New Skete Monasteries News

by Sister Jolene In 1970 the Nuns of New Skete broke ground for their new home—Our Lady of the Sign monastery. Among many decisions to be made was the basic one of how to heat the monastery. The Sisters opted for fuel oil, and installed an in-ground oil tank in an area off the kitchen which was eventually to become a brick-paved patio. Another in-ground tank was installed when the community built the “new wing” of the monastery in 1992-93, this one in the area that is currently behind the access ramp at the front of the monastery. Fast forward a few years to 2014 when the still-functioning “old faithful” oil furnace in the original wing of the house gave warning of imminent demise. After much discussion, the Sisters decided to change to a natural gas heating system, and the old oil tank was retired. Meanwhile the brick patio had suffered the ups and downs of New York winters, responding to the alternate freezing and thawing of the ground beneath the patio. Water collected i...

Friends from near and far, thank you for participating in the inaugural New Skete “Virtual” Monk Mile Pack Walk! This recent fundraising initiative invited individuals, families, and teams to register online and raise funds through friends, family, co-workers, and those in their own communities to benefit the Monks of New Skete. This virtual online event kicked off in March and culminated on May 5, 2018, when those registered, regardless of location, took a walk with their dogs in honor of the Monks.   It was the generosity and enthusiasm of so many of you that made this unique fundraising event a great success—and certainly one that will become a tradition! Funds raised will go toward much-needed renovations to the Monks’ living quarters- starting with assessments, designs and plan development. Some fun facts about this event: ·          $30,000+: The amount of monies donated to this event to benefit the Monks of New Skete...