Saint Thomas Aquinas Priory Campaign http://www.stapriory.org Wed, 08 Feb 2012 01:22:31 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Weekly Update http://www.stapriory.org/2012/02/weekly-update/ http://www.stapriory.org/2012/02/weekly-update/#comments Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:51:42 +0000 ldonlon http://www.stapriory.org/?p=856 Weekly Update – Now that the foundation work is predominantly done, the building is daily more visible above ground. The Chapel roof trusses were installed late last week and the Chapel under-roofing is nearly complete. The walls of the main Priory building are in the process of being placed – especially noticeable are the friar’s rooms on the first floor level of the East side of the building. The main entrance along Midmont Lane and refectory room are framed in, as are the guest and parlor rooms. Behind the scenes, fundraising continues. We are $2.1M short of our goal. Fr. Dominic Izzo, OP visits St. Thomas Aquinas Parish next week and will meet with various donors. Plans for the new crypt – St. Vincent Ferrer Columbarium – are in the process of finalization.

]]> http://www.stapriory.org/2012/02/weekly-update/feed/ 0 Lay Fraternities in Support of the new Priory in Charlottesville http://www.stapriory.org/2012/01/lay-fraternities-in-support-of-the-new-priory-in-charlottesville/ http://www.stapriory.org/2012/01/lay-fraternities-in-support-of-the-new-priory-in-charlottesville/#comments Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:14:56 +0000 ldonlon http://www.stapriory.org/?p=788 Fr. Dominic Izzo, OP, the Director of the Dominican Foundation and Vicar Provincial for Advancement for the Province of St. Joseph has scheduled a series of presentations to the Chapters of the Lay Fraternities of St. Dominic. His intent is to provide information concerning the fundraising and building progress for the new Priory in Charlottesville. The Lay Fraternities has already pledged and received naming rights for the Refectory of the Priory.

Recent visits include:

Jan 8 – Summit, NJ: Caldwell College Chapter, Sacred Heart Chapter and Holy Rosary Chapter. They met at the Monastery of Our Lady of the Rosary

Jan 15 – Washington, DC: Immaculate Conception Chapter

Jan 22 – New Haven, CT: St. Mary’s Chapter and Mother of God Chapter

]]> http://www.stapriory.org/2012/01/lay-fraternities-in-support-of-the-new-priory-in-charlottesville/feed/ 0 Special Use Permit Approved http://www.stapriory.org/2012/01/special-use-permit/ http://www.stapriory.org/2012/01/special-use-permit/#comments Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:06:31 +0000 ldonlon http://www.stapriory.org/?p=766 Title: Special Use Permit Approved
Location: Charlottesville
Link out: Click here
Description: The Charlottesville City Council voted to approve the Special Use Permit for the establishment of an indoor cemetery (Columbarium) in the crypt of the new Priory building at St.Thomas Aquinas Church.
Date: 2012-01-03

Event details

  • Begin: January 3, 2012
  • End: January 3, 2012 at
  • Add to your calendar: Download ics file
  • Place: Charlottesville, VA
]]> http://www.stapriory.org/2012/01/special-use-permit/feed/ 0 January Progress http://www.stapriory.org/2012/01/january-progress/ http://www.stapriory.org/2012/01/january-progress/#comments Thu, 19 Jan 2012 16:21:40 +0000 ldonlon http://www.stapriory.org/?p=760 Progress is clearly being made! Workman have laid the groundwork for plumbing throughout the main building, with the likelihood of rapid growth as the building goes up. They have also begun the early stages of framing for the main entrance; and the entry is beginning to be clearly defined and visible to passersby. The chapel walls are nearly complete, giving a real sense of this new sacred space. The addition of roof trusses is on the schedule for next week. In the meantime, fundraising continues with just under $2.2 million still to be raised.

Even as the priory becomes more and more of a visible reality, the project continues to take on a new, exciting, and invigorating shape, increasing our enthusiasm and giving all supporters great joy.

Event details

  • Begin: February 9, 2012
  • End: February 9, 2012 at
  • Add to your calendar: Download ics file
  • Place: 98 Midmont Lane, Charlottesville, VA
]]> http://www.stapriory.org/2012/01/january-progress/feed/ 0 Work Progresses on the New Priory http://www.stapriory.org/2012/01/work-progresses-on-the-new-priory/ http://www.stapriory.org/2012/01/work-progresses-on-the-new-priory/#comments Thu, 19 Jan 2012 16:14:45 +0000 ldonlon http://www.stapriory.org/?p=750 Workmen have nearly finished laying the foundation. They are installing the framing for the building; the Chapel in particular is taking shape before our very eyes. Meanwhile, electrical work, plumbing, furnishings, etc. are all on track behind the scenes for our projected move-in date on the Feast of St. Joseph – March 19, 2013.

January 2012 January 2012 January 2012 January 2012 January 2012

January 5, 2012

Event details

  • Begin: February 9, 2012
  • End: February 9, 2012 at
  • Add to your calendar: Download ics file
  • Place: 98 Midmont Lane, Charlottesville, VA
]]> http://www.stapriory.org/2012/01/work-progresses-on-the-new-priory/feed/ 0 Sacred and Set In Stone http://www.stapriory.org/2011/12/ceremonial-placement-of-st-dominic-medal/ http://www.stapriory.org/2011/12/ceremonial-placement-of-st-dominic-medal/#comments Mon, 12 Dec 2011 07:30:09 +0000 ldonlon http://www.stapriory.org/?p=777 2011 12 12 Ceremony - Medal Placement in Apse 006 2011 12 12 medal ceremony 002

Fr. Luke placed a medal of St. Dominic in the concrete that will be under the altar of the new Priory Chapel. This medal was taken to Italy before the project began and was touched to the tombs of St. Dominic, St. Catherine of Siena, Pope St. Pius V, and Blessed Fra Angelico. In this “concrete” way, our current endeavor is linked to the origin and history of the Dominican Order!

]]> http://www.stapriory.org/2011/12/ceremonial-placement-of-st-dominic-medal/feed/ 0 Priory in the news http://www.stapriory.org/2011/05/priory-in-the-news/ http://www.stapriory.org/2011/05/priory-in-the-news/#comments Wed, 25 May 2011 02:36:53 +0000 admin http://www.stapriory.org/?p=636 NBC 29 did a news report on the priory.

]]> http://www.stapriory.org/2011/05/priory-in-the-news/feed/ 0 Breaking Ground for the Charlottesville Priory http://www.stapriory.org/2011/04/groundbreaking-pictures/ http://www.stapriory.org/2011/04/groundbreaking-pictures/#comments Thu, 21 Apr 2011 02:55:17 +0000 admin http://www.stapriory.org/?p=592 On Tuesday, April 12, 2011, a groundbreaking and blessing marked the beginning of a new era for the Dominican Friars in Charlottesville. The excitement was palpable, with a crowd of supporting friars, parishioners, and neighbors standing by to watch as Fr. Luke Clark, O.P., pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas Church, and Fr. Joseph Scordo, O.P., one of his parochial vicars, happily shoved their golden shovels into the pile of dirt ceremonially provided for the occasion. At their side stood Archbishop Augustine DiNoia, O.P., Secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship, also equipped with a golden shovel. His was the first attack on the mound—demonstrating with his smile and vigorous spade-wielding how joyful the occasion was for all Dominicans, especially in the Province of Saint Joseph.

The groundbreaking was, perhaps a simple affair (even with the sumptuous celebratory reception parishioners arranged for it), but, indeed, signifies a remarkable achievement for Charlottesville. The priory is a visible commitment of the Dominicans to the Charlottesville and University of Virginia community for the coming century. As Archbishop DiNoia articulated clearly in his remarks at the groundbreaking and at the Inaugural Ceremony the following day for the new President of UVA, the kinship between the Dominican Friars and Mr. Jefferson’s University is a natural and an important one. It is a joyful thing to anticipate the continuing growth and fruitful labors of the Order of Preachers at so vibrant a font of learning. The attendance of so many students and faculty at the groundbreaking shows clearly that the excitement is shared across and around the lovely Grounds of the University.

Donations are joyfully welcomed. For more information, please contact Lori Donlon (priorysta@gmail.com; 434-293-8081).

Cross posted from the Dominican Daily

Watch a video of the Groundbreaking ceremony.

2011 04 12 DiNoia and Clark Plaques 2011 04 12 DiNoia Clark & Scordo 1 2011 04 12 Friars & Fogarty 2 2011 04 12 Shovels in Hand 1 2011 04 12 Shovels in Hand 2 2011 04 12 Sprinkling Holy Water 1 2011 04 12 The Blessing 1 2011 04 12 The Shovels ]]> http://www.stapriory.org/2011/04/groundbreaking-pictures/feed/ 0 Groundbreaking Ceremony http://www.stapriory.org/2011/04/groundbreaking-ceremony/ http://www.stapriory.org/2011/04/groundbreaking-ceremony/#comments Mon, 11 Apr 2011 18:14:48 +0000 admin http://www.stapriory.org/?p=578 PRESS RELEASE

WHAT: Groundbreaking
WHEN: 6:15 PM Tuesday, April 12, 2011
WHERE: St. Thomas Aquinas University of Virginia Catholic Church, Alderman Rd, Charlottesville
OF INTEREST: Construction is beginning on a Dominican priory to house Dominican Friars near UVA. This priory is a visible commitment of the Dominicans to the Charlottesville and UVA community for the coming century.
ATTENDEES: Archbishop Augustine DiNoia, OP, Secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship as well as friars, parishioners, friends, and benefactors.
MORE INFORMATION: Lori Donlon (priorysta@gmail.com; 434-293-8081)

CONSTRUCTION BEGINS FOR DOMINICAN PRIORY TO SERVE THE CHARLOTTESVILLE AND UVA COMMUNITY

(CHARLOTTESVILLE) – A groundbreaking and blessing next week will mark the beginning of construction on a priory to house the Dominican Friars.

Representatives from the Dominican Friars of the Province of St. Joseph, architectural firm Gorman Architects, plc, general contractor Alexander/Nicholson, Inc., and the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic community are expected to participate in a groundbreaking for the new priory at 6:15 p.m. Tuesday, April 12, at 401 Alderman Rd. Abp. Augustine DiNoia, O.P. will lead a blessing assisted by the pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas, Rev. Luke Clark, O.P.

A priory is a residence for a religious community. As designed, the Charlottesville Dominican priory of St. Thomas Aquinas is anticipated to house a minimum of six friars with future expansion possibilities of up to twelve friars. Each friar will undertake various ministries in the local community. This $5.3 million project will result in about twelve thousand square feet of living, study, and worship space for the Dominican Friars.

The Dominican Order was founded in 1216. St. Dominic sent his followers to University centers where they studied, taught and preached in order to demonstrate the reasonableness and beauty of the Gospel. They attracted a large following among students and faculty. By the end of the 14th century, the Dominican Order was firmly established at all of the major Universities in Europe. For over fifty years, the Dominicans have continued this tradition at UVA, ministering to students, faculty, and staff. The priory will enable the friars to better serve the university and the Charlottesville community.

“The Dominicans envision St. Thomas Aquinas Priory as the cornerstone of an emerging Catholic center of excellence in our community – spiritual, cultural and academic excellence – in the centuries-old Dominican tradition. (Tom Laux, Parishioner)

“Having a priory in Charlottesville will help ensure an increase in the number of Dominican Friars available to support the growing spiritual needs of both the Saint Thomas Aquinas and the University communities.” (Paul Harnois, Parishioner)

]]> http://www.stapriory.org/2011/04/groundbreaking-ceremony/feed/ 0 Groundbreaking for the Dominican Priory http://www.stapriory.org/2011/04/groundbreaking-for-the-dominican-priory/ http://www.stapriory.org/2011/04/groundbreaking-for-the-dominican-priory/#comments Fri, 01 Apr 2011 20:06:13 +0000 admin http://www.stapriory.org/?p=535

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