Hermit monks plan monastery on remote Wyo. ranch [Incomprehensible Opposition to Catholic Monastery in Wyoming]

[Adeodatus]

We had some Russian Othodox nuns in our area who ran into a lot of opposition from environmentalists. Sure, they were close to the San Francisco peninsula, but they were still out in the country in a rural area. No matter how they scaled back their plans, there were loud vocal complaints from the usual environmental groups. The nuns finally gave up and sold the property to a local regional governmental openspace district–which will not be paying property taxes either. (This order of nuns had been run out of Russia and settled in China and then run out of China and settled in San Francisco.)

So they should be used to being run out of Communist regimes by now.

 

[Dee_Dee_King]

“You have before you a request that will impact property values, affect wildlife migration corridors in a manner that can never be recaptured, further limit ranching opportunities in our community, erode our existing landscapes and Western traditions and compromise the values that make Park County an uncut gem in Western cultural landscape,” said rancher Bob Model in a statement last month.

that’s real rancher salt of the earth talk.

Robert Model (born 1942) is the son of Faith Rockefeller Model (1909–1960) and Belgian Jean Model. He is the great-grandson of Standard Oil co-founder William Rockefeller (1841–1922). Model was born in Greenwich, Connecticut.

Model attended The Browning School and then graduated from Elon College in Elon, North Carolina in 1967. He is currently owner and President of Mooncrest Ranch in Cody, Wyoming. Model is Vice President of both Stillrock Management and of Elmrock Capital in New York City. He has previously served as a Director on the boards of CapMAC, Overhills, Inc., and Piggly Wiggly.

so much for a western cultural rancher-cowboy, more like an entitled, silver spooner, arrogant, anti-catholic multi-millionaire from the northeast.

 

[gus]

I just got back from Calif where I visited the Mission of San Louis Rey
I property values near this mission also ,Carmel and Santa Barbara are not depressed because of thier location.

 

[Bob_Aliano]

How could a monastery with a moderately tall steeple possibly spoil the scenery of Wyoming, home to barely half a million people in an area nearly twice the size of England? In Europe, there are thousands of monuments strewn all over the land, and they only enhance areas of natural beauty, such as the Alps or the Riviera. By God’s grace, the monastery will bring to Wyoming a touch of culture and a reminder that, despite a few amazingly small-minded residents, it too is heir to the glorious tradition of Western civilization, of which the Catholic Church is the epitome.

First of all Wyoming already has thousands of acres of very tall, very ugly windmills thanks to the tax-wasting EPA. Secondly, if the steeple is built properly it could produce a pleasant sound as the incessant wind blows through it. Perhaps the monastery could be built of adobe and logs caulked with cow patties, plenty of those around there.

 

[mattkubes]

Time to buy more Mystic Monk coffee.

 

[latin_rite]

They should call it a mosque. That way they would have the support of every left winged nut job in the country.

 

[Another_Mary]

Mary, would you happen to have a news link or other information regarding this case? It sounds very interesting.

Since it happened some time ago I was pleased that there are still articles available:

From the SF Chronicle:
articles.sfgate.com/1999-03-11/news/17680709_1_monastery-open-space-nuns

This one has a little history. From WND, so the story did go national (read it please, even if you don’t like WND):
wnd.com/?pageId=3203

But I am not sure there is any reason to think that environmentalists are the source of the opposition to the planned Carmelite monastery. The opposition seems to be coming from area residents.

But in many cases the local residents are “the environmentalists” or vice versa. I certainly didn’t mean to imply the environmentalists were omnipresent. spirits or something.

Here are some who were (and still are) “the environmentalists” in the case of the nuns:
greenfoothills.org/about/history/2000Convent.html (Believe me, these people did not make it easy to get a link to their little self serving blurb, either. The page was in a popup window that wouldn’t let me cut and paste the URL from the address bar–I had to type it in by hand.)

I know the people in this environmental organization and I have also talked with one of the nuns. Not that this makes me an expert…

 

[Dale_M]

I know the people in this environmental organization and I have also talked with one of the nuns. Not that this makes me an expert…

It sounds like a controversial situation. The San Mateo County Supervisors voted unanimously to strongly recommend that the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District rescind its decision to annex the land. And there was movement in the state legislature to curb the powers of that Open Space District because of the annexation of the nun’s property.
articles.sfgate.com/1998-03-25/news/17716145_1_eminent-domain-russian-church

I guess the nuns lost their fight, because I see they moved to Moss Beach. While there, they had a falling out with the Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia. The nuns agreed to hand over the Moss Beach property in 2011 in exchange for preserving their independence.
groupsrv.com/religion/about36136.html

At the time of the last article (2004) the nuns indicated they would relocate to a remote location out of the Bay Area. Do you happen to know anything about their new/future home? It seems like they have gone through a lot.

(BTW: thanks for all the information!)

 

[Another_Mary]

It sounds like a controversial situation.

It was, but it has dropped off the radar screen. I was going to suggest that anyone interested could probably dig up more info and I see that you did!

they had a falling out with the Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia.

This was kind of scary. The nun I talked to said that there are two factions in the Orthodox Church Ourside of Russia (or maybe inside Russia, too) and one of them wanted their assets…there is a whole story behind it that I don’t have the info to go into. Actually, I thought someone was writing a book about it…

At the time of the last article (2004) the nuns indicated they would relocate to a remote location out of the Bay Area. Do you happen to know anything about their new/future home? It seems like they have gone through a lot.

I will try to get more info. CAF is a good place to share this sort of thing. I have a friend who lives nearby their convent and is in contact with them, so I will try to get current information.

The nuns keep to themselves and I was very lucky to hear what one of them had to say back at the time it was happening.

 

[livnlern]

that’s real rancher salt of the earth talk. so much for a western cultural rancher-cowboy, more like an entitled, silver spooner, arrogant, anti-catholic multi-millionaire from the northeast.

Yeah, it reminds me of Ted Kennedy’s complaints about wind mills on Nantucket Sound. Same arrogant silver spooner talk.

 

[wisdomseeker]

I have to admit that a Gothic cathedral reaching up to 15 stories would look a bit out of place in the Wyoming landscape. Perhaps something a little more aesthetically compatible with the surroundings.

As for people protesting the idea of a monastery nearby we shouldn’t be surprised because people don’t like any type of development close by as it is and get used to hearing municipalities squalling about a lack of taxes being paid on property owned by religious institutions. I think it’s only a matter of time before that privilege is removed by broke, tax hungry cities/towns/counties & states.

The lady complaining about the only contribution to the community to be prayer…well it’s a fine sign of the times and illustrates a total misunderstanding of what a monastery is for and what it does.

the building is to be a light to the world and not be hidden. a gothic Cathedral would be perfect. they will complain today, but once is done, they will come to admire admire. trust me.

 

[Bob_Aliano]

the building is to be a light to the world and not be hidden. a gothic Cathedral would be perfect. they will complain today, but once is done, they will come to admire admire. trust me.

Those of us who live out here on the plains are very aware of how much church spires add to the rural landscape. I’d really miss those tall, cross-bearing pinnacles rising up from an otherwise flat,featureless landscape, grain silos and elevators excepted, if they ever disappeared. I do admit though, I’m having a hard time picturing a Gothic Cathedral jutting up from the middle of nowhere Wyoming!

 

[wisdomseeker]

Those of us who live out here on the plains are very aware of how much church spires add to the rural landscape. I’d really miss those tall, cross-bearing pinnacles rising up from an otherwise flat,featureless landscape, grain silos and elevators excepted, if they ever disappeared. I do admit though, I’m having a hard time picturing a Gothic Cathedral jutting up from the middle of nowhere Wyoming!

all for the Gloria of God. forget us.

 

[Ecoclimber]

The Park County Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously Tuesday night to approve the site plans and special use permits (SUP), with a few conditions, for a proposed monastery and coffee-roasting barn during a continued public hearing.

However, there is one more meeting coming up next week where the final approval will be made so if you felt led you might lift the situation in prayer that they approve the final plans at the next meeting. There is still significant opposition to it as some ranchers believe that there would be a great influx of traffic from people making pilgrimages to the site.

From the Mount Carmel Website

On most birthdays, we are the ones who give presents to the person celebrating their anniversary of birth. Today the Blessed Mother has looked down on this Foundation and the monastery with maternal love and answered our prayers. Last night the New Mount Carmel Foundation received a recommendation of approval from the Planning & Zoning Commission here in Park County for both the monastery and Mystic Monk Coffee. Our Lady is so sweet, so tender and so loving that on Her Birthday, today September 8, She is the one giving the presents. As patroness of the Foundation, Our Lady of Mount Carmel holds our work in Her loving hands. Thank you, Blessed Mother!

After two months of county meetings and hearings, we are now nearer than before to finally have the required special use permits that will allow us to at last close the deal on the Meeteetse, Wyoming ranch that has been under contract for the past six months. This has been a very lengthy process, which has afforded us many opportunities to share the marvelous tradition of the Carmelite monks and the Catholic Church with our new neighbors in the Meeteetse community.

Briefly, the Foundation has been EXTRAORDINARILY busy in preparation for the long anticipated Holy Thursday Groundbreaking, which is still on schedule. Our architect, Mr. McCrery is doing a marvelous job of designing and coordinating the design with the work of our talented engineers. The Foundation has completed its contingencies before closing on the mountain property, with the exception of the Special Use Permits. There have been numerous meetings, both public and private in an effort to obtain the permissions required by the government agencies to relocate the Carmelite Monastery and Mystic Monk Coffee to the mountains. Most importantly, the monastery has been tremendously blessed with seven entries this summer alone. God is blessing the Wyoming Carmelites with solid vocations!

Finally, may God reward you for your faithful prayers and your support! This Board and the Carmelites are all profoundly grateful for your charity as we prepare to breakground in the spring and are raising the funds literally stone by stone. Any contribution at this time is greatly appreciated and of much needed assistance. Some of you have perhaps waited and wondered if and when the Foundation would break ground. This project is on track with the divine assistance of our Blessed Lord Jesus and His Immaculate Mother, so please consider making a financial contribution at this time. Your support will be transformed into a magnificent monastery to endure for a thousand years. Thank you, again!

 

[SamH]

I didn’t say it would “spoil” the scenery but look just a little out of place in the western American landscape. I didn’t say Gothic style architecture is ugly but neither is it required to create holy places of worship and contemplation. New places and times often produce inspiring architecture…such as northern Europe did when Gothic architecture began there. Maybe the same could happen in this case.

Just sayin’.

Actually tall steeples with Gothic architecture is quite common in the prairies of the west. Our church (in Kansas) with its massive Gothic steeple was a landmark used for air navigation though the 1950s.

 

[wisdomseeker]

The Park County Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously Tuesday night to approve the site plans and special use permits (SUP), with a few conditions, for a proposed monastery and coffee-roasting barn during a continued public hearing.

However, there is one more meeting coming up next week where the final approval will be made so if you felt led you might lift the situation in prayer that they approve the final plans at the next meeting. There is still significant opposition to it as some ranchers believe that there would be a great influx of traffic from people making pilgrimages to the site.

From the Mount Carmel Website

On most birthdays, we are the ones who give presents to the person celebrating their anniversary of birth. Today the Blessed Mother has looked down on this Foundation and the monastery with maternal love and answered our prayers. Last night the New Mount Carmel Foundation received a recommendation of approval from the Planning & Zoning Commission here in Park County for both the monastery and Mystic Monk Coffee. Our Lady is so sweet, so tender and so loving that on Her Birthday, today September 8, She is the one giving the presents. As patroness of the Foundation, Our Lady of Mount Carmel holds our work in Her loving hands. Thank you, Blessed Mother!

After two months of county meetings and hearings, we are now nearer than before to finally have the required special use permits that will allow us to at last close the deal on the Meeteetse, Wyoming ranch that has been under contract for the past six months. This has been a very lengthy process, which has afforded us many opportunities to share the marvelous tradition of the Carmelite monks and the Catholic Church with our new neighbors in the Meeteetse community.

Briefly, the Foundation has been EXTRAORDINARILY busy in preparation for the long anticipated Holy Thursday Groundbreaking, which is still on schedule. Our architect, Mr. McCrery is doing a marvelous job of designing and coordinating the design with the work of our talented engineers. The Foundation has completed its contingencies before closing on the mountain property, with the exception of the Special Use Permits. There have been numerous meetings, both public and private in an effort to obtain the permissions required by the government agencies to relocate the Carmelite Monastery and Mystic Monk Coffee to the mountains. Most importantly, the monastery has been tremendously blessed with seven entries this summer alone. God is blessing the Wyoming Carmelites with solid vocations!

Finally, may God reward you for your faithful prayers and your support! This Board and the Carmelites are all profoundly grateful for your charity as we prepare to breakground in the spring and are raising the funds literally stone by stone. Any contribution at this time is greatly appreciated and of much needed assistance. Some of you have perhaps waited and wondered if and when the Foundation would break ground. This project is on track with the divine assistance of our Blessed Lord Jesus and His Immaculate Mother, so please consider making a financial contribution at this time. Your support will be transformed into a magnificent monastery to endure for a thousand years. Thank you, again!

blessed be God now and forever! amen.

 

[zdon011]

http://www.salon.com/wires/image.html?image=814ed1b5-c6d1-44bf-95a4-1aefe548e715@news.ap.org.jpg

salon.com/wires/us/2010/09/25/D9IF3O1O0_us_wyoming_monastery/index.html

How could people put up with the soulless, mass-produced concrete/steel/glass monstrosities that pass for ‘architecture’ these days, and yet claim that the sublime edifice in that picture might ‘deface the local lanscape’?

Being where they are, I suspect there’s a bit of homesy Protestant ignorance behinf the complaints. Or irreligious frontier attitudes.

 

[Bob_Aliano]

Actually tall steeples with Gothic architecture is quite common in the prairies of the west. Our church (in Kansas) with its massive Gothic steeple was a landmark used for air navigation though the 1950s.

Now that you mention it there is such a steeple visible to the South of I-70, seems like it was in the vicinity of Abilene or maybe more to the West.

 

[ToeInTheWater]

This has been a very lengthy process, which has afforded us many opportunities to share the marvelous tradition of the Carmelite monks and the Catholic Church with our new neighbors in the Meeteetse community.

I think the proposed buildings are beautiful, and I also admire the charitable attitude the monks have taken toward their neighbors. Of course, not that I’d expect the monks to publicly complain about the situation. But not everyone in this circumstance would describe it in such a positive way.

I think I might go try that Mystic Monk coffee (not sure I’m allowed to post a link here, but I did Google it and they do have a website!)

 

[zdon011]

They should call it a mosque. That way they would have the support of every left winged nut job in the country.

:clapping:
I know that’s facetious, tongue-in-cheek, and un-PC, but it’s just SO GOOD!