It's hard to communicate the full impact of the new St. Nicholas House: the space feels so organic to the monastery that the sisters feel as though it has always been there. Yet we never cease to give thanks for all the blessings it has brought: new cells, handicap-accessible bathrooms, a baking kitchen, a library, a sewing room... the list goes on and on!

The $400,000 construction loan from the Orthodox Church Capital Improvement Fund (OCCIF) requires monthly payments and will come due in February 2028. God willing, the sisterhood hopes to pay the loan off in full at that time. The success of our year-end campaigns are critical to that process.

At the same time, even more is happening with the monastery's physical plant. Thanks to the flexibility afforded by the new house and the success of the 2023 Year-End Campaign, the sisterhood has embarked upon long-overdue repairs to other structures. St. Julianna Cottage received new electrical wiring and plumbing; St. Barbara House underwent an asbestos abatement and mold remediation, and is in process of becoming the monastery's pilgrim house. We are also about to rebuild the deck and aviary right behind St. Nicholas House, as the deck has rotted to the point of collapse.

Every donation made to the 2024 Year-End Campaign will be matched, dollar-for-dollar, thanks to a bequest from a friend of the monastery. Thank you for your prayers and support!