Special Projects, Building Repairs and Maintenance

We, the Nuns of the Carmel of the Holy Family and Saint Thérèse, are grateful for all of our friends, families, and benefactors who support us in our mission of prayer and intercession for the Church and the people of the world. Without your kind support, we would be unable to continue our lives of prayer. We remember in our daily prayers and sacrifices all those who do good to us, as our Holy Mother Saint Teresa of Jesus recommended. The Lord rewards anything done for us, as though it were done for Him. May He reward you abundantly for your faithful generosity!

Below are some of our Fundraising needs, specifically for Special Projects, Building Repairs and Maintenance.

Details

Water Heaters

We currently seeking to raise approximately $11,000 to replace two failing water heaters that are essential to the daily operation of our facilities for our community. The project includes the purchase and installation of a LP Gas 100 Gallon Water Heater and an Electric 80 GallonWater Heater. The total estimated cost covers not only the equipment, but also professional plumbing labor, required parts and system modifications, disposal of the old units, permits, and installation. Reliable hot water is critical to maintaining a safe, functional, and welcoming environment for our community. By helping us fund this much-needed infrastructure upgrade, donors will make a lasting investment in our community's ability to continue uplifting our brothers and sisters in prayer.

Eaves Repair

Mother Christine really wanted to keep the Mission look on the exterior of our Monastery, and the eaves are part of it. Since it is the entry way, it is very visible. Many other areas have been repaired using the least expensive approach, covering the eaves and losing the rustic look. The condition of the eaves has been degrading over time. Recently, due to severe weather conditions, they need repair to protect them. We are considering splitting the project into a tiered strategy, in an effort to keep a professional budget down to a highly competitive $3,800 to $4,500. 

Tier 1: Severe Care & Capping (15 Rafters / 25%): Reserved for the ends with deep, spongy rot. These get the full liquid epoxy consolidation, wood paste reconstruction, and protective dark bronze aluminum caps.

Tier 2: Preventative Sealing & Painting (45 Rafters / 75%): Applied to the mostly healthy timber. These get light surface scraping, flexible polyurethane sealant injected into surface cracks to stop water intrusion, and a heavy protective coat of matching dark brown paint or solid exterior stain.

Entry Arch Base Repair (Pillars Repair)

At the entrance to the Monastery, we have a series of arched pillars. The bottom two feet of these pillars all suffer from "splash-back" (rain hitting the concrete walkway and bouncing upward) and standing water. These pillars are covered with standard stucco. Unfortunately, standard stucco fails in high-moisture splash zones because it absorbs water and cracks during temperature changes.

The lower 24 inches of these arches are a structural vulnerability. We are considering replacing the vulnerable stucco with a durable, non-porous natural stone wainscot combined with proper internal flashing, to create a permanent shield against groundwater penetration. Our hope is to keep eaves consistent with the Mission Style appearance, while increasing the longevity of life for the arches.

Garden Well Water System

We have a fairly substantial Garden Well Water Filtration system which is in great need of being replaced. Specifically, we are looking into the cost of Commercial cylinders and a new water softener system. We received an estimate for this, which was around $8,000. In addition, we need the tank cleaned out as well, which is estimated to cost an additional $3,000. So the total estimate for updating our Garden well system is approx $11,000.

Lawn Renewal

We have a sizable lawn area inside the enclosure which has deteriorated over the years. This is partially due to the surrounding trees and shade which have contributed to the current condition. A good type of seed and topsoil are needed for the specific setting, which would mean removing the current layer, adding soil and seed that is suitable to ensure this does not fail in the future. The recommended estimate for this type of work is around $4,250. The work will involve tree limb removal but at this time we are not including that in the estimate. 

Personal Care Facility Remodeling

As several of our Sisters have grown elderly and infirm, our monastery's personal care facilities must be remodeled to meet their changing needs and provide a safe, accessible environment. The renovations include removing outdated bathrooms, reinforcing subfloors, upgrading plumbing for accessible toilets and roll-in showers, installing swing-out sinks, high-traction flooring, grab bars, improved lighting, and completing the necessary permits and structural inspections. The estimated cost of these essential improvements is between $24,800 and $42,300—a significant expense for our small, cloistered community. Any gift, no matter the size, will help us provide our elderly Sisters with the dignity, safety, and care they deserve. We are deeply grateful for your kindness and generosity, and we promise to remember you and your loved ones in our daily prayers before the Lord.

Roofing Repair

In addition to caring for our elderly Sisters, we are also faced with the need to repair and replace several large portions of the aging roofs throughout our Monastery. For more than forty years, our Spanish-style concrete tile roofs have faithfully protected our buildings, but time, weather, and damage from falling tree branches have caused many of the tiles to crack and deteriorate. Because these concrete tiles also provide an important measure of fire protection, replacing the damaged sections has become a matter of both safety and stewardship. The roofs in need of repair include the Guest House garage ($7,000), the Chaplain's carport ($9,500), the Pump House ($5,000), the Ephesus Pump House ($9,000), and the Priest's Sacristy ($5,000). In addition, the Caretaker's garage requires a new asphalt shingle roof at an estimated cost of $5,500. These necessary repairs are beyond the financial means of our small, cloistered community. 

If God inspires you to help us preserve the monastery that has been our home of prayer for so many years, we would be deeply grateful. Your generosity will help protect our buildings, safeguard those who live and worship here, and allow us to continue our vocation of prayer for the needs of the Church and the world. Please know that every benefactor is remembered with gratitude in our daily prayers.

Stucco Repair

We also ask for your assistance in restoring the stucco on several of our monastery buildings. Decades of exposure to sun, wind, rain, and the passage of time have caused significant deterioration to the exterior surfaces that protect and preserve our monastery. These repairs are needed for the Bell Tower ($2,200), the interior of our Chapel ($850), the Chapel's exterior wall ($6,500), seventeen supporting columns ($3,050), and the enclosure walls surrounding our monastery ($12,900), for a total estimated cost of $25,500. As we strive to care faithfully for the monastery entrusted to us, we humbly ask you to consider helping us preserve these sacred buildings for future generations. Every contribution, whether large or small, is a blessing to our community, and we will gratefully remember you and your loved ones in our daily prayers.

Monastery Driveway Repair

Perhaps our greatest material need is the complete replacement of the main driveway leading to our monastery. After many years of use, severe weather, and the natural movement of the land, the concrete has become badly cracked in several places and can no longer be safely repaired. Because the driveway must support heavy multi-axle delivery trucks that bring essential supplies to our monastery, it must be completely rebuilt with a reinforced concrete foundation designed for long-term durability. This extensive project includes demolition and root removal, erosion repair and subgrade reinforcement, new concrete, heavy steel rebar, skilled grading and finishing, and the required county permits. The total estimated cost is between $34,160 and $48,000. We humbly ask you to prayerfully consider helping us with this most significant undertaking. Your generosity will provide safe and reliable access to our monastery for years to come, ensuring that the daily needs of our community can continue to be met. As always, we gratefully remember every benefactor in our prayers and entrust your intentions to the loving care of Our Lord and Our Blessed Mother.