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Show MESSAGE # 11--December 1, 1971 * * * from Father Liebler Helen sturges Brother Jun iper, Ob.S.F. Joan Eskell at Hat Rock Valley Retreat Center; P.O. Box 5 Monument Valley, Utah 84536 **** **** **** **** **** **** Messages ## 1-10 have been issued at about semi-annual intervals from September, 1966. Some back numbers are still available . Ask. * * * * Many responded , to our suggestion in the last MESSENGER, and sent cards so that we could tell of the date of th~ official opening of st. Hary of the Moonlight Church; many came, and many assured us of prayers. Thanks to all! Actually, two Sundays before tn~ date settled upon, the roof-beams of the old hogan church began to give away, and although we shored them up, it didn't seem safe to gather a worshiping group of all ages into such a place, so we moved the scaffolding and tools aside and held Sunday Mass in the unfinished, but safe; building. For the opening service we borro~ ed from our friends and neighbors the Adventists about fifty folding cha irs. Not one seat was empty • . Service began with a rous i'ng hymn: "How grea t thou art!" and the excellent accoustlcs of the new church building had a chance to manifest themselves. After ~elcoming the PIgp1e (picture above), especially those who carne from a cons id erable distance, Father explained to them the difference between a parish or mission church and a public oratory. st. Mary of the. ljoonlight is in the latter category, accessible to all who would worship the true tlod through .Jesus, His only Son. He reminded them that much of the necessary money had corne from persons or groups . not belonging to the Episcopal Church. Next, he asked a simple blessing (not a formal dedication or consecration) on the building, and then blessed some accessories that had been given and/or made for us: lanterns of wrought iron (see picture on next page), a sanctuary lamp and a bell (pictured at right). The Eucharist followed. Prayers were particularly offered for all who had contributed to the cost of erecting the building and who had worked on it. As you probably know, all work was done by NavajOS, from the digging of trenches for the footings to the nailing of the shingles on the roof -- with the exception of volunteers from distant parishes and the technical work requiring licensed operators, as of installations of ~lectr~cal wiring and fixtures and heating appliances. And of course, our Brother Juniper was co-~rdinator and master builder; Joan was "interior decorator" while Heien supplied indispensable help without which' the whole prO.fect would have been impossible. She is also active in planting the landscaping alt- houp;h most of this wil1 .have to wait the coming of another Spring. |