Temporary Sign: Corona Virus Limits Monastery Access

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By Ida Williams
Staff Member of New Skete Monastery

The sign says, “Closed.  No Guest. No Visitors. No Gift Shop.”

This is the first time in almost nine years of employment at New Skete Monasteries that I cried when I arrived at work.  
 
New Skete has always been a welcoming place.  A place of hospitality, warmth, and goodness.  And there it is.  The sign.  It might as well say, “Do Not Enter. No Trespassing.”

If this is heartbreaking to me, how much more must it be for the monks and nuns?  

No guests at meals to share stories with, no puppy socializers clapping their hands to encourage the puppies to come to them, and no parishioners to worship with during services. 

What about spiritual direction with Brother Christopher and Sister Rebecca, Brother Gregory entertaining and educating groups about the history of New Skete during tours, and retreatants seeking the quiet and solitude of the guesthouse.

Look up the definition of a monastery, and you will find “a building or buildings occupied by a community of monks living under religious vows.”  New Skete is way more than a building or buildings.  It is a community of monks and nuns along with a community of people spread throughout the world, who are and want to be connected to New Skete because of the hospitality, warmth, and Goodness.  

During the temporary closure of New Skete to visitors, the monks and nuns will further their use of technology to stay in contact with you.

·         Receive email video messages of encouragement. Make certain that newskete.org is in your safe sender list.
·         Look for video messages of encouragement on the monasteries’ Facebook page.
·         Listen to homilies on the monasteries’ Facebook page and website.
·         Follow the adventures of the puppy kennel and Brother Luke and his dogs on the Monks and Nuns of New Skete Facebook page.
·         Find inspiration on Instagram.

I encourage you to use these resources to stay connected with the monastery during these unusual times. Share your prayer requests, your concerns, and your joys.

Years ago, a co-worker said to me, interviewing for a job is good.  It makes you talk about your job in a positive manner, and you may just realize that you love your job.  (Maybe she was wanting me to leave my job.)  Working here, at New Skete, I don’t need to interview to know how I feel.

New Skete is a place of acceptance for all. 

1 Peter 3:8 Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.

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