New Skete Monasteries News

by Brother Luke      In mid-February, my canine pathfinders Fuller and Iris had a new task before them: to see if they could find the new trail that they helped lay out last summer. Now it is covered with snow and ice. The new trail runs from our road, New Skete Lane, down to our little stream and at that point it connects with the existing Blue Trail. The idea was to create a trail that would allow guests staying at Emmaus House to access all our trails starting at Emmaus House and not have to go up the road to the kennels to begin their hike. Up until now they had access from their driveway to the trails on Two Top Mountain but not to the original trails laid out behind the two dog kennels. One of our Companions, Ed Capowich, helped lay out and clear this new trail last year. But just about the time it was ready to be used, the snows came. Probably not the best time to initiate a new trail. But with spring not that far away, I thought it would be good to let people know that it is th

By Sister Cecelia The monastic winter retreat started on January 27th. Ever since my German Shepherd Jaci left in November to make another family happy, I have contemplated how to spend my extra time with no dog to care for. I could use the basement exercise room rather than venture out into the cold, cold weather being predicted. I really appreciate retreat times, as there are so few scheduled events or time limits for any work responsibilities, so reading, thinking, meditating would not have to stop when the timer went off. No timer even needed to be set. One small book I gave particular attention to, A Theological Journey, by a Benedictine theologian, Ghislain Lafont, describes the efforts made to understand the Christian search for salvation, which the author defines as happiness. I compare it to a “reader’s digest” of theologies and philosophies through the ages. Considering the condition the world is in today, I find it most interesting to see the efforts humankind has made