October 9, 2024
Together We Advance!
It’s happening! Finally!!! Just before dawn on Friday, October 4th, construction actually began on our brand new Greenfield Chapel. October 4th just happens to be the feast day of St. Francis. Somehow that seems fitting.
All it took to get things underway was a couple of dry days in a row. Then, heavy equipment rumbled up the lane and workers started digging.
A Very Special Hole in the Ground
At this point they’re digging what looks like a basic hole in the ground. Don’t be fooled, however. This dig entails precisely engineered measurements, and it’s going to take several days.
Our chapel is being built on a hill. So of course that means workers will need to cut into the hill at just the right angle so the foundation and the floors above will be perfectly level. Eye-balling it won’t do; they’ll need the help of lasers and engineers to get that hole done just right.
Before the foundation gets poured, workers are also digging deep holes for the footings. Footings (also called footers) are poured concrete structures, sometimes including rebar, that support the foundation itself, while the foundation supports the building above.
A whole lot of digging and measuring needs to take place before the foundation and footings are poured and actual components of the building itself make an appearance. We’ll keep you posted, every step of the way. We have created a timelapse video of the work done on the first day, October 4, 2024, compressing eight hours into a two-minute video on YouTube. When you get there, read the text below the video for more details. Our plan is to have timelapse videos each week for the duration of the project.
Stay Tuned for Regular Updates
Bottom line: How long will it be before we get to meditate in our new chapel?
Builders envision completion as soon as September 2025. But that will depend on things like availability of machinery and work crews, not to mention the weather. Significant snow could slow things down significantly. And, of course, there are multiple inspections as each phase is completed. (Alas, we know from experience how long the approval process can take.)
In coming weeks, we aim to provide regular progress reports, along with lots of pictures. In the meantime, life goes on at Greenfield. As always, there’s a lot happening:
Regional Retreat Draws Devotees From Afar
The last weekend in September was a busy one for Greenfield: On the 26th, commemorative service for Lahiri Mahasaya’s mahasamadhi; from Sept. 27 to 29, a retreat that drew more than 70 devotees from 10 different states; then, on Sept. 30, a commemorative service for Lahiri Mahasaya’s birthday.
Now ask yourself: Do you think maybe the nuns who reside in the ashram at Greenfield and the many dedicated volunteers who serve at Greenfield were busy that weekend?
The answer, of course, is YES!
Serving Master’s Family
All of these events were held at the nearby 4-H Center. Let’s take just a moment to acknowledge and appreciate all the behind-the-scenes work (guru seva) that goes into preparing for and conducting multiple events over a five-day period.
Greenfield was honored to host and house the two SRF and YSS monks who conducted the retreats and commemorative services—Brother Jitananda and Brahmachari Bhaskarananda.
Breakfasts and lunches provided for retreatants were prepared at Greenfield, delivered to the 4-H Center, and served by nuns who live at Greenfield, assisted by women on work retreat at Greenfield.
A team of volunteers—local devotees along with some who drove in from a distance to help out—set up the altar, arranged seating, managed parking, set up and took care of audio-visuals, handled registration, answered questions and generally met the needs of retreatants. Then, they cleaned up afterwards.
Sacred Silence, Precious Time
As always taking the time to mediate together and focus on deepening our understanding of Master’s teachings refreshes the spirit. As Brother Jitananda said: “We retreat in order to advance.”
Here are two photos of the dig, plus if you missed it above, the link to the timelapse video:
Here is a selection of pictures taken during the retreat:
