COLLEYVILLE, TX. March 17, 2005 -- The Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States has recently purchased a 92-acre abbey in Corpus Christi, Texas, which is 2 hrs away from San Antonio.

With the blessings of H.H. Pope Shenouda III, the abbey has been named St. Mary & St. Moses Abbey.

It has the following features:

• It has a U shaped main building with 8 cells for Monks, a Chapel, Library, PC Lab, Nursing station, kitchen, Dining hall and some other annexes.
• There are 2 other buildings with 21 cells for Monks in each (42 cells).
• There is also the abbey's Church which will be modified according to the Coptic style.
• In the abbey there is a retreat facility for a capacity of 150 persons with sleeping rooms, lectures' hall, kitchen, dining hall, reception and other related wings.
• There is also a Book Store for books and religious items.
• There is a carpentry workshop, smithy and a garage.

The abbey belonged to the Catholic Monks (Benedict's Monasticism), and due to the passing away of some Monks and moving of others to other Monasteries, only three Monks were residing there so they decided to sell Abbey. The abbey needs maintenance and some repairs, so an architectural committee has been formed to supervise those processes.

We thank the Lord for granting us this wonderful blessing.

St. Mary & St. Moses Abbey
P.O. Box 1005
Colleyville, TX 76034-1005

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