New Skete Monasteries News

 By Sister Cecelia The ground hogs (woodchucks) had made numerous homes under the sloped handicap entrance to the nuns’ front door. As a result, there started appearing holes in the walkway where a wheelchair or a foot could get caught. After encouraging the groundhogs to find other homes the holes were filled and to prevent the holes in the future, it seemed a good idea to use cast cement pieces to line the walkway that would prevent the holes from reappearing again. Next the walkway was smoothed and ready for laying down the Pavers. The jagged edges would be made straight by cutting each piece with a special saw. A level entrance is completed for the walk up to the front door!

 By Sister Cecelia While the addition to the bakery was being done, the 25-year-old  shingles on the newer wing of the monastery needed to be replaced.   They dated from the early 1990s, so it was time to change them. A  rental lift got the shingles up to the roof. The old shingles were  removed and tossed into a waiting box, and the lift hauled them to the dumpsters. During a very hot summer the men were up on the roof attaching the new  shingles, so we are in good shape for the next 25 to 30 years!

  By Julia Gates Recently we lost our beloved Maverick at New Skete. Typically I do not write in the newsletter, but I thought a view I’ve expressed to most dog clients would help as you read about his passing. Maverick was brought into the world as a gift. He was a little special because he could not operate his legs when he was a young pup.   With much dedication and physical therapy and commitment from my family and our Battenkill Veterinary vet, he was able to make it to the breeding world and complete many of your homes and our monastery with much life that will continue through many years.   Maverick lived a great life with many dog companions throughout his lifetime.   He touched many children at the school with his therapy work in the reading program, as well as many veterans,   nursing homes, and others.   He was a true gift. I want to touch on the topic of dogs in general but using my own experiences throughout my work to continue the gift of love for our dogs.   Our do