Well, we aren’t going to make Ash Wednesday for the grand reopening of our renovated Porter’s Lodge/Gift Shop—Easter may be a more realistic date for its completion. Mike (in photo on left) and his colleagues are hard at work painting now and the new carpet goes in next week. Then we begin restocking shelves, installing the new cash register, and planning the rotation of monks and lay volunteers to staff our “Porter’s Lodge/Gift Shop/Welcome Center”. We are looking forward to the reopening and to, once again, being able to offer our guests and visitors a place of welcome, hospitality, as well as an important destination for the spiritual seeker. Keep an eye on this space for more updates!
Charles Stevenson says
February 17, 2015 at 11:09 amAs long as that chapel remains opening and welcoming to us all; as long as we can pray the Hours with you, no matter at what time and however far away, your REAL “gift shop” will never close!
Nevertheless, I do look forward to the reopening of the Porter’s Lodge. Is it too much to think that there might be a couple of benches out front, mayhap, with a Flavia machine for coffee and tea?
A blessed day and a blessed Lent to you all,
Charles Stevenson
Kurt says
February 18, 2015 at 8:11 amMr. Stevenson we are thinking along the same lines. In fact we are going to have some picnic benches in the field next to the Gift Shop and one room will be dedicated as a small chapel with soft chairs to sit and relax. As to a coffee machine? Not sure on that one. Our intent, though, is for the monastery and the Gift Shop to become more of a destination for our friends.
Cynthia Miller says
February 18, 2015 at 9:28 pmI love visiting and always enjoy in depth conversations with Fr. Vincent. I have not ventured yet past the gift shop but plan to when I visit next. It is so very peaceful there!
m. kamien says
February 19, 2015 at 1:19 pmA friendly warning about the idea of a coffee/tea machine. I had a good friend once (a seminarian at Catholic University) who practically Lived at the bookstore just off-campus because the combination of books and coffee was just too enthralling! But Nice… 🙂
I must say, the idea of a “chapel” sorta space is a Great Idea and maybe it would be comfortable enuff so that people could peruse books at leisure there?
BUT I will & do miss the Cats…
Dan Evans says
February 27, 2015 at 12:01 pmJust keep praying!