey City, 7 pm, Missa Cantata, Fr. John Perricone celebrant

Our Lady of Victories, Harrington Park NJ, low Mass, 5:30 pm

Shrine Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, Raritan, NJ, 7 pm

Corpus Christi Church, South River, NJ, Missa Cantata, 7 pm

St. John the Baptist, Allentown, NJ, 7 pm

St. Catherine Laboure, Middletown, NJ, 9 am

Today at the altar of Our Lady at the Church of St Cyril and Methodius, Bridgeport, CT. See our post : Novena of the Immaculate Conception in Bridgeport and Waterbury.