The Big 6-0

by Ida Williams, New Skete Employee

This summer I turn the “big 6-0.”  As my oldest grandson said as we were watching fireworks one night, “That’s a big one!” It feels just like yesterday when I was saying, “I’m 50, and I can kick, and stretch, and kick.”  The average life expectancy in the United States is 79 years, so I am in the third-third of my life.   I am pondering about what my life will look like during this final third.  When will I retire; will I travel; will I become a snowbird?  At retirement age, I will have spent more than a third of my employed years working for New Skete. 

This monastery that I and so many others love will be celebrating its “big 6-0” in a few years.  Unlike me, New Skete has no thoughts of retirement or scaling back. 

During New Skete’s 50th anniversary celebration, we created a commemorative journal highlighting the Then, Now, and Tomorrow of the monastery and its work.   A copy of this journal can be viewed by clicking here.

How on track is New Skete for tomorrow since the 50th anniversary?

For those who love the monastery because they are connected through New Skete’s work with dogs, much has been accomplished for tomorrow.  At the time of the 50th anniversary we were in the final stages of building the Maurice Sendak Dog Training Center.  The monks were still training dogs out of the building that housed their gift shop, a couple of guest rooms, and a space where they smoked cheeses.  The modern facility has literally opened up big overhead doors for the training program.  We have expanded the training team to include three lay trainers and two part-time kennel attendants who work alongside Brothers Christopher and Brennan. The training facility has made it possible for us to host dog training workshops with attendees from all over the world, and to train more dogs than ever before.

The monks, with their good friend Marc Goldberg, have written three new books on the human–dog relationship and training since the 50th anniversary.  Let Dogs Be Dogs: Understanding Canine Nature and Mastering the Art of Living with Your Dog, The Art of Training Your Dog: How to Gently Teach Good Behavior Using an E-collar, and The Joy of Playing with Your Dog: Games, Tricks & Socialization for Puppies & Dogs have become the new go-to guides for dog owners.

The puppy kennel recently had a new roof installed.  In the past five months, four new dogs from Germany were introduced into the puppy program. The first litter from Iso, Brother Luke’s new male dog, just left for their forever homes.

For those who found New Skete because it was love at first bite, the nuns’ cheesecake bakery continues to flourish.   Since the 50th anniversary, a kitchen addition has been built, adding much-needed storage space and a small office.  New staff was hired to assist the nuns in the daily baking, packing, and shipping of New Skete food products.  A business relationship with Goldbelly, an online marketplace featuring America’s most legendary and iconic foods, was entered into, and the result has increased the demand for the nuns’ cheesecakes throughout the country.  New Skete Kitchens is the number one highest customer rated food producer on Goldbelly (and there are some pretty big-name chefs selling on that site).    

One of the bakers wrote a fun jingle for New Skete Kitchens, and Goldbelly used it in one of their videos.  Click here to listen and view.

For those who love New Skete because you have experienced its hospitality, you will be happy to know that steps have been taken to provide comfort, care, and new experiences for friends old and new.  Since the anniversary, Emmaus House, the guesthouse, has undergone minor renovations and the installation of new carpet throughout.  The hiking trails have been expanded.  I must admit I groan a little each time Brother Luke tells me he has created a new trail that I need to add to the map.

To provide new experiences, iconography workshops have been added to the annual events.  We are thrilled to be once again hosting an iconography workshop this spring after the pandemic hiatus.  Philip and Olga from Sacred Murals Studio will be leading the five-day class. 

For those who love the spiritual connection to New Skete, since the 50th anniversary, the Transfiguration Temple (small church) has been lovingly renovated.   Water-damaged siding was removed, a new roof and new gold onion domes were installed, a wheelchair accessible ramp was added, and the many icons that adorn the walls were cautiously cleaned by a professional service. 

At the time of the 50th anniversary, there was discussion of creating a non-residential, oblate community.  The fellowship program known as the Companions of New Skete, re-imagined from its earlier origins as a residential community, was established and consists of over 200 people from around the world, who are interested in deepening their spiritual life through their connection with New Skete.  Companions receive weekly reflections, exclusive access to videos, and participation via Zoom in guided book studies.  A copy of the Friday Five, an internal weekly newsletter, is sent to the Companions to keep them informed what is going on at the monastery.     A Companions-Only Retreat, with presentations by Brother Christopher and Sister Rebecca, is hosted in the fall.

Advances in technology have been used to streamline services. Music for the choir has been transferred to iPads.  Zoom conferences and video presentations are available to those who cannot attend events in person.  You can listen to homilies from Divine Liturgy each week through SoundCloud audio streaming service.   A YouTube channel was created featuring videos on Monastic Wisdom for the Church, Day in the Life, and Visual Prayers.  We are researching ways to provide more videos and resources to those who are unable to attend worship services in person.

While the big 6-0 for me is my third-third, New Skete will live in perpetuity.   

The world needs the light of peace, justice, mercy, and compassion that we seek to live in our work, prayer, and community.  May the Lord give you peace!