The Monastery in Our Heart

By Brother Gregory

             When I first came to New Skete in 1996, I was much younger and had a lot more energy. Back then at the monks’ monastery we did everything, and there were no employees. Br Marc did all the road plowing and road repairs. The monks did all the cooking, dog training, and puppy program cleaning; we washed the dishes, mopped all the halls and floors, cleaned the bathrooms, cut the grass, and so much more, not to mention all the work to maintain the liturgical life of the monastery. The monks would put on their boots after Matins and breakfast at 9:00 AM and take off their boots at 9:00 PM—and, of course, don’t forget all the love and attention that the beautiful German Shepherd dogs received and gave back to us. Back then, this work schedule was not a problem, and we could handle it with energy to spare. But now it’s 2018 and 22 years later, and things at the monastery have changed, with fewer monastics and more work to do. Now we are blessed to have dedicated employees who help us to carry on the work of the monastery: internet, websites, computers, online stores, guests, tourists, meetings, and all the tasks that I mentioned earlier. For the work of our employees we are grateful. Still, it seems that the work of the monastery has increased, and it has. 

            I want to call your attention to a group of loving people who also care about the monks and nuns of New Skete. These people are the various volunteers who come here, roll up their sleeves, and help carry on the work of the monastery. These volunteers, some of whom are New Skete Companions, come from close by and far away; they walk dogs, help make beds, clear hiking trails, clean the churches, cook hot dogs and hamburgers at fundraising events, set up and take down chairs at events, and so much more. Why do these beautiful and generous people do all this work? I think it is because they see New Skete as their monastery. New Skete isn’t just a monastery for the nuns and monks; these giving people feel a special attachment and relationship to New Skete as something they are a part of, and the monastery belongs to them also. What was started 52 years ago by the monks, nuns and Companions at Emmaus House is now a gift given to the local community and beyond; people recognize New Skete as a gift, and they give back to New Skete as something they recognize as their monastery. For some people, New Skete has become the “monastery of our heart” in their lives, no matter how close or far they live from New Skete. The glue in this relationship is nothing more than the monks and nuns reflecting Jesus’ Gospel message of love to all. Many people have come to see and feel this Gospel message of love, and they give back in return; it’s an unending giving cycle of love.